Previously on Episode 1 of Prime’s Sterling Point, we are introduced to Annie and her twin brother Connor, who learn that their estranged grandfather, Gordon, has left them his island, Sterling Point. Annie sneaks away from their father to travel to Muskoka, only to learn that there’s a whole other life she doesn’t know about. She meets Oona, Ellis, Sully, and Maple, who help her get to know the island. Annie also runs into her childhood friend, Rory. Annie slowly starts to learn that there are secrets about her family.
The episode begins with Gordon’s granddaughter, Ramona, coming home to find that someone has been staying at the lake house. That’s when Annie comes inside, and they startle each other. Ramona tells her to pack her things and leave. Annie makes a comment about the pictures of her mom and finds out that she and Ramona are half-sisters. Annie’s kicked out of the cottage, and Ramona finds her crying on the steps, so she tells her she can sleep on the couch for the night.
In the morning, Annie leaves the cottage in a canoe, but she loses the paddle in the water. Rory finds her and saves the day.
Ramona reunites with Sully, Oona, Ellis, and Maple to work as the marina crew. Oona voices her worries about Ramona when she was taking care of Gordon while he was dying. Later, they all go swimming, and Ramona learns that they all know about Annie.
At Rory’s, Annie calls Connor and tells him about Ramona. She also tells him about the divorce filing and that Sterling Point is an island. Connor tells her that Oliver came out as gay. Connor tells her to continue finding information on their family and what’s going on.
The group goes back to the house so that Ramona can check to see if Annie is there and if she stole anything. Before leaving, Ramona notices that Annie stole a picture of their mom.
Rory’s mom is hosting an event, which Oona and Sully are working at as caterers. Annie asks Rory’s mom what she meant about the divorce, and learns that her mother would take her and Connor to Muskoka when they were little. Suddenly, Annie has a panic attack. Next, Ramona, Ellis, and Oona confront Annie. Annie tells Ramona that they’re sisters. Ramona tells her to get in the boat, and they leave the others. Alone, Annie tells her everything about Gordon, their mom, Connor, and all she’s found out so far. Ramona says that they’re not sisters because she’s adopted and that she wants her to leave the island.
Oona goes over to the cottage to see Ramona. Ramona has a letter from Gordon that she hasn’t opened yet, and decides to have Oona read it instead. After reading it, she tells Ramona that Annie isn’t lying.
Annie goes back to the cottage to talk to Ramona, who decides to let her stay.
This episode explores two major themes that go hand-in-hand: the unknown and identity. There’s already so much Annie didn’t know about Gordon and now, she has a sister in a total stranger. It makes her realize she doesn’t know the truth full about the people around her. And both Annie and Ramona’s identities are challenged, as they become unsure of who they are and where they come from. Ramona grew up believing she was essentially alone, with only Gordon as her family. And while Annie always knew what Goldie was like from stories, meeting Ramona makes her question how much she actually knows about her mother.
Overall, this was a good second episode. Learning that Ramona had been taking care of Gordon, and that she’s now all alone, is heartbreaking; not even aware that she had other family. Amélie Hoeferle is incredible as Ramona, a girl who doesn’t trust easily and has a lonely background. Now that Ramona is letting Annie stay, what’s to come in the next episode?
Rating: 9/10