As the climactic chapter of "Black Snow" unfolds, Detective James Cormack (Travis Fimmel) sits in solitary contemplation, while Zoe Jacobs (Jana McKinnon) narrates about the opulent villas in the background. James urges Samara Kahlil (Megan Smart) to scrutinize the phone calls she has been receiving more closely, placing special emphasis on one originating from Canberra. Meanwhile, Sam delves into parliamentary records to ascertain Julie's presence there. James reveals his immediate intention to confront Julie Cosgrove (Kat Stewart).
Upon catching up with Julie, she accuses him of harassing her son, Sean. James, however, remains convinced of Sean's hidden darker facets, recounting how he once glimpsed them on Sean's computer—a device that subsequently vanished mysteriously. He interrogates Julie about her whereabouts following Zoe's gathering. Julie insists that she and Sean returned home and remained there throughout the night, adding that Gita paid them a visit around midnight.
Julie, who was intimately close to Gita, was the sole confidant aware of Gita's affair with Leo. She claims to have spent the night with Gita, whose relationship with Leo took a tumultuous turn after Zoe discovered the affair and Gita decided to end it.
In a nostalgic flashback, Zoe hustles to prepare for the evening, while Will Jacobs (Josh McConville) checks on her in her room. He reveals his possession of numerous fireworks for the party and suggests Zoe visit Gita's place, to which Zoe reluctantly agrees. Realizing his mistake, Will still believes Nadja (Victoria Haralabidou) might suspect something amiss. He expresses that Nadja has invested everything in their family, while Leo is jeopardizing it all, asserting that she doesn't deserve to be excluded. He presents Zoe with a gift just as the sound of shattering glass echoes from elsewhere. They find Nadja on the floor, attempting to clean up the mess, reassuring Zoe of her desire for perfection on her behalf.
Later, Leo Jacobs (Dan Spielman) delivers a speech, emphasizing the supremacy of family unity. Samara (Alana Mansour) joins Zoe outdoors, where Zoe offers an apology. Though still irked, Samara expresses hope that one day she will forgive Zoe.They catch sight of Joseph standing nearby, prompting Zoe to confront Leo, demanding an explanation for his actions. Leo, ever the reminder, points out that Joseph, alias Vinnie Bennett, has reached the ripe old age of thirty. This revelation stirs Zoe's emotions, causing her to bring up the subject of her father's mistress. Just then, Julie and Sean (Frederick Du Rietz) arrive on the scene, only to be met with Zoe's stern declaration that they are unwelcome. This sparks a heated exchange between Zoe and her father.
In a fit of anger, Zoe accuses Leo of being aligned with Julie, a criminal who had purchased the Mont Vista land, rezoned it, and subsequently sold it to his superiors for a lucrative sum. Leo brushes it off, insisting that their only concern is the construction project at hand. Zoe counterarguments fervently, contending that Cody's demise was a direct consequence of that dubious deal. Leo, however, stands firm, denying any responsibility on behalf of Julie or Mont Vista for Cody's fate.
Shifting to the present, Sam reaches out to James, informing him that Julie was indeed absent from Canberra. Leo Jacobs, however, had delivered the keynote address. Suspecting deceit, James urges Sam to confront Will, hinting that both Leo and Will have been misleading them.
James confronts Leo, who is leisurely swimming in a pond. A memory resurfaces: Leo and his companions reveling in the spectacle of fireworks, while Zoe remains visibly distressed. She gathers her belongings and storms off.
In the present moment, James confronts Leo anew, revealing that he had spoken with Gita earlier and had discovered his lies. Leo attempts to justify his deceit by claiming it was to conceal his affair. James, however, accuses him of calling Sam every year on the anniversary of Zoe's death. Leo steadfastly maintains his innocence, insisting that he hasn't set foot in Canberra for fifteen years. When James brings up the conference, Leo responds by saying he had withdrawn due to illness, delegating Will to attend in his stead.
James, sensing urgency, rushes to contact Sam, who is searching for Will elsewhere. Meanwhile, Zoe's past actions replay in another flashback: she purchases supplies at a convenience store, where the clerk (Thomas McCarthy) warns her of police patrols on the road to Brisbane, suggesting she rest in her car for a few hours. Undeterred, Zoe proceeds to the radio station, where she rummages through her backpack, pulling out a present meant for Will. Upon opening it, she discovers a note accompanied by a stack of cash, intended as extra travel money.
These scenes paint a vivid picture of intrigue, betrayal, and unspoken truths that weave through the characters' lives, setting the stage for further dramatic revelations.In her vehicle, Zoe realizes she must halt for fuel. Once refueled, she sets off from Brisbane. Meanwhile, Sam persists in her search for Will. Upon locating him, he urges her to take a seat, revealing that he has longed to confide in her. Placing a piece of jewelry on the table, Will asserts that he never intended to cause her pain.
In a flashback montage, Zoe confronts Will, accusing him of owning Sapphire Futures and bribing Julie and the other councilors. She produces a money bag as evidence. Will counters that the land rezoning was inevitable and he acted alone to rescue the struggling company. the family name would be tarnished. As Zoe storms out, Will pursues her, hopping into his car to trail her. Zoe exits her vehicle, shouting for him to desist. Tragically, while reversing from the garage, Will inadvertently runs her over.
