As the curtains lift on this installment of "Black Snow," Detective James Cormack (portrayed by Travis Fimmel) offers a heartfelt apology to Samara (Megan Smart), acknowledging the gravity of what she has been compelled to witness. He inquires whether Zoe ever suffered a broken arm, hinting at their discovery of a medical plate, to which Sam responds affirmatively, recounting an incident at a mosh-pit. Harboring resentment towards Zoe for perceived abandonment, Sam underscores the urgency for justice, vowing that the perpetrator must be held accountable.
Sam and Detective Cormack then convey the startling news to Leo (Dan Spielman), Will (Josh McConville), and Gita, the atmosphere thick with tension. Stepping outside, Sam confesses her unpreparedness for the raw emotion the revelation stirred within her. Leo's repeated assertions of Zoe's demise have left her reeling. Unwilling to impart false hope to Nadja, Sam declines to accompany Leo to inform her. She ultimately unburdens herself to James about the persistent, anonymous phone calls she's been receiving. Despite efforts to trace the blocked number, leading only to a disposable phone, Sam suspects a troll's mischief. James, however, remains skeptical, urging her to pursue official channels for tracing the calls and organizing the necessary paperwork.
Elsewhere, Daisy (Lilliana Bowrey) breaks the disappointment of her denied rent assistance claim to Nadja (Victoria Haralabidou). Nadja reassures Daisy, pledging to navigate a solution and secure accommodation, while imploring her to keep her whereabouts concealed. Moments later, James arrives to confront Nadja with the news of Zoe's car, meeting resistance as she emphasizes the need for DNA confirmation before accepting the grim reality. The mention of the medical plate fails to sway her doubt.
Returning home, Sam envelops her daughter Ava in a tender embrace, seeking solace. Meanwhile, James delves into his research on Richard Vogel, ignoring a call from Tommy amidst his investigation. Self-harm subtly manifests as he pushes small pins into his arm, tuning into a radio show that fills the silent night.
In a poignant flashback, Zoe (Jana McKinnon) bumps into Joseph Rua (Vinnie Bennett), who shares the news of Melody's return. He eagerly offers assistance with party favors, their conversation turning to Zoe's impending inheritance. Zoe steps inside, engaging with Gita (Amali Golden) about an upcoming event commemorating the groundbreaking at Mont Vista. Agreeing to oversee the VIP guest list, Zoe embarks on a mission to ascertain who among the elite will be in attendance, unaware of the dramatic twists fate has in store.Zoe discovers that Sapphire Futures, an investment firm, was the owner of the land where Cody's former residence stood. She pays a visit to Mandy, sharing with her the story of how she broke her arm and how Cody came to her aid. Zoe confesses that she cannot seem to shake Cody from her thoughts. Mandy, acknowledging the tension still lingering around Brad concerning the ute incident, asks Zoe to bring over a box containing some of Cody's belongings. With her mind occupied, Zoe returns to work, where Mandy advises her to consider leaving town if Cody's memory continues to haunt her.
Determined to seek solace, Zoe visits Sam, who remains visibly upset. Sam, feeling overwhelmed, urges Zoe to simply go home. Respecting Sam's wishes, Zoe records an apology message for her before departing. The next day, as she leaves, she discovers an envelope adhered to her car, containing a photograph of the pond. Curious, Sam inquires with James about his methods for coping with the distressing scenes he witnesses. He replies with a candid, "Whiskey and Valium." Struggling to locate Mandy, Sam takes James's advice to try reaching out to Cody's siblings.
In an interview room, James confronts Joseph, who claims to have seen Zoe the day before the fateful party but insists he didn't see her afterward, stating he was with Melody all night. However, James reveals that Melody's account differs drastically now. Joseph also denies selling drugs to Zoe, despite the bag of drugs bearing his fingerprints being presented as evidence. He maintains his alibi, asserting that he and Melody were at Xanadu throughout the night—a location Zoe also visited. James informs Joseph that Zoe's remains were found in a dam, prompting Joseph to claim that no one believed him when he spoke of Sean before, and now they are framing him again.
Later, James informs Sam that he doubts Joseph knew Zoe was at Xanadu that night. They narrowly prevent Leo from confronting Joseph outside. Meanwhile, Seb and Will scour through old photographs of Zoe. Nadja joins them, engaging Will in conversation and requesting permission for her friend to stay at the investment property. Will agrees to drop off the keys. Nadja stays behind to speak with Seb, expressing her belief that he deserves an explanation regarding his 21st birthday fiasco. Interrupted by persistent phone calls, Nadja receives an urgent message from Val, compelling her to leave abruptly. She promises Seb she will clarify everything upon her return.
