The opening scene of "Tenebris," the ninth episode of Absentia season 3, finds Flynn huddled in his hideout, while Dawkins taunts him relentlessly, attempting to lure him out. In a moment of desperation, Dawkins finally locates Flynn, but Jack's intervention turns the tables, as he charges at Dawkins, shouting for Flynn to run while Dawkins unleashes a silenced bullet that hits Jack in the side.

Emily's family finds themselves in a precarious situation as the season 3 draws to a close. The grandfather checks on Jack, who is still alive but slowly succumbing to his injuries. Meanwhile, Elliot has Emily tied up and demands the files. When Emily refuses to comply, she headbutts her captor. Outside the room, Cal witnesses her naked and searched, a sight that clearly pains him. Despite the turmoil, he maintains his composure, understanding the larger mission at play but aware of the myriad variables that arise at the start of this episode.
As for Nick, he's not messing around; he's entering prisons to help free the refugees. Elliot, on the other hand, is not concerned about their future, claiming he's securing their future as he locks vials in a case. If Dawkins was an intriguing villain, Elliot is on a different level entirely.
Armstrong attempts to extract information from Emily through physical means, hitting her and even using a hammer to drive a nail into her hand. Nick managed to withstand psychological torture; now it's Emily's turn to work through the pain.
Julianne and Crown pay a visit to Foster's hotel room in an attempt to bring him down as the mole. However, when they enter his room, they find Foster has hung himself. In the room, they discover Thompson's investigation binder. Crown informs Julianne that Foster won't receive any sympathy from them. And yet, another twist lurks in the shadows...
In the gripping drama of Absentia's third season, episode nine, "Tenebris," we witness a psychological cat-and-mouse game between Elliot and Emily that edges towards the brink of chaos. Elliot, with a chilling twist of sinister logic, tells Emily of the dire urgency and the monumental scale of their project, hinting at his psychopathic tendencies as he rationalizes exploitation in a broken world. He even dares to mention Dawkins' hold over her family, using it as a chilling threat: "Your family is your weakness, Emily."
The tension reaches a peak in the archery practice scene, where Flynn's attempt to strike Dawkins with an arrow fails, but his determination to protect is evident in his swift escape. His skill in archery mirrors his mother's proficiency, illustrating a familial legacy of resilience.
As Emily's jewelry becomes a crucial clue, Elliot discovers the hidden files within, while Nick frees the prisoners. The stakes are high, and all eyes are now on Emily as she must confront her greatest fears.
In a climactic confrontation, Cal engages in a fierce battle with Armstrong, using his agility and cunning to outmaneuver the opponent. As Armstrong falls to his demise, Cal demands a final look—a moment of closure for the traumas of their military past.
Emily's transformation into a formidable force is palpable as she dispatches guards with her martial arts skills and marksmanship. Her anger fuels her actions as she confronts Elliot and demands he spare her family. Meanwhile, Flynn's seemingly selfless act of surrender is a ruse to trap Dawkins in a well, proving his resourcefulness and loyalty.
The episode ends on a chilling cliffhanger as Elliot attempts to administer a fatal injection to Emily but she counterattacks, leaving him to utter his last words: "It's too late, Emily. She already has the bioagent." Cal's arrival adds to the intensity as he drops his gun and inquires about her well-being. Emily's response—"It's done"—is punctuated by the sight of the broken necklace, symbolizing her triumph over adversity. The episode leaves viewers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next chapter of this intense finale.