Returning to the present, Will confesses to Sam that he tried to resuscitate Zoe but she had already passed. He characterizes it as a dreadful accident, yet Sam counters that not all subsequent events were unintended. Nearby, a gun lies within Will's grasp. He explains that he believed Zoe's disappearance, presumed as an accident, would ease the pain. He admits he wanted to confess but, upon hearing Sam's hopeful tone during their first call, he couldn't bear to shatter it. James, arriving at Will's residence, snatches the gun from him. As he approaches the house, a gunshot rings out. Rushing inside, James finds Sam unharmed.
Later, Nadja and Leo are left with Zoe's possessions, Nadja expressing her longing for just one more day with her friend. Leo speaks fondly of Zoe's brilliance. Seb joins them to scatter Zoe's ashes. Meanwhile, James seeks out Angie Zhang (Renee Lim), explaining that he had long believed his brother to be deceased, adding depth to the unfolding drama.For years, James has been striving to fill an emptiness that has come to define him, often mistaking others' sorrows and losses as his own battleground. Now, with the realization that Ritchie is alive, he realizes the urgency to attend to his personal turmoil. Confronted with the truth that he cannot shoulder both burdens, James acknowledges his limitations. Angie, sensing his struggle, suggests a temporary leave, but James resolutely declares his journey's end.
He visits Doctor Nina Hirsch (Ella Scott Lynch) not to seek guidance, but to inform her of his decision to resign and discontinue his evaluation. He expresses heartfelt gratitude for her invaluable support, yet Nina, perceiving a journey unfinished, believes there's still much ground to cover. James stands firm in his conviction to terminate therapy, yet expresses a desire to reconnect with Nina personally; his primary mission now is to locate Ritchie.
Returning to the motel where Ritchie was last spotted, James dives into a sea of belongings, meticulously searching through each item. Among the clutter, he discovers a copy of "Great Expectations" inscribed with a message from Jade to Ritchie, accompanied by a照片 of them together. Determined, James scours local haunts, hoping someone might recall sighting his brother. Immersed in nostalgia, he watches an old video clip featuring himself, Ritchie, and their mother, reliving cherished memories. Outside, he meticulously examines the vehicle, uncovering a receipt for The Railway Hotel.
At the pub, the bartender, recognizing Ritchie as a former regular, reveals that though she hasn't seen him in a while, she might have Jade's contact information. Agreeing to facilitate a meeting, she places a call. However, the bartender's subsequent message dashes James's hopes; Jade isn't coming. Instead, two menacing figures approach, making it evident that Jade's arrival was never intended. The confrontation turns violent, and in the ensuing struggle, James learns that Ritchie owes these thugs $90,000. Amidst the tension, James assures the bartender he'll resolve the debt.
Later, James visits Simsie, his destination the evidence room. In a moment of desperation, he takes the money, a decision laden with gravity. Returning to the pub, he hands over Ritchie's debt, earning valuable information about Jade's workplace in return.
Through this odyssey, each revelation propels James closer to Ritchie, yet further into a web of obligations and revelations that test his resolve and redefine his quest for redemption.
James ventures over to confront Jade, revealing himself as Ritchie's brother. Through their conversation, he uncovers that they've shared a bond for two years. Jade confides in him, her eyes reflecting the marks left by Ritchie's troubled past. She mentions Ritchie vanished a few weeks prior, leaving her with questions unanswered. James gathers that Ritchie's struggles stem from a gambling addiction. They bond over Ritchie's love for books and sharp intellect, which James attributes to their mother's influence. However, Jade offers little comfort, merely hinting that Ritchie sometimes retreats into the wilderness, seeking solace in what he terms "the blessed waters." The phrase strikes a chord in James, sparking a sudden urge to action.
With renewed determination, James heads to their family fishing spot, hoping to confront Ritchie. Upon locating him, James pleadingly urges Ritchie not to flee, acknowledging his past hurtful actions as children. He apologizes for the pain he caused. Ritchie, suspicious of James's unspoken resentment towards their father, accuses him of harboring unresolved anger. James counters, blaming their father for manipulating him into harsh actions. Ritchie, now threatening, demands James leave him be. The tension mounts as James reveals a harrowing truth: Ritchie once left him for dead after a violent altercation that James once believed was an accident. Ritchie admits his fear of James stemming from childhood abuses but insists the sounds of their parents' suffering haunt him more.
James, seeking redemption, asserts that he's paid his dues and envisions a future for Ritchie with Jade, free from their father's shadow. Ritchie, though scared, acknowledges his own fears, only for the tranquility to be shattered by the arrival of police cars. Officer Angie informs Ritchie, with Richard Vogel present, of his arrest. Ritchie accuses James of betrayal, but James stands bewildered. Angie clarifies that Ritchie's DNA, already logged in the system, matches evidence from an unsolved murder case—a child's killing. James's world crumbles as Ritchie is led away, his heart shattered.
James's emotions overflow as he grapples with the reality. Angie, firm yet compassionate, explains the gravity of the situation, emphasizing Ritchie's involvement in a heinous crime. James, desperate to shield Ritchie, warns him to remain silent. The scene is one of despair and confusion, as brothers are torn apart by circumstances beyond their control.
