Found’s second season has been packed with unexpected twists and dramatic turns, captivating audiences week after week. The latest episode continues this thrilling trend, featuring a gripping storyline in which Gabi (Shanola Hampton) finds herself held hostage by a man she once helped wrongfully imprison. In a shocking revelation, the episode uncovers that the enigmatic lawyer, Heather Tollin (Danielle Savre), is not only an accomplice of Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) but also his sister, Lena. Our predictions about Lena’s identity as Sir’s accomplice were made back in December, and we speculated about “Heather” being Lena as early as January. The implications of Sir’s sister aiding him in his nefarious plans raise pressing questions: What does it mean for Gabi that the person assisting Sir is also his sibling?

Lena Perceives Gabi as the Villain Instead of Sir

As Found’s second season unfolds, it delves into the complex dynamics of how true crime narratives shape public perception, often blurring the lines between victim and perpetrator. This theme is strikingly illustrated when the in-universe internet turns against Gabi the moment Sir performs a seemingly heroic act by saving a young kidnapped girl. While we, as the audience, are aware that Sir’s motivation is to assert Gabi’s dependency on him, society is all too eager to vilify a victim when the opportunity arises. Strangers observing Gabi’s trauma may perceive Sir as a hero, but those who truly know him recognize him as an irredeemable monster. Gabi understands this truth, as does Lacey. Even Christian, their younger brother, who was shielded from their mother’s abuse, acknowledges Sir’s wrongdoings. Yet, for reasons that remain unclear, Lena fails to see this reality.

Throughout earlier texts in the season, Lena refers to Gabi as a “traitor.” In a tense confrontation at their old high school, Lena physically assaults Gabi when she attempts to confront Sir. Lena’s efforts to distance her brother from Gabi are apparent; she even questions the validity of Gabi’s testimony regarding her kidnapping while masquerading as Heather. Overall, Lena’s hostility towards Gabi starkly contrasts with Christian’s understanding and empathy. In a recent TV Insider interview, actress Danielle Savre, who portrays Lena, explained that Lena “believes that her brother is completely innocent” because “she’s been brainwashed her whole life.” However, I believe there are deeper complexities at play.

Exploring Lena’s Feelings of Replacement by Gabi

Deep down, it seems that Lena understands Gabi is not a liar. Yet, it is more comforting for Lena to view Gabi as a nefarious, traitorous manipulator aiming to win over her brother than to confront the uncomfortable truth. The reality is that Sir has abandoned his biological family to forge a new bond with Gabi. From Lena’s perspective, it may feel as though Gabi has taken her place in Sir’s life.

Sir is deliberate in the language he uses to describe his relationship with Gabi. While he may aim to present them as husband and wife during their time in the Netherlands, he emphasizes that their connection is fundamentally familial. He explicitly tells Christian that although they share blood, Gabi is his “family.” At the farmhouse, he even instructs Gabi to pledge her loyalty not to her father but to him. Although the nature of Gabi and Sir’s relationship is complicated, a significant aspect of it is Sir’s role as a paternal figure—a role he’s familiar with.

In his youth, Sir became a parental figure for both of his siblings after the tragic passing of their mother. Despite being just a child himself, Sir was thrust into the position of caretaker for his younger siblings. This forced responsibility has left him with deep-seated feelings of anguish and resentment, particularly concerning Christian, who received preferential treatment. Sir’s disdain for being thrust into that role at such a young age is palpable, but I believe he also harbors resentment over the lack of appreciation for his sacrifices.

One might assume that after experiencing a childhood where he had to act as a parent, Sir would seek solace in being cared for himself. However, this is not the dynamic he pursues with Gabi. While he may have relished the few moments during his captivity when Gabi was compelled to care for him, his primary aim appears to be to protect Gabi and be acknowledged for his efforts. The relationship between Gabi and Sir is far too intricate to be defined by a singular dynamic. A significant part of Sir’s motivations seems to revolve around a desire to recreate the conditions of his childhood, but in a context where his efforts are recognized and valued. Essentially, he seeks a second chance.

From Lena’s viewpoint, it is likely that she feels Sir has supplanted her with Gabi. Considering the timeline, Lena would have just transitioned into adulthood when Sir took Gabi into his life. Imagine the emotional turmoil of being a young woman witnessing a man who has acted as a father figure obsessively praising another girl he wishes to adopt as his own daughter. Just as Sir resents Lacey for “stealing” Gabi, Lena seems to harbor similar feelings of resentment toward Gabi for taking her brother and father figure away.

Lena channels these feelings into her brief romance with Trent, which ends abruptly after she decides to represent Sir. Even Lena’s other brother, Christian, appears to have “chosen” Gabi over her when he assists Gabi in locating Sir. Repeatedly, the men in Lena’s life seem to prefer Gabi over her. While it’s clear that Sir would never want Gabi harmed, this recurring theme of being overlooked suggests Lena’s feelings may lead her down a darker path. Speculation has arisen that Lena may have been the one responsible for their abusive mother’s death, not Sir. Given her perception of Gabi as an adversary and a traitor, it is plausible that Lena has already resorted to violence to protect her brother. Gabi could be in jeopardy not just from potential kidnapping this season, but from a murder attempt as well. Whether driven by a desire to safeguard her brother from Gabi’s testimony or as an act of revenge against the woman she views as her usurper, I suspect Lena may contemplate taking Gabi’s life.

New episodes of Found air every Thursday at 10 p.m. EST on NBC. Viewers in the U.S. can also stream episodes on Peacock.