The episode kicks off with Ruth Ellis (played by Lucy Boynton) meticulously dressing herself, an air of anticipation surrounding her. Upon Joy Okoro's (Gloria Obianyo) arrival, Ruth confides her desire to appear her absolute best for David Blakely (Laurie Davidson). Later, she is escorted to the courtroom, where a man stands outside, dispensing tickets with a serious demeanor.
Before their meeting with Ruth, John Bickford (Toby Jones) offers Lead Counsel Melford Stevenson QC (Toby Stephens) a few strategic insights. Inside the courtroom, Ruth declares that the Findlaters, whom she derides as "malicious snobs," must be held accountable for Blakely's demise. Stevenson suggests they rely on Dr. Whittaker's theory about the impact of jealousy on hysterical women. Bickford retorts, insisting that Ruth is far from hysterical and that Blakely's violence pushed her to commit the crime. Stevenson questions whether Bickford truly believes Ruth looks like a woman who has been abused.
As Ruth enters the courtroom, she is immediately mocked by a spectator, the atmosphere thick with tension. Flashing back, we see Ruth decorating for Blakely's birthday party, her excitement palpable. Vicki Martin (Rowan Robinson) arrives and envelops her in a hug. Ruth proudly displays her diamond engagement ring, which Vicki dismisses as "vulgar." Ruth disagrees vehemently, professing her love for the ring. When Vicki spots Desmond Cusson (Mark Stanley), she inquiries about his presence. Ruth responds by saying that compared to Blakely, Desmond is a breath of fresh air.
In the Crown's opening statement, Christmas Humphreys QC (Paul Hilton) reveals that in 1954 and 1955, Ruth was involved in affairs with both Blakely and Desmond. When Blakely attempted to terminate the affair with Ruth, she became enraged and fired multiple shots at him. Humphreys informs the jury that Ruth stands trial for murder.
The scene shifts to a flashback where Ruth eagerly awaits Blakely's arrival at his birthday bash. Carole Findlater (Bessie Carter) shows up with a message from Blakely, stating that he has to work. Ruth sarcastically remarks that this means more cake for them, before discarding the birthday cake in the trash. Carole apologizes and reassures Ruth that Blakely would have made more of an effort if he had known. Ruth responds cynically, stating that they both know he wasn't working. Carole then drops the bombshell news of Blakely's engagement to Mary Dawson. Ruth insists that Blakely has been staying with her for months, and she proceeds to drink straight from the bottle. Desmond offers to stay and help clean up, and Ruth places his hand on her breast, leading to a passionate kiss between them.
In the hushed atmosphere of the courtroom, Desmond ascended the witness stand and recounted to the jury his brief affair with Ruth. He revealed that on April 10th, they had remained in his apartment until approximately 7:30 PM, after which he escorted her to Edgerton Gardens. Humphreys leaned forward, inquiring if that was the final time he had laid eyes on her. Desmond, visibly agitated, affirmed. In a hush, Bickford murmured to Stevenson that the Crown was cleverly weaving Desmond's testimony to cast aspersions on Ruth's morality. Stevenson gently reminded him that Humphreys had instructed the jury to consider a charge of murder, not sexual indecency. Judge Havers (Nigel Havers) then restored order, drawing everyone's focus back to the trial.
Stevenson's gaze pierced through Desmond, asking if he had been enamored with Ruth. With a solemn nod, Desmond confessed his love. The courtroom was momentarily transported to a past scene, where Ruth and Desmond lay entwined in bed, the mournful wails of Georgina Ellis (Raye Cooper) echoing from the adjacent room. She claimed that George Ellis (Howard Gossington) had promised her a divorce in exchange for her consent to allow his wealthy compatriot to divorce Georgina, vowing to support her and her children regardless of their marital status.
Returning to the present, Desmond informed the jury that he had noticed bruises on Ruth's body no fewer than six times. A silent exchange of glances passed between Bickford and Edward Cussen (Lawrence Aram). The next Crown witness, Clive Gunnell (Jack Staddon), recounted his harrowing experience on the night Blakely met his demise. He recounted hearing two gunshots and witnessing Ruth standing over Blakely, a gun trained at his back. Stevenson informed Judge Havers that he had no further questions for Gunnell.
