As the curtain rises on the third installment of "A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story," Joy imparts words of wisdom to Ruth Ellis (played by Lucy Boynton), guiding her through the final pieces of a complex puzzle. Outside, a newspaper stand ominously heralds that Ruth's fate is sealed—death awaits her in twelve days. John Bickford (portrayed by Toby Jones) steps into her life, bearing the weight of that impending date, and urges her to pen a letter, a plea for mercy and expressions of contrition. Yet, Ruth stands firm, unrepentant, refusing to send any appeal to the Home Office, her sole desire justice for David.
John then engages in a tense conversation with Melford Stevenson QC (Toby Stephens), deliberating on the merits of presenting Ruth's case, particularly the potential involvement of Desmond Cussen. Melford frets that dragging Desmond (played by Mark Stanley) into the fray might suggest premeditation, casting a darker shadow over the proceedings. Their discourse teeters on the edge, weighing the pros and cons of utilizing Desmond's testimony. John threatens to expose the entire situation to the Home Office or the press, but Melford cautions against such drastic measures, reminding him of the intertwined fates at stake. With a stern warning, Melford urges John to embrace madness as his defense for Ruth's sake and his own.
Later, John confides in Bertha (Amanda Drew) and others, outlining his decision to invoke insanity rather than implicate Desmond. Meanwhile, DCI Davies (Joe Armstrong) seeks Desmond's insights into Jacqueline Dyer's accusations, to which Desmond speculates were a misguided endeavor to aid Ruth. Davies reveals that Ruth herself has not fought the charges, her resolve seemingly unyielding.
In a harrowing flashback, Morris (Christian Patterson) voices his discontent, accusing Ruth of tarnishing the club's reputation and reducing them to ridicule. He demands the return of their shared flat, giving her until the week's end to vacate. Ruth, desolate and without a refuge, finds herself cornered. Morris's unwelcome touch on her leg and his suggestive proposal hint at a desperate path she may soon tread.
Ruth thrusts the knife into him, her voice trembling yet resolute as she declares he'll never lay a hand on her again. Seeking legal liberation, she consults Mr. Victor Mischon (played by Arthur Darvill) about initiating divorce proceedings. He assures her that a mere signature stands between her and freedom, the weight of her marital chains nearly shed. Before bidding him farewell, Mischon inquires whether she has a refuge to return to. Ellis, her alias in this fragile moment, claims to have a friend's place to stay.
Switching to the present, Joy tenderly checks in on Ruth, who requests her to extinguish the light, seeking solace in the darkness. Another wave of memories, Ruth confides in David Blakely (portrayed by Laurie Davidson) about her job hunt, revealing her plan to live with Desmond until she secures employment. David's emotions fray, accusing her of pushing him away. Ruth gently reminds him of her son, Andre, who deserves a stable home. In a heated exchange, David issues a chilling threat, vowing to end her life if she ever sleeps with him again.
Outside, Jacqueline campaigns tirelessly, gathering signatures to grant Ruth a reprieve from impending doom. Jayveer Sethia (Advait Kottary), stepping into the fray, reveals his knowledge of Ruth's revised statement to the police. He believes they can stir up enough commotion to halt the inexorable march of justice. However, he requires more insights about the enigmatic figure behind the scenes. Jayveer whispers that the police have long been aware of the individual who handed Ruth the lethal weapon.
Desmond returns to an empty nest, discovering a note from Ruth, informing him she's stepped out with friends. At the club, Ruth unwinds with her companions, her conversation centered around David. Her eyes scan the room, locking onto a potential companion. She leads him to a secluded corner, their passion igniting. He notices the telltale bruises on her shoulder, a silent testament to her troubled past.