Upon arrival, Val informs Nadja that Daisy was picked up just 20 minutes ago, leaving the narrative hanging with a sense of urgency and unresolved mystery.James and Sam meticulously examine every item retrieved from Zoe's car, uncovering cash cleverly concealed within the jack compartment. James frowns, assessing the stash. "This doesn't add up to 25 grand," he remarks. "More like 15, if you ask me. Zoe was likely deceased before she ended up in those waters."
Sam's attention is drawn to a camera, recognizable as Sean's possession. The dam photo featuring Zoe bears the mark of an amateur home printer, hinting that Sean might have been one of the precious few who owned a digital camera back then. Meanwhile, Leo scours through vintage family footage, while James stumbles upon a message from Tommy (played by Nicholas Hope), who boldly claims to have located the individual Richie intended to collaborate with. Tommy insists on confronting him, with or without James by his side.
Elsewhere, Sam listens intently to Zoe's taped apology, his heart heavy. Among the mementos, a note attests to Sam's suspicions about Sean being implicated. Flashing back, Zoe confides in Nadja about the incriminating picture, placing the blame squarely on Sean's shoulders. Nadja assures her that Julie (Kat Stewart) will discreetly address the matter and set the record straight. Julie, however, proposes an alternative theory—perhaps Joseph was the one behind the lens. Zoe steadfastly rejects this notion, maintaining her accusation against Sean. Julie concedes the lack of proof tying Sean to the photograph.
Later, Sean phones Zoe at the precinct, his tone menacing. Zoe, visibly distressed, abruptly terminates the call. Driven by curiosity and anger, she attempts to reach Sean's residence later that evening but instead resorts to breaking in. Snatching the camera containing the incriminating photo, Zoe makes a hasty retreat. Upon Julie's return, Zoe overhears her in hushed conversation with a male acquaintance, discussing potential future collaborations with Sapphire Futures. When George requests to use the restroom, Zoe seizes the moment, sneaking into his vehicle and discovering evidence of Julie's hush money. Panicked, Zoe flees the premises.
Returning to the present, Sean informs Julie of Zoe's tragic discovery. He warns that they are no longer dealing with local law enforcement lightweights. Julie, confident in her assessments, believes James has vulnerabilities they can exploit. James, having met Tommy, assures him of his belief in his story regarding Richie. They spot their target but agree to wait for his meeting to conclude. Tommy opens up to James about his past struggles, revealing himself as a victim of a violent lineage, with his grandfather and Uncle Jim echoing the same patterns of aggression. James solemnly reminds Tommy of the brutal childhood torments, including being burnt with cigarettes for amusement.
Tommy insists he's merely attempting to lend a helping hand to James, acknowledging the shared darkness that looms over both their lives. Meanwhile, Sam pays a visit to Nadja, accompanied by Ava, eager to inquire about Sean and a particular photograph. Nadja imparts her knowledge to Sam before requesting her assistance in moving her car, as she is poised to commence her workday.
Tommy reveals that the individual in question once collaborated with Richie in the relocation of cargo, only for Ritchie to abscond with a substantial sum of money. Despite his efforts, Tommy remains in the dark regarding the cash's rightful owner. James grills the suspect, who claims Richie hijacked his vehicle. As they depart, James informs Tommy that he now possesses Richie's license plate information. Tommy, seeking a ride back home, is advised by James that a brisk walk would be more beneficial amidst the congested traffic.
Sam confronts Sean, demanding to know if Zoe was still alive when he submerged the car. She levels accusations of Zoe's murder at Sean, to which he responds by stating that the concept of 'incel' hadn't even existed in his lexicon back then. Defiantly, she vows to prove his guilt.
Elsewhere, James sits down with Doctor Nina Hirsch (played by Ella Scott Lynch), who wishes to address their recent encounter at the bar. She asserts that they crossed a moral boundary and suggests a referral to one of her colleagues for a comprehensive evaluation. James, acknowledging his lie about avoiding his father due to fear, confesses that he dreads harming him and senses himself mirroring his father's traits.
Will urges Leo to retire for the night, but Leo persists, inviting him to share a drink in Zoe's memory. Leo torments himself with guilt over Zoe's demise. James tasks Mia with conducting a statewide search using Richie's license plate. Angie Zhang (played by Renee Lim) pulls James into her office, showing him footage of Sam's confrontation with Sean and proposing his removal from the case. He cautions Angie against harassing Julie and her family without concrete evidence.
Later, James visits Sam at her residence to discuss the ongoing situation. Sam emphasizes the urgency of taking action to secure justice for Zoe. James expresses concern that Sean might attempt to tamper with evidence, revealing that he has already secured a search warrant to preempt such actions. They promptly execute the search warrant at Sean's place, uncovering his laptop. Simultaneously, James receives information indicating that Xanadu was acquired by a company named Sapphire Futures, four months after Zoe was interred there. Intriguingly, Joseph lacked the financial means to purchase Xanadu, whereas Sean possessed ample resources. They locate Sean outdoors, but he hastily speeds away in his vehicle upon seeing them.
