The Paper season 2 ending is the strongest episode yet, but not for the reason you'd expect — it's all thanks to one 'uncomfortable' transformation

Spoilers for The Paper season 2 finale lie ahead. Regardless of whether viewers adore or disdain Esmeralda (Sabrina Impacciatore), there's no denying her presence has made the series' conclusion unforgettable. While Ned (Domhnall Gleeson) rescues Mare (Chelsea Frei) at The Cincinnati Chronicle, Esmeralda embarks on her own clandestine mission. Devastated by the revelation that her son secured a C on his latest school test, she embarks on an undercover probe to uncover the injustice.

As Oscar (Oscar Nuñez) informs us, Esmeralda's character frequently dons disguises for various protests. This particular transformation sees her donning a short brown wig, baggy football jerseys, and a backwards cap, resembling a member of N*SYNC, to infiltrate Matteo's (Zak Messinger) class. Though Matteo is willing to entertain her antics for a short while, the sheer absurdity of her disguise makes the best moment in the season.

However, which disguise left Impacciatore feeling the most uncomfortable? "I was shocked when I looked in the mirror," she admits. While the most uncomfortable disguise was the woman, the older man left her feeling a profound shock that lingered for several days. The experience, though only briefly depicted in the show, left a lasting impression.

Despite being a brief scene, Impacciatore's character development through these transformations sets the stage for future undercover investigations if The Paper season 3 is produced. If her more direct exposé has nearly cost her job and status at the Toledo Truth Teller, perhaps alternative methods to achieve her goals would be more effective? Keep an eye on the future, that's all we can say.