DCI Leslie Davies (Joe Armstrong), the subsequent witness, painted a picture of Ruth as "composed" when he encountered her at Hampstead Police Station subsequent to the shooting. Following the session, Bickford confronted Stevenson about his decision not to cross-examine Davies and Gunnell. Stevenson responded that such lines of inquiry would contribute little to their defense. Bickford implored him to convince Anthony Findlater (Ed Sayer) to reveal what he knew about Ruth's suffering. Stevenson reminded him of their primary objective: to illuminate the jealousy that allegedly propelled Ruth to kill Blakely. Desperate to save Ruth, Bickford suggested divulging the identity of her gun's provider. Stevenson sternly warned against it, insisting that he never betray his client's confidence again.
Later, Anthony was sworn in, as Ruth caught sight of Carole perched on the upper balcony, her presence adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.
In a poignant flashback, Blakely, with a contrite heart, seeks forgiveness from Ruth, professing his undying devotion and intent to sever ties with Mary, whom he claims he had already informed of his impending break from their engagement. As she places Desmond’s cigarette case into a drawer, a somber resolve sets in. Soon after, Ruth approaches Morris Conley (played by Christian Patterson), requesting an advance on her paycheck, only to hear that she must now shoulder a weekly rent of 12 pounds if Blakely is to reside with her under her roof.
Later, Blakely expresses trepidation about his mother's reaction to his dissolved engagement,回忆起a painful chapter from his childhood—when his father, a physician, impregnated a younger woman when Blakely was just 11. Tragedy struck when the mistress perished following an abortion, and though his father was accused of procuring the abortion-inducing drugs, he was ultimately acquitted. This scandal, Blakely laments, irrevocably shattered their family. As their lips meet, Ruth’s gaze falls upon love marks adorning his chest, prompting Blakely to confess his affair with Carole, describing her as the genuine article, while Ruth is but a mere facsimile.
The following day, Ruth confronts Carole head-on about her illicit liaison with Blakely. Carole vehemently denies the allegations, painting Ruth as jealous and herself as a victim of Blakely’s manipulations, vowing to expose him for the predator he truly is.
In the tense atmosphere of the courtroom, Anthony testifies, with Stevenson probing into Ruth’s state of mind during Blakely’s stay at his place. Anthony suggests she might have been desperate but insists he did not perceive it thus, adding that he has no recollection of accompanying Blakely and his nanny anywhere. Humphreys counters by illuminating the defense’s quest to uncover the roots of Ruth’s jealousy, leaving Stevenson with no further inquiries.
Post-trial session, Ruth insists that Bickford grill Carole about her actions towards her unborn child weeks prior to Blakely’s demise. Bickford cautions that the court views Ruth with suspicion, branding her as a cold-blooded murderer, urging her instead to take the witness stand and narrate her side of the story. Yielding to the pressure, Ruth ascends the witness stand. Stevenson establishes her background, revealing she resided above The Little Club where she was employed.
A vivid flashback unfolds, capturing Blakely's advances towards Ruth, who firmly rejects him, pushing him away and commanding him to leave. He retaliates by producing Desmond’s cigarette case, found nestled in her bedside table. Back in the present, Ruth bravely testifies to the jury, describing in detail how Blakely beat her with his fists, despite the fact that she bruises easily. As The Little Club decays, another memory emerges: Blakely threatens suicide to keep her from leaving him, tearfully revealing his helplessness - the threats of his stepfather and the indifference of his mother. In this desperate situation, he proposes to her, but she cruelly reminds him that she is still George's wife.
In a poignant flashback, Blakely, with a contrite heart, seeks forgiveness from Ruth, vowing that his sole desire is to be by her side. He confesses to having informed Mary of his intentions to terminate their engagement. As she places Desmond’s cigarette case into a drawer, a sense of finality lingers in the air. Soon after, Ruth approaches Morris Conley (played by Christian Patterson), humbly requesting an advance on her wages. Conley, however, imposes a new condition: a weekly rent of 12 pounds, contingent on Blakely’s cohabitation with her.
Later, Blakely expresses concern over his mother’s distress upon learning of his broken engagement, his mind drifting back to a traumatic memory—his father’s infidelity that led to an abortion-related death of a younger woman when Blakely was just 11. The physician-father, accused of procuring the abortion drugs but later exonerated, bore the brunt of the scandal, devastating their family. As their lips meet, Ruth’s gaze falls upon love bites adorning Blakely’s chest, prompting a confession. He admits to an affair with Carole, whom he labels the 'real deal,' while Ruth is but an imitation.
The following day, Ruth confronts Carole head-on about her entanglement with Blakely. Carole firmly denies the accusation, insisting that Blakely, far from abusive, was a predator in disguise. Ruth counters by portraying him as violent. Carole vows to expose Blakely’s true colors.
