Stay

"Stay" is the eighth episode of CD Projekt RED and Studio Trigger's series.

Characters
In order of appearance:
 * Yumiko
 * Dr. Evans
 * David Martinez
 * Rebecca
 * Falco
 * Kiwi
 * Kate
 * Douglas
 * Faraday
 * Lucy Kushinada
 * Doc (Ripperdoc)

Description

 * Faraday finds himself stuck between Arasaka and Militech. Lucy and Rebecca confront David about his change in behavior, but he refuses to listen.

Summary
Simultaneously, both Lucy and Rebecca observe unsettling behavioral changes in David, hinting at a potential descent into cyberpsychosis.

The episode commences inside an Arasaka lab, where a female functionary seeks an early night off to surprise her son, recently accepted into Arasaka Academy. However, her plans take a gruesome turn when she discovers David, curled up with a smoking gun, and the lifeless body of Lab Director Evans. A shot then rings out.

Exiting the scene, David reunites with his crew in their getaway vehicle. Meanwhile, at the Arasaka Counterintel department, Kate and Douglas discuss the crew's actions and express concern about a netrunner disrupting their activities, unaware that Lucy is behind it. Faraday faces an ambush by city gangbangers, surviving but receiving a lukewarm response from his Militech contact.

Back at David's apartment, he and Lucy discuss the cost of a one-way trip to the moon. Lucy notices David's shaking hand, signaling potential cyberpsychosis. Faraday, approached by Arasaka counterintel agents, receives a tempting offer to identify and capture the netrunner hindering their efforts. He's tasked with eliminating everyone aware of the Sandevistan chrome.

Concerned about David's health, Lucy contacts Kiwi, leading to a visit from Faraday. The crew, including Becca and David, engages in a violent confrontation with rival gangbangers. However, David's traumatic past surfaces, causing him to freeze during critical moments. Becca, expressing concern for his well-being, follows him home, revealing her hidden feelings.

David grapples with hallucinations and traumatic memories, experiencing cyberpsychosis symptoms. Lucy confronts him about his escalating condition. After collapsing in front of his mother's urn, David awakens at the ripperdoc's clinic. The ripperdoc warns him of the consequences of excessive chrome use and urges restraint.

Lucy implores David to acknowledge his deteriorating state, leading to a heated argument. The ripperdoc prescribes medication, emphasizing the severity of David's decline. David breaks up with Lucy, revealing the strain on their relationship. Lucy, emotionally distraught, tracks down a netrunner signature, unaware that Faraday and Kiwi have orchestrated a trap.

As Lucy confronts the netrunner in a warehouse, Faraday reveals himself, rendering her unconscious. The episode concludes with Lucy imprisoned and marked for delivery to Arasaka's counterintel.

Trivia

 * The episode is titled after the Rihanna song "Stay" from her 2013 album Unapologetic.