Spoilers ahead for Small Prophets Episode 2, “Is This Legal?”
Small Prophets Episode 2 follows Michael Sleep as he begins growing mysterious creatures called homunculi, hoping they will reveal what happened to his missing girlfriend, Clea. Titled “Is This Legal?”, the episode ends with something moving inside one of his jars, suggesting his father’s unusual instructions might actually work.
Michael Turns His Shed Into a Laboratory
The episode begins with Michael (Pearce Quigley) considering the strange instructions his father, Brian (Michael Palin), gave him. Brian believes that homunculi, tiny beings capable of telling the truth, can answer Michael’s questions about Clea’s disappearance seven years earlier.
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During another visit to his father’s care home, Michael discovers that Brian has been collecting water bottles for his own experiments. Although Michael initially dismisses the idea, finding some discarded jars on his way home convinces him to try the recipe.
He clears out his garden shed and begins transforming it into a makeshift laboratory. His activities attract unwanted attention from his suspicious neighbour, Clive, who is already frustrated with the mess surrounding Michael’s property.
Michael also calls in sick to concentrate on the experiment. However, he soon discovers that he needs additional supplies from the DIY store where he works.
To avoid getting caught, Michael returns to the store in disguise and asks his colleague Kacey (Lauren Patel) to collect the items. She helps him despite having little understanding of his unusual project.
Back home, Michael arranges the ingredients inside the jars, follows the instructions and recites the required incantation. With everything prepared, he waits for something to happen.
Kacey Invites Michael Out for Drinks
While waiting for the experiment to produce results, Michael receives an invitation from Kacey to join his colleagues at the pub.
He accepts, although the evening becomes uncomfortable when some coworkers begin mocking him and questioning his troubled past.
After a few drinks, Michael reveals more about his personal life. Kacey listens with genuine interest, allowing their developing friendship to take another step forward.
Their conversation also highlights how isolated Michael has become since Clea disappeared. His routine has remained largely unchanged, and he continues searching for answers that nobody else seems able to provide.
Kacey’s willingness to listen suggests she could become an important source of support as his experiment continues.
Small Prophets Episode 2 Ending Explained: What Appears Inside the Jar?
The episode ends when Michael returns home and checks the jars inside his shed.
After initially seeing little progress, he notices a strange creature appearing in the murky liquid. The movement suggests that his experiment has successfully begun creating a homunculus.
This discovery changes the direction of Michael’s search for Clea. Until now, Brian’s claims have sounded impossible, but the creature provides the first visible indication that his instructions might contain some truth.
However, the ending leaves several questions unanswered. The creature has yet to speak, and there is no confirmation that it possesses the truth-telling abilities Brian described.
Michael also remains unaware of whether the experiment will eventually help him find Clea or uncover something he would rather never know.
The episode establishes another important development through Kacey, whose growing friendship with Michael gives him someone to trust as his increasingly unusual journey continues.
For viewers following the mystery, the final scene provides the strongest reason yet to believe the supernatural elements are real.
Small Prophets Episode 2 is available on Apple TV. The six-part comedy, created by Mackenzie Crook, has also received positive critical attention, including The Guardian’s review praising its unusual combination of humour, grief and magical storytelling.
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