**Trigger Warning: The following recap deals with themes of mental and physical abuse**
Throughout episodes 1 and 2 of The Idol, we were introduced to Jocelyn, a pop star who is gearing up for her comeback album. Following the death of her mom, she is learning to function again, to varying results. Moreover, we were introduced to Tedros, a shady club owner who takes a special interest in Jocelyn. The two are embarking on a relationship that is likely to be filled with toxicity and shenanigans. In Episode 3, "Daybreak," it becomes clear that Tedros is an abuser who will stop at nothing to get what he wants.
Tedros Makes "The Idol" Unsettling
Firstly, the episode begins with Leia driving Tedros and Jocelyn who are in the backseat of a convertible. The two begin to hook up in an explicit fashion in broad daylight, much to the chagrin of Leia. Subsequently, they get to the Valentino store where Tedros immediately begins to control the situation. He starts to pick out Joss' clothes and even threatens one of the stylists. The stylist had looked at Jocelyn in a way that Tedros didn't like, which ultimately led to the exchange of pleasantries. This all prompts Leia to call Chaim and Destiny, who are already sketched out about Tedros.
Additionally, this phone call leads to a flashback in which Tedros calls Leia an ableist slur over breakfast. Moreover, he gets mad at Jocelyn's team member Andres, who compliments her body. Tedros makes vague threats toward the man and then forces Jocelyn to fire him on the spot. She goes ahead and does it, which fills Leia with existential dread over how Tedros has taken over the house.
The Rebirth Of A Pop Star
After the shopping spree, Chaim and Destiny meet Tedros for the first time. It is here that we learn that Jocelyn has scrapped her entire album and only has a few weeks to submit something. However, Chaim is a huge fan of the song that Tedros and Joss recorded together. He is subsequently floored by the revelation that Mike Dean is coming over to help produce some records. Despite Leia's efforts to get Joss' managers involved, they come out loving Tedros, and the existential dread sets in, once again.
Tedros then has a conversation with Xander, Joss' creative director. Xander reveals that he is creatively spent as Joss' team doesn't really allow for very much creativity. Furthermore, Joss herself has been very hesitant to take risks. He then suggests that they should make the sexually explicit photo her next album cover. Unsurprisingly, Tedros is absolutely in love with this idea and it leads to a bit of a bond between the two. It now seems like Tedros has found a "competent" person within Joss' camp that he can trust.
As for Jocelyn, she goes to a recording session with Chloe, Izaak, and more of Tedros' friends. Here, we get a sense that Joss has no interest in opening up about her mom. Izaak tries to pressure her and tells her that no one in Tedros' camp can say "no." This prompts her to ask Izaak to kiss her, but he ironically says no. Although, for good reason as he knows what the consequences would be as Tedros has proven himself to be maniacal.
"The Idol" Reaches Uncomfortable Territory
Things eventually get extremely dark as Jocelyn, Tedros, Leia, Xander, Izaak, and more sit at the dinner table outside. While speaking about her new music, Tedros reveals Xander's idea about the sexually explicit photo. Joss seems enthused, however, it eventually leads to her admitting that the photo sucks and that she wants to be taken seriously. Subsequently, Tedros gets on her case about this and begins telling her that she needs to start taking risks. Joss isn't so sure but Xander starts to gang up on her and it everything unravels from there. We then find out that the last song Joss actually wrote herself was called "Daybreak," a year and a half prior, when Jocelyn's mom was still alive.
This is where the upsetting nature of the episode kicks in. Tedros coerces Jocelyn into explaining why her mom was so pivotal in her life. That's when she reveals that her mom abused her with a hairbrush. She would beat Joss with the hairbrush whenever she seemed "unfocused" or "unmotivated" and she learned to live with it. Consequently, when her mom passed away, she felt lost and as though she could not function without the abuse. Stunned, Tedros asks Joss if the abuse would be worth it should she create some of the best music of all time. A tearful Jocelyn answers affirmatively.
A Sad Finale
The episode ends with Tedros getting the hairbrush from Jocelyn, and beating her with it. It is made clear that Tedros wants to continue the cycle of abuse because he believes that's how the music will get made. The following morning, Joss thanks Tedros for what he's done, and the episode ends. Overall, it is a shocking, heartbreaking, and upsetting turn of events that may just turn a lot of viewers away from this show for good. It's hard to fathom where The Idol goes from here.
