Brain Drain

**Brain Drain** is the third episode of Season Two of *Russian Doll* and the eleventh episode of the series overall.

## Synopsis

*Nadia learns an intriguing fact about the family fortune that sends her on a quest for clues — and her situation takes a bizarre new turn.*

## Plot

Back in 1982, Nora is sleeping on the subway while passengers observe her from afar. When the train stops at Astor Place, Nadia in Nora's body stirs as someone escorts her off the train. She knocks on young Ruth’s door. Nadia finally explains who she is and then, Nadia reveals she won’t return to 2022 until she helps Nora and Vera mend fences. Ruth stares at her in disbelief, then informs her that it’s time for her doctor’s appointment.

Next, Nadia and Ruth meet with Vera at the doctor’s office. Vera accompanies Nadia in the bathroom while the latter urinates in a cup. Nadia tells her grandmother she reacquired the duffel bag of Krugerrands and then promptly misplaced it on the train.

Vera reveals this isn’t the first time the family lost its fortune on the train — it’s occurred twice. The first occurrence was during World War II. Nadia also discovers she understands Hungarian courtesy of her mother.

Later, Ruth and Vera sit with Nadia while she has her ultrasound. Nadia essentially sees herself in her stomach, which leads her to wax philosophical with the doctor.

After the ultrasound, Nadia returns to Vera’s home. She watches while Vera and Delia chat in rapid-fire Hungarian about the missing gold. Delia tells Nadia that Vera wants her to stay at home for a while. Nadia questions Delia about the gold train incident, and that’s when Nadia learns that her family has concealed various treasures around the house.

Once Delia departs, Nadia searches the framed photos for clues, finding cash and various documents. Then, she tosses her mother’s possessions into a sack. Nadia begins scratching her arm, and a slew of sores appears on her arms. Nadia doesn’t overthink it and hops out of the window.

Later, Nadia hits up the New York Public Library and leafs through its archives. Nadia finds projector slides pertaining to gold trains in World War II. She spots a few police officers surveying the area, meaning it’s closing time. Nadia swats at a bug scurrying across the pages of a map of Europe.

Nadia asks a librarian to research a lost gold train from Budapest in World War II.

Next, Nadia visits Danny at Crazy Eddie and asks if she can borrow a projector. She returns to her mother’s now-empty apartment and dives headfirst into her research. Nadia pours over documentation from her grandparents and some questionable literature. After spotting mold on her hands, she enters the bathroom to wash it off.

Then, while staring in the mirror, Nadia notices the sores on her arms. Suddenly, she procures the same bug she encountered at the library from one of the sores on her forearm.

Nadia runs into her mother as she leaves the bathroom. She no longer only sees Nora on reflective surfaces. The mother-daughter duo visits a convenience store before resuming their research party. Nadia watches the slides from the library and spots the lost gold train. The librarian calls Nadia and divulges the information she unearthed from her research regarding the gold train.

According to the librarian, when the Soviet army advanced on Budapest in 1944, the SS forced the Hungarian Jewish community to hand over their possessions. The SS placed the belongings on a train bound for Berlin. The families received receipts while under the impression they’d reunite with said possessions at a later date.

However, the train’s location was lost after the Nazis surrendered in 1945.

Nadia asks the librarian if she can confirm that the Peschauer (Vera’s maiden name) family possessions were on that train, but unfortunately, the NYPL doesn’t have those resources.

Ruth calls Nora, and Nora reveals that Nadia also sees the bugs. Nora emphatically asserts that her mother put said bugs in her apartment. But Ruth informs Nora that someone from the hospital is coming to pick her up.

Later, Nadia and Nora arrive at a facility. A doctor sits across from Nadia, who now dons a straitjacket, and questions her about her mental faculties. Nadia talks to Nora, but the doctor doesn’t see the latter standing behind him. He insists they’re the only people in the room.

Nadia then moves further away from the doctor while she vehemently asserts she’s mentally sound. Now she understands how her mother felt all those years ago, gaining deep insight into Nora’s psyche.

Next, Nora helps Nadia escape the hospital via a window. Nora stays behind, bidding farewell to her daughter. However, not long after Nora also escapes.

Meanwhile, Nadia arrives in 2022 to a note on her door from Alan: “Why aren’t you picking up? Call me!” Nadia heads inside and examines the items she brought with her from 1982. She procures what looks like an itemized receipt from the back of a framed picture of Nora. It’s made out to Leo Peschauer, her grandfather, signed by a Nazi.

## Cast

### Starring

* Natasha Lyonne as Nadia Vulvokov
* Chloë Sevigny as Lenora Vulvokov

### Guest Starring

* Rosie O'Donnell voices the Subway Announcer
* Irén Bordán as Vera Peschauer
* Annie Murphy as Young Ruth Brenner
* Yoni Lotan as Ryan
* Athina Papadimitriu as Delia
* Anoop Desai as Salim

### Co-Starring

* Carolyn Michelle Smith as Agnes
* Malachi Nimmons as Danny Shaker
* John Quilty as Bookworm