In Season 1, Episode 6 of "A Thousand Blows," Hezekiah is plunged into sorrow over Alec's untimely demise, unaware that Mary has kept silent about the role of his enemy, Indigo, in this tragedy. Indigo Jeremy, with a foreboding warning, informs Mary that more bodies will accumulate unless she adheres to the established order. Upon discovering that Indigo was responsible for Alec's death, the other girls contemplate abandoning Mary and returning to Jane's side.
As for Hezekiah, despite his visit to Lao in prison to apologize for failing to shield him from harm, Lao forgives his friend readily. Lao inquiries about the source of Hezekiah's grief, prompting Hezekiah to confide in him about Alec's fate. Blaming himself for bringing Alec to London and neglecting to ascertain his happiness, Hezekiah feels shattered, believing he lacks the strength to step back into the boxing ring. However, Lao reassures him that his journey is merely beginning, and with Lao's encouragement, Hezekiah decides to resume his training.
Lonsdale frames the impending match between Hezekiah and Buster as a clash between science and brute strength, skill, and ancestral legacy. Buster's trainer notices Hezekiah's distress caused by these remarks and advises him to develop a thicker skin. He reveals that Buster represents more than just a fighter; he embodies an idea. People yearn for the narrative where Buster faces a formidable adversary yet prevails. To uphold this narrative, the trainer proposes a deal to Hezekiah: he will lose the fight but emerge alive.
Mary devises a plan to liberate Lao, tasking Alice with procuring a corpse from Charlie Mitchell. She informs Alice of her intentions to relocate to New York for a fresh start, with her father offering assistance. However, she has preliminary plans that only Alice, unyielding to fear like herself, can assist with. Alice sets Lao's cell ablaze and places a deceased body in his stead during his escape, allowing Lao to be presumed dead. Mary provides him with a ticket to Liverpool, but Lao expresses reluctance, wishing he could stay to support Hezekiah. Mary responds by stating that Hezekiah is the very reason she freed him.
Confiding in Hezekiah, Mary reveals her role in Lao's liberation, albeit acknowledging her part in his incarceration, which was part of her master plan all along. She then unveils her scheme to start anew in America for both of them, contingent on Hezekiah winning his upcoming fight.
Did Sugar's brute force claim Treacle's life? Sugar was momentarily comforted upon realizing that Treacle had somehow survived his savage beating. He subsequently paid a visit to his brother, who lay confined to bed, only to be met with a harsh rebuke, urging him to steer clear of him and his kin. Just before his departure, Sugar confessed his former belief that Treacle's life and family were a testament to his protective shield, but now he understood they had thrived despite his actions. As a gesture of redemption, he resolved to bestow upon Treacle the Blue Coat Boy.
Punch's entreaties fell on deaf ears as Sugar remained steadfast in his intent to sign over the pub to his brother. Their conversation was abruptly halted by Jane, who sought Sugar's immediate attention regarding Mary and Hezekiah.
In the ring, had Hezekiah emerged victorious against Buster Williams? Prior to the bout, Miss Victoria Davies dispatched a heartfelt message to Hezekiah, reminding him of his every justification to triumph. Hezekiah announced his presence before the eager crowd, vowing to fight with the conviction that his people watched over him.
The encounter with Buster proved to be a grueling test of Hezekiah's mettle, one which the champion failed to appreciate. "Submit like a docile puppy," Buster sneered, "and I might spare your life." With those words, he knocked Hezekiah to the ground, where the latter momentarily drifted into a reverie of Alec. Mary's urgent voice brought him back to reality, and he rose anew, narrowly averting defeat. With renewed vigor, Hezekiah delivered a knockout blow to Buster, prompting the doctor to intervene and cart the fallen champion away. However, the expected jubilation for Hezekiah's triumph never materialized; instead, his victory remained unacknowledged.
Miss Davies hastily instructed Mary to whisk Hezekiah away, warning of impending retaliation for his daring defeat of Buster.
Buster is swiftly pronounced deceased, rendering the contest null and void. Amidst the ensuing riot of spectators, Mary hastily whisks Hezekiah away from the scene. Miss Davies comes to their rescue, offering them refuge in her carriage. Despite the turmoil, Mary remains steadfast in her desire to embark on a journey to New York with Hezekiah, arranging for them to meet at the break of dawn.
How does Season 1 of "A Thousand Blows" conclude? After an intimate conversation with Jane, Sugar imparts to Hezekiah the startling revelation that Mary is aware of Alec's killer's identity. Armed with this knowledge, Hezekiah categorically refuses to accompany Mary to New York. She persists, insisting that she had tried in vain to prevent the tragic demise. He accuses her of deceit, to which she responds with tears brimming in her eyes, acknowledging that while lying has been her means of survival, her feelings for him are the sole authentic aspect of her life. Yet, Hezekiah remains unmoved. To him, Mary Carr is now but a ghost of the past.
