Episode 5 of "Happy Face" kicks off with an intense scene where a forensic scientist meticulously examines the wrench discovered amidst Keith's possessions, each test adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding mystery. Hazel ventures into a store, her resolve solidified, and emerges with a prepaid cell phone, a secret weapon in her growing arsenal of caution.
At home, Melissa finally steps through the door, her weary eyes lighting up at the sight of her daughter and noticing the sleek new shoes adorning Hazel's feet. Hazel, with a fleeting moment of hesitance, weaves a tale, claiming Eva had bestowed them as a token of affection. The conversation shifts gears as Melissa delves into sensitive topics—her abortion article and the importance of sexual safety. Hazel's curiosity peaks, probing about Elijah's case, to which Melissa responds with a touch of optimism, mentioning it will take a week to cross-reference the DNA on the wrench with that found on Heather's dress.
Behind bars, Elijah's spirits remain unbroken as he receives a visit from his sister. Their shared faith in his imminent freedom fills the cold prison air with a glimmer of hope. Back in the warmth of their home, Melissa and her family sit down to a long-awaited dinner, a rare moment of unity amidst turmoil. Hazel's phone buzzes with a new follow from Josh, catching Melissa's attentive eye.
Later, a pizza slicer, an unexpected guest in Max's backpack, reveals a hidden fear—Max's terror of Ash's potential return haunting his every step. This discovery triggers a heated exchange, culminating in Melissa's emotional breakdown, her strength tested by the challenges her children face.
The following day at work, Ivy and Melissa are met with a bombshell—Heather's clothing, crucial evidence, has vanished from the precincts. Greg's urgent command sends them scrambling to catch a plane, dashing Melissa's hopes for a moment of respite. Their journey leads them back to Texas, to the evidence warehouse, where Elijah's sister Joyce and lawyer Gabriella await. The warehouse supervisor's admission stuns them all: in a quest for space, the evidence, deemed irrelevant in a closed case, had been callously destroyed.
The scene is set, tensions heightened, as the stakes rise and the search for truth takes an unexpected turn deeper into the heart of Texas.
As they come to learn that the district attorney, Craig Calloway, was the one who issued the order, the group sets out to confront Calloway. He presents Elijah with a proposition: if Elijah confesses to the murder, Calloway will commute his sentence, sparing him the death penalty in exchange for an additional decade behind bars, after which he would regain his freedom.
Gabriella suggests an alternative approach—procuring DNA from Heather's mother, Denise, to potentially obtain a partial match. Despite their strained encounter in the past, Melissa volunteers to attempt reconciling with Denise and broaching the subject. Meanwhile, Gabriella and Joyce converse with Elijah, who senses that accepting the deal might be his sole viable option.
Elsewhere, Ivy and Melissa endeavor to persuade Denise, but she is overcome with emotion and refuses their request. Ivy then strikes upon a clever plan: to sneak into Denise's trash and search for any items bearing her DNA.
At school, Hazel retreats to an unoccupied classroom and dials Keith's number using a disposable phone. They reminisce about their high school days, and when the conversation turns to his murders, Keith urges Hazel to form her own opinion of him. He then asks her to send him a picture of herself.
While rummaging through Denise's trash, Ivy inquires whether Melissa genuinely intends to return to the makeup department afterward. Melissa hesitates, unsure of her future plans. Suddenly, she receives a text from her father, accompanied by a photo of Brendan, bruised and battered, with the message that he had it coming. Melissa and Ivy subsequently head to Joyce's house, where Melissa is struck by a bulletin board laden with Joyce's years-long investigative efforts.
Back at home, Melissa's neighbor Renee pays a visit to inquire about the family's wellbeing. Ben gifts her a bottle of wine as a token of gratitude for helping out with Max recently. They decide to uncork it together, and Renee, a therapist by profession, inquires whether Ben has crossed paths with Keith. Ben recounts how he and Melissa met Keith during Melissa's pregnancy, portraying him as normal at first, engaging in small talk—until he wasn't. Ben even reveals to Renee that the case has seen a breakthrough, hinting at their impending liberation.
Melissa, Joyce, and Ivy embark on a night of camaraderie, indulging in drinks and lively conversations. However, the ambiance swiftly transforms when Melissa casually mentions that her father was the one who disclosed her abortion secrets. This revelation incites Joyce into a fiery speech about her unwavering commitment to securing her brother's freedom. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Melissa devises a plan. They escort Joyce to Denise, highlighting the eerie parallelism between their struggles. Denise remains resistant until Joyce drops a bombshell: Callaway has rescinded the death penalty option for Elijah.
Convinced at last, Denise submits her DNA sample, albeit with the prerequisite that Elijah must make his decision before the results are disclosed. Joyce, empathetic to his plight, urges Elijah to accept the deal. Recalling his mother's adage that truth will inevitably surface, Elijah chooses defiance, informing Callaway of his intention to reject the offer.
Elsewhere, a massive protest springs up, demanding Elijah's release. As the march proceeds, Ivy receives a startling update: the DNA extracted from the wrench matches Denise's profile.
Meanwhile, Hazel's conversations with Keith continue, deepening in intimacy. He sends her a sketch through Josh's residence, depicting a woman named Desiree, alongside an anecdote about stealing her earrings. He divulges that he took a keepsake from each victim, storing them in a room at the Pioneer Falls motel. Keith insists that his collection was part of a confession he always intended to make. To her astonishment, Hazel discovers another drawing within the same package—a portrait of herself.
Melissa and her companions face yet another twist when Callaway addresses the media. To everyone's shock, he announces that the authorities now suspect a collaboration between Keith and Elijah in Heather's murder, wrapping up a suspenseful chapter in Happy Face Episode 5.
