The seventh episode of ‘The Girl from Plainville,’ titled ‘Teenage Dirtbag,’ delves deep into Michelle’s trial in the aftermath of Conrad’s suicide. Dr. Peter Breggin, the defense’s star witness, makes some compelling points and calls attention to the potential role of pharmaceuticals that both Conrad and Michelle were taking at the time in the tragedy.

As the courtroom drama unfolds, we catch glimpses of Michelle and Conrad discussing his “plan” to make his death appear to be an accident. The plot has reached a crossroads, and Michelle’s fate is in jeopardy. Let’s take a deeper look at Episode 7 of ‘The Girl from Plainville.’ WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.

Recap of The Girl from Plainville Episode 7

The episode picks up from the cliffhanger of episode 6, as Michelle finally hears back from Conrad. She tells him how terrified she was when he didn’t respond, and the two gradually start talking quietly. Conrad says at one point that he doesn’t want to fail the next time he attempts suicide. Michelle answers sympathetically, suggesting that he should be open to try anything. Finally, Conrad declares that there is nothing anyone can do to prevent him from killing himself.

Meanwhile, Dr. Breggin is called as a witness in Michelle’s 2017 trial. He rapidly convinces the court with his in-depth professional knowledge of the effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicines on a person’s behavior. He blames both Michelle and Conrad’s conduct on their antidepressant drugs, claiming the former experienced “involuntary intoxication” in the days leading up to Conrad’s death.

In flashbacks from early July 2014, just weeks before Conrad’s death, we witness him and Michelle discussing ways for him to commit himself. The adolescent wants it to appear as an accident so that no one feels bad about his death. Michelle periodically becomes overwhelmed by Conrad’s apparent impending death and confides in her friend Natalie. Michelle notifies her friend that Conrad is gone at one point, worried that he is ready to carry out his “plan.”

Is Michelle Going to Prison in The Girl from Plainville Episode 7?

Back in the “present-day” timeline, prosecutor Katie Rayburn is frustrated by Dr. Breggin’s testimony and struggles to contradict it at first. She eventually persuades him to accept that his initial diagnosis of Michelle may have been incorrect. The prosecution also successfully casts doubt on the doctor’s premise of involuntary intoxication. Michelle and her family accompany her sister to her sister’s performance after a day in court, but she suffers from a terrifying vision while seated in the audience.

The episode closes with Michelle’s defense in jeopardy as flaws begin to surface in Dr. Breggin’s testimony. After first making it appear as if Michelle was acting under the influence of her medicine, the prosecution forces the doctor to confess that involuntary intoxication is not a diagnosable condition. Messages from Michelle offering ways for Conrad to commit suicide are also submitted in court. For the first time, it appears like Michelle’s soon-to-be-announced verdict may not go her way. If Michelle is convicted of manslaughter, as the prosecution requires, she might face a sentence of twenty years in prison.

What is Michelle’s opinion of Conrad among her friends?

Though Michelle and Conrad appear remarkably calm even as they debate ways for Conrad to commit himself, the idea of his death weighs heavily on Michelle. She becomes enraged when Cassie makes a joke about their relationship, and finally, under strict confidentiality, she informs Natalie about Conrad.

The specifics of what Michelle tells Natalie are not shown, but it appears that she informs Natalie that Conrad intends to commit suicide. However, it appears that Michelle is not being totally truthful with Natalie. Michelle informs Natalie that Conrad is missing after a particularly terrifying incident in which he sends her a message stating, “see you in the next life.”

Michelle’s communication, in which she lies to Natalie, is one of her most perplexing deeds. Though it appears at first that Michelle is reaching out to Natalie for assistance, Michelle’s falsehood later makes it appear that she has different plans. Michelle isn’t lying to conceal up Conrad’s plan because she has pledged Natalie to silence.

However, by claiming that he is missing even when he isn’t, Michelle appears to be seeking pity. It’s also likely that she’s attempting to establish an alibi for herself, and that by claiming he’s missing, she’s attempting to remove herself from Conrad’s death. Though it is unclear why Michelle informs Natalie that Conrad has gone missing, it is clear that the former is not being completely truthful.