Episode 5 of "Disclaimer" kicks off with Catherine hailing a taxi to her mother's abode, where she intends to reside temporarily. Upon arrival, she finds the cherished armchair occupied by her feline companion, leaving her with the less-than-ideal option of slumbering on the floor. In the preceding chapter, we were briefed about Catherine's mother's dementia, but in this scene, its cruel grip becomes vividly apparent.
As her mother sleeps peacefully, Catherine unburdens her soul, pouring out her heartache in whispered monologues. Though unbeknownst to her slumbering mother, the act of articulating her pain brings Catherine a semblance of tranquility, aiding her descent into sleep.
Elsewhere, Stephen enlists the assistance of Tommy, a former chum of Jonathan's, to establish an Instagram profile. In his mindset, Facebook has become synonymous with "the elders," and Instagram represents a pathway to give Jonathan "a future," while simultaneously advancing his sinister scheme.
Turning our focus to Nicholas, he remains confined within his bedroom, sharing space with his father while surreptitiously exhaling smoke through the window. He harbors disdain for his dad, who deludes himself into believing they share a unique bond. Nicholas is acutely aware of the underlying tension between his father and Robert, and his mind drifts back to memories of Catherine—absent due to work commitments, yet overly solicitous upon her return. He feels like an intruder in his own home, lamenting that his parents know him not—Robert, in particular, remains an enigma. Ultimately, driven by this sense of alienation, Nicholas grabs his shoes and departs.
He makes his way to visit "Elvis," who, in a harrowing revelation, is secretly indulging in heroin. This dark secret accounts for the disarray in his apartment and his increasingly irritable demeanor.
The next morning, Stephen eagerly awaits Jisoo's arrival at Catherine's office. He seeks a private conversation with her, and as they settle into their seats, Stephen prepares his next maneuver. He accuses Catherine of harassment and threats, referencing the messages on his answering machine as proof. He subtly hints to Jisoo that Catherine harbors a murderer's spirit.
After his departure, his demeanor undergoes a sinister transformation, as he mimes throwing a grenade over his shoulder in a chillingly humorous gesture. Yet, what's truly chilling is the swiftness by which Catherine's friends and acquaintances are inclined to turn their backs on her.
On the subject of turning, Stephen's Instagram bait works wonders, as he successfully ensnares Nicholas. As they converse, Stephen arms himself with a glossary of slang and street lingo, effortlessly navigating the youthful idiom. "If you know, you know!"
Despite feeling absolutely indifferent to Nicholas, Stephen is acutely aware of the latter's desperate need to converse and unload his burdens. However, with the bait securely ensnared and messages streaming in relentlessly, Stephen devises a cruel game—delaying each message by ten minutes, simply to keep Nicholas on edge, hanging by a thread as he waits by the phone.
At the office, Catherine's arrival is met with an icy reception, the atmosphere as frosty as a winter's day. Everyone seems to have a copy of the book, and the allegations of Stephen being a pedophile, coupled with her acquisition of his address, have now come back to haunt her. Simon and Jisoo confront Catherine about her deceit, stressing that their business stands on a foundation of integrity. In the end, Catherine packs her belongings and storms out, not without first slapping Simon across the face—an act that was, unfortunately, caught on camera, along with her confession that he had it coming. She teeters on the brink of public disgrace.
Turning back to Stephen, he instructs Nicholas to read the book but finds it incredibly tame. Instead, Nicholas sends over some pornographic material. Just then, a knock sounds at Stephen's door, and there stands Catherine, pleading for his help and begging him to open it. Stephen, indifferent to her plight, ignores her completely and returns to the matter at hand.
Determined to deliver the final blow, Stephen pens a message about Jonathan and attaches a picture of Catherine and Nick as children. He gradually spells out the truth, revealing that Jonathan is deceased and sending more incriminating photos. He then attaches pictures of his mother and closes the laptop, his mission accomplished.
Stephen heads off to a crucial dinner meeting with Robert, informing him of his arthritis and revealing that Catherine's husband is overwhelmed with regret. He brings up Catherine's threat to Nancy, all of which serves to rally Robert to Stephen's side in their battle against Catherine.
In the meantime, Nicholas spirals downwards into a chaotic vortex. He is overwhelmed by guilt, haunted by the fact that he was spared when death should have been his fate. In a moment of sheer desperation, he even takes out his frustration on a book, urinating on it. This act only fuels his anger and frustration towards his mother even more. Determined to sink deeper into the abyss rather than fight his way out, he sets off in search of more heroin.
That fateful night, Nicholas calls Catherine, his voice breaking into sobs. Yet, unable to utter a word to her, he finds himself drawn back to the only solace he knows—more heroin.
