The Spectacular

Marion travels to Creedmoor State Hospital to speak with Peter. Noticing the beautiful garden, she comments positively about the institution. Disgruntled, Peter tells Marion that all his patients are prescribed Thorazine upon arrival, effectively numbing them mentally and physically. The drug keeps the patients docile, but it also prohibits their ability to improve. Peter has been experimenting with profiling his patients. He analyzes their behavior every six months to recognize patterns and make predictions about their safety and tendencies for violence.

Marion realizes that Peter doesn’t know about the bomb at Radio City, and she finds his lack of pity refreshing. She shares her idea that Peter could create a profile of the Big Apple Bomber for the police. Peter doesn’t believe the police will be open to working with a psychiatrist. He reassures Marion that the police will catch the Big Apple Bomber and suggests she focus on her work. Feeling patronized, Marion shouts at Peter, telling him the police aren’t actively looking for anyone; they’re simply hoping to catch the bomber in the act. She recounts how dismissive the police acted toward her even though she is the only one to have actually seen the Big Apple Bomber. She dislikes Peter’s attempt to tell her what to do with her life. Peter agrees to consider Marion’s proposition before ushering her to the exit. Marion returns to Radio City and the Rehearsal Club, where she continues her work. She envies the other performers, who seem “normal,” while she feels entirely out of place. Peter calls. Having done some research, he now knows about Judy. He apologizes for Marion’s loss and offers to help with the investigation.

Mrs. Hornsby’s son, Tommy, works with the NYPD, and he assists Marion and Peter in securing a meeting with Detective Ogden and Captain Somers. Both men, especially Ogden, doubt Peter’s ability to create a criminal profile of the Big Apple Bomber. When Marion appeals to Somers emotionally, he agrees to allow Peter one hour to look through the Big Apple Bomber file.

Peter deduces that the Big Apple Bomber likely has paranoid schizophrenia. He believes that the man lives with his mother or sister, had a troubled relationship with his father in childhood, is a Slavic immigrant, and lives in Connecticut. Peter thinks the man is a perfectionist who disrespects authority and surmises that he likely worked for Met Power and is now becoming increasingly irate and dangerous. Somers and Ogden react condescendingly, not wanting to take advice from someone outside of law enforcement. They tell Peter not to worry about typing up his notes, and Marion realizes that Somers was merely humoring her by allowing Peter to profile the Big Apple Bomber. Peter and Marion leave police headquarters, feeling like they wasted their time. Peter feels embarrassed and admits to experiencing similar dismissal from his colleagues at Creedmoor. He suggests that they leave the investigation to Somers and Ogden.

Marion participates in another three weeks of performances. Looking forward to resting during her week off, Bunny reveals her plans with Dale, whom she still dates even though he remains married. Mr. Leonidoff intercepts Marion before she leaves for the week. He compliments her dancing but states that she stands out too much from the other Rockettes, ruining the illusion that the dancers create by performing in unison. Marion panics, afraid that she might lose her job.

Peter meets Marion outside of Radio City, telling her that another bomb just exploded in the Paramount Theater in Times Square. The incident did not result in injury or death. Somers wants to speak with Peter again, and Peter insists that Marion accompany him. Peter apologizes for acting like a defeatist. Marion and Peter grab dinner together, and Peter shares personal stories from his past. During Peter’s sophomore year at college, Peter’s mother experienced symptoms of a psychotic episode. After being forced into a mental health institution, she died by suicide. At the police station, several police officers take notes while Peter restates his hypothesis about the Big Apple Bomber’s profile. The authorities treat Peter and Marion with respect, asking several follow-up questions. Peter asks why they have changed their attitude, and Somers reports that an usher from the Radio City saw the bomber and recognized him as an Eastern European immigrant. The police ask Marion to look at the sketch created from the usher’s description, and Marion recognizes the same man from Radio City. Marion resents the fact that the police trust an usher’s recollection of the Big Apple Bomber more than her own simply because the usher is male.

Knowing that Simon is nearby in Manhattan for a work event, Marion stops by to surprise him. They exchange warm pleasantries, and Simon expresses how much he misses Marion. Marion notices Simon’s hand occasionally shaking. She reports on her and Peter’s assistance with the Big Apple Bomber case. Simon makes sarcastic remarks, disbelieving that Marion can be of assistance and not liking her connection to such a dangerous man. Marion realizes how scared Simon feels and reassures him that she is safe. She changes the conversation to her work for the Rockettes, which does little to alleviate Simon's distress.

Later that week, Marion receives a threatening letter from the Big Apple Bomber. Marion takes the letter to Peter before going to the police, and Peter notices several inconsistencies between the new letter and the Big Apple Bomber’s previous notes. He doesn’t believe that the real Big Apple Bomber sent Marion a letter. Still, he agrees to accompany Marion to the police station to report the threat. They leave the Salvation Army, where Peter volunteers.

Ogden is the one to examine Marion’s letter, not Somers. Peter quickly asserts that the sender isn’t the Big Apple Bomber, but Ogden isn’t so sure. He takes the letter for further investigation while Marion and Peter wait in the lobby. Ogden emerges shouting in a celebratory fashion that they have caught the Big Apple Bomber because Vincent Hardenby of Westchester County, a former Met Power employee, has a record of stealing items from worksites. Marion and Peter know that Ogden is chasing the wrong man, and they fear that the real Big Apple Bomber will set off another bomb to prove the police wrong.

Peter offers to cook Marion lunch at his apartment nearby. Marion admires Peter’s home and imagines relaxing there after a busy day. Finding a space to unwind is more challenging at the Rehearsal Club, which houses dozens of other women. Marion spots the New York Times crossword; having watched Simon complete the Sunday puzzle for years, Marion has taken up the habit herself after moving away, wanting to stay close to Simon somehow. Peter reveals that he often writes the puzzles for the New York Times, and Marion is in awe of Peter’s intelligence, capability, and desire to do good in the world. They talk about their families. Peter becomes distraught and short with Marion when she asks about his father. Overwhelmed by thinking about lost relatives and distant fathers, Marion begins to cry. Peter rushes to her side, comforting her and acknowledging her feelings in an understanding, meaningful way. He kisses Marion gently, and Marion realizes that she never felt such passion during affectionate moments before. Peter pulls back and apologizes, telling Marion that neither he nor Marion needs the distraction of a romance. Marion thinks about Peter’s kiss for the rest of the day.