Upon her return, Ruth learns her French tutor awaits. She scurries into another room, requesting a brief moment of privacy. Unbeknownst to them, Andre, Ruth's son, seizes the opportunity. He reveals the gun to the tutor, a grim discovery that sends shockwaves through the room. Jacqueline updates Davies, informing him of the tutor's harrowing find. However, Davies remains unconvinced, reasoning that Desmond could have been Ruth's chauffeur to Magdala. Despite Jacqueline's fervent pleas, Davies insists that Ruth, in cold blood, murdered David Blakely, and nothing she or anyone else does can alter that grim reality.
Jacqueline finds Ruth, who steadfastly maintains Desmond's innocence. Jacqueline shares the comforting news, revealing that everyone she's spoken to sides with Ruth, presenting her with letters of unwavering support as proof.
Ruth firmly reminds her that she has no desire for this situation and resents anyone pleading on her behalf. Jacqueline accuses her of taking the easy way out, cowarding from her responsibilities. In response, Ruth tells her to leave and never return. Elsewhere, Jayveer engages Jacqueline in a conversation about the government's anxieties, suggesting that the ongoing debate on capital punishment hinges on business interests. He emphatically states that Jacqueline must lend a hand to Ruth. Shortly thereafter, Jayveer makes a call, mentioning Desmond Cussen's name. To the editor-in-chief of the newspaper, Jayveer reveals that Desmond was the one who handed Ruth the gun and drove her to the crime scene.
Meanwhile, Ruth reaches out to inquire about her son Andre Ellis's school fees, ensuring they are settled for the current term. Concerns linger in her mind about Desmond's suitability to care for Andre. Flashing back, Desmond volunteers to take Andre fishing, an offer that fills Ruth with apprehension, fearing David's reaction. Desmond assures her he can handle David.
David confronts Ruth, whom he believes has been unfaithful. She vehemently denies sleeping with Desmond. David counterarguments, accusing her of being drunk while leaving her son unattended on Christmas Eve. Desmond steps in, urging David to release her. David doubts Desmond's understanding of Ruth's true feelings towards him. In a fit of anger, Desmond shoves David against the wall, challenging him to fight a man instead of a woman. Despite this, Ruth later reunites with David, their passion igniting.
During a prison visit, Ruth inquires if Bickford has been advocating for her, voicing her discontent and insisting on the enforcement of her sentence. John shares a wartime anecdote, revealing his involvement in prosecuting a young German soldier who, just a week after executing two men during a death march, faced revenge from Soviet troops liberating Vienna. These troops raped tens of thousands of women, yet none faced charges due to their alliance. John solemnly concludes that justice is a narrative penned by the victorious, insisting that Ruth's crime does not merit death.
Ruth imparts to John that Desmond has vowed to take care of Andre, yet she doubts his sincerity in fulfilling that promise. She confides in him that Desmond had entrusted her with a gun, hinting that it might soon come into play. John counters, insisting that it's now too late for such drastic measures, suggesting instead that they should confront the violence and the wrongs David inflicted upon her.
In a poignant flashback, Ruth reveals to David her suspicion of pregnancy. Though David discourages her from terminating it, he urges her to sever ties with Desmond Cussen, proposing marriage as an alternative. Desmond, perplexed by Ruth's decision to leave, pleads with her to stay, while she clarifies her aspiration to forge her own path, having already secured a cozy bedsit. When he inquires about her financial needs, she remains resolute.
John Bickford advocates for the Home Secretary to consider provocation in Ruth Ellis's case, emphasizing her profound distress at the time of the crime. He presents 50,000 signatures from supporters across Australia, America, France, and Germany, acknowledging that not all the letters speak in her favor. The gravity of her actions—a premeditated firearm murder—looms large, yet John contends that her determination to embrace death stems from a profound sense of hopelessness. He introduces the precedent of Sarah Lloyd, who narrowly escaped execution two days before her scheduled date, her sentence commuted due to cumulative provocation. This, he believes, bodes well for Ruth.
David escorts Ruth to his parents' home, suggesting a drink outdoors before proceeding inside. Observing David's friends gathered, Ruth notes their presence. She finds herself seated beside Caroline Findlater (Bessie Carter) as David engages with his peers, who toast Ruth on her impending nuptials. David volunteers to fetch his mother, encouraging Ruth to enjoy herself.