Inside the courtroom, Anthony takes the stand. Under Stevenson’s questioning, Anthony reflects on Ruth’s mental state during Blakely’s stay, suggesting she might have been desperate but not overly so. He lacks recollection of accompanying Blakely and his nanny on outings. Humphreys interprets this as the defense’s attempt to rationalize Ruth’s jealousy. Stevenson concludes his line of inquiry.
Post-trial, Ruth implores Bickford to scrutinize Carole’s actions concerning her pregnancy, weeks before Blakely’s demise. Bickford warns that the court views Ruth as a cold-blooded murderer and urges her to testify, to recount her narrative. Ultimately, Ruth mounts the witness stand. Stevenson outlines her living arrangements above The Little Club, where she was employed.
Flashbacks paint a vivid picture: Blakely advances towards Ruth with unwelcome affection. She pushes him away, demanding his departure. Holding aloft Desmond’s cigarette case, Blakely reveals its presence in her bedside table. In court, Ruth narrates how Blakely struck her with his hands and fists, acknowledging her susceptibility to bruising. The Little Club’s fortunes decline. Another flashback unfolds—Blakely threatens self-harm should she leave him, tears streaming down his face as he recounts his stepfather’s financial ultimatum and his mother’s indifference. He proposes, only to be reminded of her marriage to George.
This retelling paints a richer, more emotionally charged tapestry of events, immersing the reader deeper into the intricate dynamics and tragic circumstances at play.
In the hushed ambiance of the courtroom, Ruth's eyes scanned the heartfelt inscription etched on the reverse of Blakely's photograph — "To Ruth, with all my love." Her lip quivered, tears cascading down her cheeks as she emotionally grasped its significance. Havers, sensing her distress, offered a compassionate seat, which she politely declined. Stevenson's probing questions steered the conversation towards her pregnancy, prompting her to disclose that Blakely had struck her abdomen, though medical uncertainty persisted around whether this blow had terminated her pregnancy. When questioned about her motive for shooting Blakely, she remained steadfast in her denial of any clear understanding, her voice trembling.
Humphreys' inquiry delved deeper, seeking clarity on her intentions during the fatal moment when she fired at Blakely at point-blank range. Her response was unwavering: to end his life. Following the court session, Bickford observed Ruth's seemingly indifferent demeanor on the witness stand, prompting her to confess that she had realized her testimony was a futile endeavor. She offered him gratitude for facilitating her grooming session, a small comfort amidst the turmoil. When he pressed her for the truth, her tone hardened, asserting that the depths of male brutality that cause women to suffer are best left unexplored, even by him. His parting remark hinted at her self-incrimination before he exited.
Later, Dr. Duncan Whittaker elaborated on his theory concerning infidelity's psychological impact on women, highlighting Ruth's supposed disregard for her children. A poignant flashback unveiled Ruth bidding farewell to Georgina before embarking with George, painting a picture of a life in disarray. Havers' cross-examination with Stevenson delved into the absence of evidence supporting provocation on Blakely's part, with Stevenson arguing that legal precedent had overlooked the profound impact of infidelity on women's minds. Havers countered, suggesting that a spur-of-the-moment abandonment by a man could provoke a jealous woman to shoot, potentially justifying manslaughter.
Outside the court, Jacqueline Dyer, her face lined with concern, revealed to Bickford that the club had never maintained a security gun, casting doubts on Desmond's involvement. She speculated whether Desmond had aided Ruth, memories of his solemn vow to save her flashing through her mind. Inside the court, Havers declared the lack of evidence for provocation-based manslaughter, leading Dyer to voice her dissatisfaction and storm out. From a public phone booth, she urgently informed Hampstead Police Station about her suspicions regarding Ruth and Desmond.
After fourteen tense minutes of deliberation, the jury returned with a verdict of guilty. Ruth, her eyes empty of emotion, refused to offer a statement. Havers, his voice steady, sentenced her to hang, a fate she paradoxically thanked him for accepting. Bickford accused Humphreys of manipulating the legal system to protect Desmond as a Crown witness due to familial ties with Edward, his junior counsel. Bickford vowed to seek clemency for Ruth, explaining his restraint from cross-examining Desmond due to shared wartime history with Stevenson and Edward.
As Ruth was transferred to a different cell, the weight of her fate pressed heavily upon her, each step echoing through the halls of justice.
