Episode 4 of "Adolescence" unfolds thirteen months hence, marking Eddie's milestone 50th birthday as the Millers strive to reclaim shards of their former normalcy. Amanda, his devoted wife, prepares a heartfelt breakfast, their bond shining brightly. Jamie, too, expresses his affection through a homemade card adorned with a heartwarming depiction of Eddie, which he cherishes with a tender gaze.
Yet, their joyous celebration is abruptly shattered when their van becomes a canvas for vandalism. Graffiti scrawled in vulgar slang, a derogatory term for a pedophile, stains their vehicle. Seeking solace and justice, they turn to their neighbors, only to encounter walls of silence and reluctance to aid in identifying the perpetrators.
Eddie, donning a mask of composure, attempts to brush off the incident, but Amanda insists on confronting the unspoken elephant in the room: Jamie's impending trial in mere weeks. Amidst a system that shields him from public scrutiny, the community's impatience overflows into hostility directed at the Millers. Amanda contemplates fleeing to Liverpool with her mother, a proposal Eddie fiercely opposes. His frustration boils over, shouting that they are innocent of any wrongdoing. Lisa, their eldest daughter, is visibly upset, prompting Amanda to seek her out. They attempt to engage in conversation, but Lisa's frustration is palpable. The insulting graffiti is all the more unjust, as it targets Eddie, an innocent man, while Jamie is merely a youth who made an error in judgment.
Outside, Eddie valiantly tries to scrub away the offensive graffiti, to no avail. As he toils, a group of children cycle by, their jeers echoing cruelly. The scene paints a vivid picture of a family struggling to maintain dignity amidst a storm of misunderstanding and prejudice.
Why does Eddie suffer a nervous breakdown in the vast expanse of the parking lot? It marks the breaking point; a frazzled Eddie drags his family to the store in search of essential supplies, amidst an atmosphere thick with tension. The parents attempt to lift Lisa's spirits through playful banter and the planning of an outing, revealing that they've sought professional help from a couple's therapist. They arrange a cozy cinema date followed by dinner, only to find themselves lost in nostalgic reveries of their younger days.
Amanda opens up about Eddie's past, sharing how he once danced with abandon, unconcerned with others' opinions. His humorous antics had a unique way of making Amanda burst into laughter. However, their mood takes a turn for the worse inside the store when a worker recognizes Eddie. He learns that the paint splatter is permanent, necessitating a van repaint. To add insult to injury, this very worker turns out to be a Jamie enthusiast, convinced of his innocence.
Eddie drifts into a daze until checkout, when he makes his way to the van. Unfortunately, fate has it that he bumps into the same mischief-making kids from earlier. Mistaking them for the vandals, Eddie catches one and roughs him up. As the child flees, Eddie decides to rectify the situation then and there, hurling paint over the graffiti. This prompts a commotion when a security guard steps in to intervene.
But is Jamie truly innocent? As the Millers speed away, Jamie calls to wish Eddie a happy birthday, confessionally hinting at his intention to plead guilty. Eddie is rendered speechless, while Amanda and Lisa, tears streaming down their faces, pretend all is well—Jamie oblivious to their distress as he continues his awkward conversation before hanging up.
How do the Millers respond to Jamie's heart-wrenching revelation? Lisa and Amanda worry over Eddie, who silently retreats towards home. Amanda discovers Eddie preparing for their movie night, once again donning a false facade of normalcy. Their delicate equilibrium shatters into another argument when she insists he confront reality. Eddie resists, unable to fathom Jamie as a murderer. Roles reverse as Amanda feels culpable for not recognizing the warning signs and supporting Jamie sooner. A blame game ensues, with Eddie berating himself while Amanda reciprocates the guilt.
Ultimately, they find solace in reassuring each other that they cannot control the digital chaos or the secret escapades of youth.
Why might Eddie turn a blind eye to Jamie during their football sessions? The revelation that Eddie's father once physically abused him, prompting Eddie to vow never to lay a hand on his own children, sheds light on his intentions. Seeking to nurture Jamie into strength, Eddie introduced him to football. However, the mocking laughter from other fathers and children was a burden too heavy for Eddie to bear, making him unable to face Jamie's struggle amidst ridicule. Jamie's fleeting interests, swiftly transitioning from football to boxing and then to drawing, further underscored by his seclusion in his room once he acquired a computer, painted a picture of a restless spirit.
Regarding Jamie's request for Eddie to be his supervisor during a trying situation, the Millers were overwhelmed with regret, wishing they had done more. Amanda conjectured that Jamie's choice of Eddie was rooted in his belief that Eddie would shield him unconditionally. Despite witnessing the CCTV footage, Eddie admitted to having believed Jamie's claim of innocence. He harbored a wish that Amanda had been the supervisor, believing it could have altered their fate.
Did Eddie finally embrace the stark truth? Lisa cleverly diverted the conversation to movie-night attire, apologizing for a previous scuffle in the store which she dismissed with a laugh, acknowledging the boys' mischievous nature. Though reluctant to relocate, Lisa insisted that Jamie would forever remain an integral part of their lives. Opting for a cozy movie night in with takeout, Lisa's decision brought Eddie relief. As the women descended downstairs, Eddie ventured into Jamie's room, tears streaming down his face. By the conclusion of Adolescence Episode 4, he gently tucked a teddy bear into bed and exited with a calm demeanor, having come to terms with the harsh realities of their situation.
