Recap of The Shards Episode 3: Bret's Investigation Intensifies

In the third episode of HBO's The Shards, Bret Easton Ellis's semi-autobiographical thriller continues to follow the mysterious disappearances of students at a Los Angeles high school in 1981. The episode opens with the revelation that another classmate, Julie Selwyn, has gone missing, following the earlier disappearance of Rhonda. Bret, the protagonist, becomes increasingly involved in the investigation, despite being warned to stay away from crime scenes. The episode features a roller-disco dance sequence set to The Police's 'Don't Stand So Close to Me,' during which Rhonda is abducted. Bret discovers a bloody iguana hidden under a uniform jacket, hinting at further violence. The show also explores themes of youth, fear, and the cultural zeitgeist of the early 1980s, including references to Joan Didion's 'The White Album' and the concept of 'spooky season.' The episode ends on a cliffhanger as Bret stumbles upon a dark room, while Rhonda's captor prepares to kill her. The recap, written by a Vogue contributor, offers a humorous and personal commentary on the episode's plot, characters, and cultural references, including the performances of Ivy Wolk as Rhonda and Kaia Gerber as a smoking student. The series is produced by Ryan Murphy and is based on Ellis's novel of the same name.