The Horror of Dolores Roach season 1, episode 3 recap

The Horror of Dolores Roach Pictured (L-R): Alejandro Hernandez (Luis) and Justina Machado (Dolores Roach)
The Horror of Dolores Roach Pictured (L-R): Alejandro Hernandez (Luis) and Justina Machado (Dolores Roach) /
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In the third episode of The Horror of Dolores Roach, the story takes a gripping and intense turn as Dolores confronts the aftermath of her first murder. The episode delves deep into the unsettling consequences of her actions, sending her on a harrowing journey of cover-ups and dark revelations.

The Horror of Dolores Roach season 1, episode 3 recap

The episode opens with Dolores reflecting on the profound impact that her initial killing had on her life. She acknowledges the difficulty of taking a life but also reveals a disturbing fascination with the act itself.

Returning to the past timeline, Dolores targets Gideon Pearlman, Luis’ landlord, in a fit of rage triggered by his sexual advances. Using her brand-new massage table, she chokes him, discovering a twisted pleasure in the act. However, as she regains her senses, Dolores realizes the irreversible damage she has caused—Gideon Pearlman is dead.

Struggling to move the lifeless body, Dolores attempts to dispose of it but finds it too heavy. In a moment of panic, she retrieves the money she needs to pay him back from his pockets and flees. Frantically, she warns Luis not to enter the basement, claiming that the stairs have collapsed due to Gideon’s presence.

Determined to cover up her crime, Dolores heads to a hardware store to gather supplies—a shovel, a blade, garbage bags, tape and liquid lye. However, to her horror, she discovers that the entire store is under surveillance, capturing her every move. In an attempt to throw off suspicion, she buys balloons and snacks, pretending to host a party.

Upon her return to the basement, Dolores finds Gideon Pearlman’s body missing. Paranoia takes hold as she suspects Luis might have contacted the police or that everything was just a figment of her imagination. However, she discovers a letter from Luis assuring her that he will take care of the situation, further complicating matters. Seeking solace, she smokes a joint and succumbs to the overwhelming weight of her actions.

The Horror of Dolores Roach season 1, episode 3 recap
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 28: Jason Blum and Justina Machado attend the New York red carpet special screening for Prime Video’s ‘The Horror Of Dolores Roach’ at Regal Union Square on June 28, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Prime Video) /

When Dolores wakes up, she confronts Luis about the missing corpse, but he remains tight-lipped. Outside, Nellie, a friend of Dolores, distributes samples of Luis’ new empanadas to the public, claiming they contain a top-secret ingredient. Dolores suspects that the cuts of meat in the empanadas are derived from Gideon’s body. Confronting Luis, he nonchalantly admits to the crime, believing his cannibalistic twist on the traditional dish is a delicacy that should remain hidden. He reveals that the remainder of the corpse is in his freezer.

Dolores is horrified by Luis’ carefree attitude and challenges him about his cannibalistic plan. He justifies his actions, claiming the empanadas are a culinary masterpiece and it’s in their best interest to keep their secret hidden. Adding to the disturbing revelation, Luis confesses his love for Dolores, believing that she reciprocates his feelings. However, Dolores remains silent, using her joint as a means to escape from the mounting troubles surrounding her.

Life seemingly returns to normal over the next few days. The empanadas become a sensation, flying off the shelves and Dolores’ massage parlor continues to thrive. While she finds contentment in the present, there is an underlying worry that their supply of human meat will eventually run out.

As the episode concludes, Luis presents Dolores with a gift—a fake massage therapist certificate—to give her business a more credible appearance. This momentary normalcy brings relief to both Dolores and Luis, but their tranquility is short-lived. Jonah, the son of the missing landlord, arrives with the police, demanding to know his father’s whereabouts.

The Horror of Dolores Roach season 1, episode 3: Conclusion

Dolores does something really bad in episode 3 of The Horror of Dolores Roach. She kills the owner of the property, Mr. Pearlman. It’s her first time taking someone’s life and she feels anxious about what to do with the body. But her friend Luis has a plan of his own.

This episode is unsettling and disturbing, but it also has moments of dark humor. The suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat and you can’t help but root for Dolores, even though she has done something terrible. The quality of the Amazon Original series keeps getting better and it will be interesting to see what happens next.

You can watch The Horror of Dolores Roach only on Amazon Prime Video!