In a private exchange, Caroline draws Ruth into their whispered conversations about gangsters, revealing that when David was assaulted, there was a speculative whisper that Ruth might have orchestrated it. Caroline jokes lightly, suggesting David might deserve the occasional beating.
She harbors the hope that Ruth comprehends he would never introduce her to his mother. Ruth reveals their impending marriage and the joyous news of their forthcoming child. Caroline, harsh in her tones, asserts that Ruth's pregnancy stems from the fact that David could never cherish the baby as his own, urging her to terminate the toxic relationship forthwith. David arrives sans his mother, prompting Caroline to lambast him as a heartless, timid creature. Offering to escort Ruth back to London, Caroline provides a means of escape.
Upon their arrival, Ruth, kind-hearted, extends an invitation to Caroline for a drink. She hands Ruth a newspaper, delivering the devastating news of her dear friend Vicki's tragic demise in an accident. Ruth grapples with the profound grief, her heart shattered. Joy enters Ruth's cell, bearing solemn news from the Home Secretary. Dr. Charity Taylor, her voice filled with compassion, reads the letter aloud.
Flashing back to a painful memory, David reminds Ruth that Vicki's crash marked her thirteenth in four years, while he feigns innocence, claiming refuge at Carole and Ant's place. Ruth confesses she hasn't consulted a doctor regarding her pregnancy. David, cunning and cruel, invents a tale of Carole dismissing her symptoms as false, painting Ruth as manipulative in her quest for marriage. Ruth's hopes for reprieve diminish.
David turns brute, accusing Ruth of ensnaring him and striking her abdomen, followed by a chokehold. With venom in his voice, he threatens her with a grim fate, hinting at murder. As he exits, Ruth whispers that, in a sense, he has already killed her spirit. Returning to the present, Ruth is informed that her sentence will be executed in two days. The stress and trauma induce a miscarriage, a tragic consequence of David's actions.
Back in her cell, Ruth discovers a piece of paper wrapped around the light fixture, a meager gesture of solace from Joy, who admits it's all she can offer. Ruth admits her fear of death, haunted by the specter of Vicki Martin, who, in her imagined conversations, wonders why Ruth stays with David. Vicki's questions resonate deeply, suggesting that Ruth, influenced by her troubled upbringing, accepts an abusive dynamic as normal.
Ruth voices her frustrations to John, accusing him of false promises. Forced into honesty, John concedes that the system is flawed, arguing that Ruth has unwittingly complicated her journey every step of the way, leaving him puzzled by her choices. Ruth shares her history of bearing the blame for her father George's alcoholic binges, painting a picture of a life steeped in unfair expectations and heartbreaking resilience.
He struck her, and invariably, onlookers would inquire what actions of hers had provoked such brutality. Every male companion she had ever encountered ended up displaying the same behavior. Ruth convincingly believed it must be her fault, given the recurring pattern. She exhausted herself in attempts to flee from this cycle. She had nearly succeeded in believing she had escaped it all, until David entered her life—and he proved even more vile than the rest. When David passed away, the police and media clarified the grim narrative for her; it was as if her fate had always been sealed. Ruth would continue to believe she deserved whatever misfortunes befell her, were it not for John. He instilled in her a glimmer of hope that she did not deserve to perish. Ruth suspects that John fears the men capable of ruining her life. Therefore, she intends to engage a new solicitor. Victor was in the middle of addressing a client's concerns when he received a call from Holloway Prison. He promptly visited the prison and introduced himself to Bickford. Victor inquired about the reason for her dismissal of his services. John confessed that he had been carting a bomb in his briefcase but lacked the courage to detonate it. He earnestly urged Victor to persuade Ruth to confide in him about the firearm. Victor approached Ruth, asserting his belief that she possessed something crucial that could potentially save her life.
