Happy Face Episodes 1 & 2 Explained: A Father’s dark Legacy & A Hidden Victim

Paramount+’s Happy Face follows Melissa Reed, who has spent her life hiding a terrifying truth—her father is the notorious Happy Face Killer, Keith Hunter Jesperson. When Keith unexpectedly reaches out, Melissa’s carefully controlled life begins to unravel. 

The first two episodes, The Confession and Killing Shame, explore Melissa’s past and set the stage for a shocking revelation that could change her family forever.

Episode 1: The Confession

Melissa’s world starts to crack when her daughter, Hazel, receives a cryptic birthday card referencing "Chilliwack." Though Hazel is unaware of its significance, Melissa recognizes the connection to her father and hides the card from her husband, Ben. At work on The Dr. Greg Show, a grieving mother shares her story, triggering painful memories for Melissa.

The situation worsens when Keith calls the show, claiming he killed nine victims, not eight. He refuses to reveal the truth unless Melissa visits him in prison. With pressure mounting, Melissa finally admits to Greg that the Happy Face Killer is her father.

Episode 2: Killing Shame

Melissa and her friend Ivy visit Keith in Oregon State Penitentiary, hoping to uncover the truth. He remains cryptic, revealing that after his ninth murder, he bought a trampoline—an unsettling clue that sparks Melissa’s memory. 

Digging through her past, she recalls Heather Richmond, a Texas bartender, and realizes her boyfriend, Elijah, was wrongly convicted. With only two months left before his execution, Melissa and Ivy head to Texas in search of answers.

Meanwhile, Hazel struggles after discovering her grandfather’s identity, leading to bullying at school and a shoplifting incident. Back home, Melissa decides to expose her father on The Dr. Greg Show to clear Elijah’s name. Ben fears the fallout, but Hazel reveals she already knows. As the cameras roll, Melissa shares her painful past, gaining Greg’s support.

As Melissa’s confession airs, Keith takes pride in the attention, pinning a newspaper clipping about his “ninth victim” to his cell wall. Meanwhile, an unknown man in Oregon watches her revelation with anger, hinting at a new threat yet to come.

With the truth now public, Melissa has set a dangerous course. Will her confession be enough to save Elijah, or has she put her family in even greater danger?

Where can you Stream Happy Face?

Happy Face is now streaming on Paramount+, with new episodes airing weekly on Thursdays. The third episode, titled "Was it Worth It," will premiere on March 27, 2025.