Episode 5 of A Murder At the End of the World opens with a shocking revelation for Darby - she discovers that Zoomer is Bill's son. Embracing him tenderly, she senses the echo of Bill within him. Eva enters the scene, checking on Darby's well-being, and sends Zoomer off to his parents. First and foremost, Eva assures Darby that Sian is safe and sound.
However, Darby's suspicions are far from settled. She confronts Eva about the medical room, its mysterious abundance, particularly the cabinet filled with morphine. Eva's nervousness mounts as Darby accuses an unnamed individual of using it to overdose Bill. Eva's reluctance heightens as she's pressured to lead Darby to Andy and Lee, who are enjoying a private dinner with Zoomer on an exclusive floor.
Lee senses the impending storm and quickly escortss Zoomer inside, knowing that Darby is determined to expose the truth behind the murders. Darby confronts Andy head-on, accusing him of murdering Bill due to his discovery of Zoomer's lineage. Andy remains calm, revealing a bombshell - he's sterile and has known it for years. He confidently declares that Zoomer cannot be his biological child.
Darby remains unconvinced and presses the morphine issue. Andy suggests that it was stolen from the room, hinting that the killer is someone close to him. When Darby inquiries about his whereabouts during Bill's demise, Andy cites a lingering illness (later revealed as a life-extension therapy) as his alibi, explaining that he was receiving treatment in the medical bay.
Andy's narcissistic nature - or perhaps his foresight - shines through as he suggests that Bill's death is merely collateral in a larger scheme aimed at bringing him down. He extends an olive branch to Darby, proposing a partnership to unravel the mystery of the murderer. This way, Darby can redeem the love of her life, while Andy can unmask his saboteur.
In a sci-fi twist, the show showcases a LIDAR scan of the hotel, facilitated by Andy's cutting-edge software. This allows them to virtually scour the hotel for clues. The killer struck precisely at 11:59 PM, indicating that they are an insider. Andy and Darby sift through data and logic, narrowing down the suspects. David emerges as a prime candidate.
They summon David for questioning, inquiring about his presence in the hallway outside Bill's room when Sian was attempting to revive him. David is reluctant to confess, but Oliver confirms that he was indeed involved in a physical altercation with him. Oliver also reveals that his paralysis is not complete, allowing him to walk short distances when necessary. Lu, a fellow poker player who stayed until 1 AM, offers crucial information - Lee only left the room once during the night. She also confesses to hacking the firewall after Rohan's demise to request an evacuation.
Ray digs deeper into phone records, uncovering a crucial detail - David received a call from Bill at 11:07 PM. The mystery deepens as they edge closer to the truth.
Before Marius could allow them to delve deeper into their thoughts, he pressed the phone into Andy's palms. Instantly, Andy's demeanor shifted, his anger boiling over as he realized it was the WSJ on the line. They were privy to the unfolding drama at the hotel. As Andy stormed out of the room, Darby took the opportunity to peek into Zoomer's chamber. Lee, nestled beside him in a deep slumber, invited her in with a warm smile.
Darby delicately broached the subject of Zoomer's paternity, a revelation that left Lee stunned and scrambling for composure. She had been unaware of this revelation and dashed out of the room to gather her wits. In her haste, Darby rummaged through Lee's purse, unearthing a credit card and passport under the name "Marie Larsen." The passport bore Lee's likeness, a startling discovery.
As Darby made her way to the door, she was intercepted by Lee and Andy, who insisted she remain in the room. Lee, however, eventually relented and allowed her to depart. Darby's concussion clouded her judgment, yet she persevered through the haze. Her heightened state prompted her to dial David, seeking answers about Bill's mysterious call. But David remained silent, offering no solace.
Ray's constant interruptions only added to Darby's frayed nerves, warning her of the grave danger her worsening concussion posed. In a fit of frustration, she ripped his system from the room, seeking a moment of peace. Tomas appeared at that moment, and Darby asked him to leave some food for her. But her solitude was shattered by the sudden appearance of a masked man dressed in black. He warned her to stop poking her nose into Bill's death, his voice menacing.
A tender flashback filled Darby's mind, recalling a car ride with Bill where they shared their mutual feelings. But when it came time for Darby to reveal how she fell for him, she deflected the conversation, steering it instead to the mystery of the silver doe. Bill abruptly halted the car, lamenting the ways phones were stripping away people's identities. Ironically, Darby confessed that it was through her phone that she first fell in love with him.
Snapping back to the present, Darby gathered her strength and stormed into Sian's room, determined to unravel the truth once and for all.
Sian's throat had been surgically opened, a gruesome necessity to allow her to breathe. Despite her own struggles, she sought to ease the guilt Darby carried, a guilt imposed by forces beyond her control, a testament to the stark contrast in their levels of maturity. With a gentle request, Sian urged Eva to withdraw from the room, creating a private space for Darby to unburden herself and reveal the details of the attack.
Sian's voice was strong, even as she asked Darby to persevere in her investigation. She requested a sip of water, a small comfort in the midst of her struggle. But before Darby could fulfill her request, a sudden, unexpected turn of events occurred. Sian's vital signs flatlined, her body succumbing to the relentless onslaught of her injuries. Eva rushed in, her face etched with panic, but it was too late. Nothing could save Sian now.
Later, as she confided in Andy about Lee's alias, he dismissed her claims with a wave of his hand. He suggested that she retreat to her room and await the arrival of the police, a cold comfort in the wake of such tragedy.
Meanwhile, in the courtyard, a bonfire crackled, casting an orange glow over the gathered group of Darby, Martin, Ziba, and Lu. Darby voiced her suspicion that Andy was constructing something more sinister than hotels - bunkers, perhaps, designed to weather some apocalyptic future. Oliver joined the conversation, and they debated the morality of Andy's supposed plan. Marius attempted to interject, but was waved away, his words lost in the chatter.
Ziba, her Qashqai heritage a strong influence, led a ritual, invoking the spirits to "name the dead" and "bless them to join the wind." Others joined in, their voices rising in a chorus of respect and remembrance, a powerful display of shared spirituality.
In a flashback, Darby's determined face was illuminated by the glow of a bedside lamp. She had woken Bill, her voice urgent as she revealed her discovery of the killer's identity - a policeman, the grandson of Eunice Bell. Bill, startled by her revelation, questioned her sanity and her motives, but Darby's resolve was unwavering.
Now, back in the present, Darby's panic attack came on suddenly, her breathing ragged as she was led back to her room. She reached out to Ray, her voice breaking as she confessed her wish to escape the waking world. But Ray, lacking emotional intelligence, failed to offer the comfort she needed.
As the lamp in her room flickered erratically, Darby's heart rate spiked. She grabbed a pen, her mind racing as she decoded the message delivered in Morse code. She was summoned to meet someone near the pool, to learn the truth behind Bill's mysterious call to David.
Darby followed the instructions, but the poolside was deserted. Despondent, she stepped into the frigid water, the shock of the cold a jarring reminder of her vulnerability. Then, without warning, the pool cover slammed shut, trapping her in the darkness. Terror gripped her as she felt the presence of someone looming over her, watching as she struggled to breathe, her lungs filling with water.
