Episode Title: Season 1, Episode 9

A bitter winter chill settles over Milbridge, prompting Myra to serve up a controversial new lunch special: the "Conked Out Fish Sandwich," a spin on a Caribbean conch fritter using local oysters and clams. Regulars Aiden and Caiden are bewildered by the "chopped fish" concept but are eventually won over, leading Aiden to make a clumsy and ill-fated romantic confession to Myra right in the middle of the lunch rush.

Meanwhile, Gordon prepares for a trip to Portland to advise Myra's ex-husband, Glenn, on how to spot faked boat damage for his new insurance job—or perhaps how to commit it. Myra frets that her son Ethan's holiday visit to his girlfriend's stable family will make him resent his own "messed up" upbringing.

Later that evening, the new artist in town, Neil, shares his backstory with Boots Morrin, revealing how a wild trip to Europe and a Swiss DJ named "Sugar" inspired his artistic freedom. The night ends with Boots and Gordon leaving together, sparking gossip about the nature of their relationship.

Major Themes

• Culinary Innovation vs. Tradition: Myra continues to challenge the locals' palates, this time reinterpreting a tropical dish (Conch Fritters) with New England ingredients (clams, oysters, barley), causing confusion but ultimately delight.
• The Ethics of Survival: Gordon discusses the gray areas of maritime life, explaining how desperate fishermen might fake accidents for insurance money when the catch is poor, and debating whether Glenn will stay "on the straight and narrow".
• Parental Insecurity: Myra's fear that her son will prefer his girlfriend's "normal" family highlights her own insecurities about being a single mother and the chaotic environment she raised him in.
• Artistic Freedom: Neil shares his philosophy that art is about feeding the audience what they want, while also holding onto the lesson from his muse to "paint whatever I want" and be free.
• Romantic Missteps: Aiden's awkward proposal to Myra—suggesting they "climb to the top" of the culinary world together—is met with a harsh rejection, reinforcing Myra's independence and professional pride.

Episode Title: Season 1, Episode 8

Episode Synopsis Myra returns from her whirlwind trip to Florida with Kirini's Aunt Linda, bursting with culinary inspiration. From authentic Spanish tapas to a surprisingly gourmet buffet at "Cheetah 3," Myra is ready to revolutionize the menu at Sharkey’s Place. She also shares a personal update: her relationship with Sam the Butcher is heating up, much to Kirini's delight.

The episode delves into the backstory of Kirini's arrival in Maine. She reveals to local author Boots Morrin how she transitioned from waiting tables at her family's diner on Long Island to cleaning up Sharkey's Place and standing up to the Boston mob.

Later, the melancholic Captain Gordon arrives, reciting Shakespeare and lamenting the loneliness of a life at sea. His poetic melancholy sparks a debate between Kirini and Boots about the emotional needs of men and the strength required for women to remain independent.

Major Themes

• Culinary Awakening: Myra's trip exposes her to new flavors (tapas, ceviche, fresh citrus) and service styles (wine-skins), motivating her to elevate the pub's food beyond standard fare.
• The "Clean" Business: Kirini explains her business philosophy: transforming Sharkey's from a mob-money laundry into a legitimate, safe community hub by improving quality and cutting ties with organized crime.
• Performance and Perception: Sandra discusses her "Queen Bee" persona as a business strategy to maximize tips, while Myra and Kirini discuss the power dynamics of the "male gaze" in art and life.
• Loneliness vs. Independence: The script contrasts Gordon's performative loneliness with Kirini's stoic independence. Boots and Kirini debate whether caring for men like Gordon makes a woman weak or human.
• Hidden Depths: Characters reveal unexpected layers—Myra finds gourmet food in a strip club, and the gruff fisherman Gordon quotes Hamlet and Macbeth fluently.

"Neil, the Painter, comes to Town"
As the autumn air turns crisp, the activity at Sharkey’s Place shifts from the summer rush to the steady rhythm of the locals. This week, a stranger named Neil Ruffin walks into the bar looking for "winter light" and a workshop. A painter from Philadelphia, Neil shakes up the daily routine, hiring Sandra for a high-paying—and surprising—modeling session.

Meanwhile, the "Inky Squid" duo, Aiden and Caiden, attempt to woo the famous artist to their establishment, only to fall for one of Sandra’s pranks involving a flex-off in the kitchen. While Myra serves up a "World Series Dog" that leaves her rivals speechless , Neil opens up to Gordon and Myra about his harrowing time in the Navy and the personal journey that led him to his art.

Key Themes

• Artistic Authenticity: Neil’s philosophy on painting "authentic" nudes rather than idealized forms, and his search for truth in his subjects.
• The Echoes of War: The lingering effects of combat and trauma, explored through Neil's backstory of being captured in Basra and his subsequent need for quiet and creative expression.
• Small Town Hospitality: How the community—including Kirini, Gordon, and Myra—quickly mobilizes to provide housing and workspace for a stranger.
• Culinary Pride: The comic but genuine rivalry between the deckhands of the Inky Squid and Myra’s superior culinary training.