Tonight on Showtime Emmy Award-winning drama Ray Donovan airs with an all-new Sunday, October 1, 2017, episode and we have your Ray Donovan recap down below. On tonight’s Ray Donovan season 5 episode 8 episode called, “Horses,” as per the Showtime synopsis, “A last-ditch medical trial sends Ray on a dark mission in New York. Alone in LA, Abby turns to Terry and Bridget to help her make the toughest decision of her life.”
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In a flashback, Abby Donovan (Paula Malcomson) stares at a painting of horses as Terry (Eddie marsan) walks towards her, explaining where he got the photo. She says she likes it. She walks out the door as Ray (Liev Schreiber) and Bunchy (Dash Mihok) are drilling in the sign in front of the bar; Abby gets a call, she understands and appreciates everything they have done, instead of telling Ray about what transpired she takes a walk to the pharmacy, where she talks to the pharmacist.
At home, Ray finds Abby in the bedroom, he talks about the bar starting to look really good; she tells him she is tired. He tells her to close her eyes and he gives her a present of a diamond and sapphire necklace; she thinks it is beautiful and he insists she wear it at the party tomorrow, Conor’s (Devon Bagby) graduation and Bridget’s (Kerris Dorsey) wedding, etc.
She thanks him for being thoughtful as he takes a moment in the bathroom. She notices a white butterfly and she calls out to him revealing the doctor called and she isn’t one of the patients set for the surgery. He is furious that she was the perfect candidate, she is relieved because she doesn’t have to worry about all the side effects, she wants to enjoy the opening of the bar and he will be by her side as she says goodbye.
Ray notices the pharmacy bag and he knows what it is for but takes it and flushes the drugs down the toilet. He returns with his suitcase and says he is going to New York as she reminds him they agreed for her to chose her ending; he says she is getting that surgery and in 10 years from now they will be drinking at the bar and laughing about this. She nods as he tells her he loves her. Ray leaves the house and calls Lena (Katherine Moennig) demanding to know how they got a hold of Abby instead of her and then wants names and addresses of everyone on the surgery list.
Abby lays down on the bed, holding the box with the necklace in. Ray meets with Lena at the office and rushes off to catch the flight. He is going through the files and opens Smitty’s (Graham Rogers) file; Avi (Steven Bauer) is sure his contact in Columbia will help them; he says giving him meningitis won’t kill him but will disqualify him from the trial.
Meanwhile, Terry comes to take care of Abby who reveals that Ray threw away her suicide pills, and she didn’t get into the trial. Terry says Ray is doing the right thing, trying to make her better; she wants to know if anyone cares what she wants and tells him to pick up the prescription and it’s better that Ray isn’t here for this. She pleads with Terry to do it for her.
In New York, Ray calls Avi, demanding to know where he is. Lena confirms that she knows Ray has been waiting for Avi, but he won’t be coming because he got arrested for buying heroine. Ray rushes off to the precinct, where Avi admits his addiction to him and how it got out of control. Ray eerily tells him he was counting on him, he promises if he bails him out within 12 hours he can work it out. Ray doesn’t have the time and demands the address.
Bridget helps her mom get dressed, and puts her makeup on. Bridget tells her mother she is beautiful and questions why her dad is in New York if she isn’t doing through the trial; Bridget wants to know why her mom won’t do any treatment and Abby explains how she wants to be in control; the one pulling the trigger. Terry is at the pharmacy, buying several items with the prescription.
Ray comes to see the woman, who is supposed to be Avi’s contact. She says she is a doctor and he has the wrong person as he shoves his way into the house. She grabs a knife and begins swinging at him; he finally forces her to drop the knife but as they struggle, she finds her gun but when he gets control of it, she reveals where the vial is that he needs. Ray watches in silence as the world goes by.
Bridget and Abby arrive for the opening of the bar, she smiles as the bar’s name is Abby’s and it’s all her! She thinks it looks great as Mickey (Jon Voight) tells everyone to cross their fingers as the owner is there for inspection. She jokes that she will kick his ass later in pool. She is impressed with Daryll (Pooch Hall) and all the work Ray put into it.
Ray walks through the hospital, where the patients who are about to start their trial are there. He finds Jacob “Smitty” Smith is resting. He grabs a glove and syringe, cleans himself in a bathroom, gives himself a look in the mirror and prepares the syringe; walks into Smitty’s room, and closes the door.
