Episode 2 of "Hound's Hill" unfolds with a poignant glimpse into the past, where Mikolaj and Daria share a tender moment by the lake where her life tragically ended. Gizmo, their loyal companion, joins them, his gaze transfixed by a fox perched gracefully on the opposite side of the cavern. This fleeting encounter ignites a lifelong fascination within Gizmo, marking the inception of his affection for foxes.
Shifting to the present, the solemn occasion of Gizmo's funeral gathers a multitude of mourners, including Daria's sister, Kaska, whose piercing eyes constantly scan Justyna and Mikolaj with an unspoken narrative. An unexpected guest, a fox, arrives as if to pay its final respects, adding an eerie yet poignant element to the ceremony.
Meanwhile, the autopsy of Bernat uncovers chilling new revelations. It suggests sepsis as the cause of death, yet the subtle signs of foul play cannot be overlooked. Within his empty, starved stomach, traces of undigested raw food are discovered, a stark contrast to his overall condition of being starved and frozen, with his limbs bound. A brutal blow to his legs with a blunt object appears to have been the final, cruel blow.
Despite these compelling clues, the police inexplicably decline to pursue further investigation. This enigmatic turn leads us to the introduction of Kalt, a hunter whose eyes have been set on Bernat's land with relentless determination. With Bernat's demise, Kalt views the land lease issue as conveniently resolved. He meets with the Mayor, boasting that the hotel construction will proceed as scheduled, thanks to a fortuitous meeting with the Governor.
However, there's a darker reality beneath this cold calculation. The land in question serves as a home for a vulnerable community, their lives intertwined with the soil. Tomek emerges as a beacon of compassion, distributing bread and essentials to alleviate their hunger, fully aware that the impending construction will displace countless individuals who call this place their home.
Determined to delve deeper into the mystery, Mikolaj sets his sights on uncovering more about Gizmo's unexpected visitor, the priest. After consulting with the staff of the psychiatric ward, he discovers that Father Bernat had indeed paid Gizmo a visit. Eager for answers, Mikolaj races to confront Father Bernat, inquiring whether he might have penned the enigmatic postcard. The priest firmly denies any involvement, explaining his visit as merely part of his routine pastoral duties to check in on all members of his flock. However, the truthfulness of his statement remains shrouded in uncertainty.
Just as Mikolaj grapples with this revelation, another perplexing postcard arrives, urging him to "confess" about Gizmo. Meanwhile, Justyna's own turmoil intensifies as she struggles to manage her complicated liaison while simultaneously keeping her editor updated on a groundbreaking story. Despite the chaos, Justyna and Mikolaj agree to stay put for another week. As planned, Justyna joins Tomek at city hall, where Tomek stages a dramatic protest in front of the investors, highlighting the challenges posed by relocating the colony's residents to accommodate a luxury hotel. Unmoved by his pleas, the investors stand firm, leading to Tomek's escort out of the building and his family's subsequent warning of arrest if he continues his defiance.
Adding fuel to the fire, Tomek's frustration spikes when a lawyer arrives at Bernat's funeral with legal documents, intended to facilitate Grazyna's transfer of land ownership. Tomek is incensed by this revelation.
Amidst these tensions, Mikolaj harbors secrets of his own, evident in his cryptic question to Macius about whether anyone knows about "what they did to him that night." Macius's subsequent visit to Father Bernat leaves him visibly shaken and hurried, urging the priest to follow suit and flee.
As the episode draws to a close, the community is rocked by an arson attack, a stark reminder that someone is desperate to silence Tomek's family and quash their defiant voice.