Abby is dancing with Conor, watching everyone in the bar, smiling when Mickey feels she should give a speech. Bunchy gives her a drink, joking to Terry that she is shaking like a leaf. She loves that everyone is there but feels it important for them to keep an eye on each other, and this is the family she chose; they cheers her.
Ray drinks on the plane, as Mickey talks away at the bar and Abby stares into the painting of the horses on the wall. She gets up and walks to the bathroom and begins to vomit up blood. She falls over, holding a napkin where Bridget finds her terrified. Bridget says she is calling 911 but her mother tells her no more doctors and asks Bridget to help her go outside. Terry sees them going towards the door and tells Abby he has her and helps her walk to the back alley; he sets up a crate for her to sit on.
Abby tells Bridget she is okay, tells her to go inside and make apologies for her and she is a little tired; Bridget breaks down and says she can’t do this. Abby calms her down and reminds her to remember what she did for her, and she will be proud. Terry sits beside her as she asks for a cigarette and says it’s not a joke. Terry lies but she demands it, and he hands her one; he says he is going to hell for this.
Ray reads Smitty’s file as the plane hits turbulence. He closes his eyes and flashes back to those moments in Smitty’s room when he injected the illness into his IV. Terry helps Abby back into the house and into her bed, he makes her comfortable and when he rubs her feet she says she is just going to sleep for a while. He goes to get her candy and ginger ale as she requested but Bridget returns home as he delivers the bag to Abby.
In the plane, Ray sees a white butterfly and looks confused. At home, Terry and Bridget play cards while Abby rests upstairs. Abby removes her necklace and lays it in the box with the photos and places it under Ray’s pillows. She pauses and then picks up the bottle of pills, empties them into a glass; Terry comes into the room and asks her what he is supposed to do, she asks him to help her. He bravely walks over and helps empty the medication into her glass. He says he has to say something and she says she knows, he apologizes for shaking.
Bridget walks in and sees the glass; Abby says to her she doesn’t need one more day. She takes the bottle of ginger ale and pours it into the glass for her mom. Abby swirls the liquid around before she drinks it all; it tastes awful but Bridget and Terry stay with her.
As the plane lands, Ray’s phone rings and he learns there is a spot open in the trial surgery now. He smiles at the offer, takes a moment and tries to call Abby, who doesn’t answer. He tells her to call back as soon as she can. Terry and Bridget remain at Abby’s side. She makes Bridget promise to be strong and then says she is going to take a little nap. Terry kneels down beside the bed and holds her hand as Abby asks them if they hear that – it’s the sound of horses!
Ray is in the car on the way home, when he calls Bunchy concerned that he couldn’t get a hold of Abby. Bunchy says Abby was happy and it was a good day, and Ray reveals he got Abby in the trial and Bunchy is thrilled, saying they are in his prayers. The driver shares the beautiful night with Ray, who is rather talkative and in a good mood. He continues to call Abby, who is smiling as she is more and more at peace; she finally closes her eyes as Bridget silently cries.
Outside the room, Terry holds Bridget after her mom has passed away, both staring at each other in silence. Terry walks away as Bridget breaks down outside the room. Ray returns to hearing his daughter crying, he rushes up the stairs and asks her what happened. He opens the bedroom door and finds Abby peacefully on the bed.
He approaches her, looks at the night stand, sees the pills and cries out “Why Sweetheart?” puts his hands on his head before he breaks down sobbing. Ray wipes the tears off his face and again cries out “WHY?” as he holds her. Bridget walks in, saying sorry but he shouts at her to get the hell out!! He lays his head on hers, kisses her cheek and just holds on to her, slowly sliding to the floor.
Terry returns to the bar where Mickey, Daryl and Bunchy are singing, happy and drunk. Terry walks quietly into the bar where they all learn the truth. Bridget returns and her grandfather comforts her. Ray soon comes into the bar and asks Bridget what happened. He tells her he had it under control and shoves her into the wall, demanding to know why. Mickey tells him to let her be and cool down. Ray snaps and grabs a bottle smashing Mickey in the head and severely beats everyone in the bar. Bridget calls 911 as he is completely out of control.
Ray ends up under arrest as several family members end up in the hospital, the bar is trashed as Bridget and Terry are the only two left, along with the painting of the horses.
THE END!