As the curtains lift on the fifth chapter of I, Jack Wright, Sally (portrayed by Nikki Amuka-Bird) utters a poignant observation, suggesting that it's tempting to attribute the unraveling chaos solely to Jack's demise. She contends that the seeds of discord were already sown; Jack's passing merely served as a wedge, exacerbating existing fractures. Georgia Wright (played by Zoe Tapper) urgently informs John (Daniel Rigby) of the necessity to ready his testimony for the court. Meanwhile, Bella Horrell (embodied by Sabrina Bartlett) urgently rings John to relay the shocking news of Gray's (portrayed by John Simm) assault. John, realizing the gravity of the situation, learns that Gray is being rushed to the Royal London Hospital. With a heavy heart, he hastily informs Georgia of Gray's perilous condition before dashing out.
At the hospital, John expresses his heartfelt remorse to Gray. Elsewhere, Bobby Botham (brought to life by James Fleet) joins Rose (played by Gemma Jones) during her chemotherapy session, updating her on Gray's condition. Detective Constable Kat Jones (portrayed by Liz Kingsman) updates Detective Chief Inspector Hector Morgan (played by Harry Lloyd) on her findings regarding Arnaud Tissier's (played by Jalil Lespert) financial woes, revealing a staggering three-year loss totaling nearly £4 million. Minutes from a board meeting two months prior hint at a proposed share dilution and a pledged investment by Sally Wright.
Arnaud confesses to Sally his deceit, driven by fear of her misconceptions. He vehemently denies any involvement in Jack's murder, recalling a meeting with Jack three days before his demise in London, where Jack intended to discuss Arnaud's discovery in his desk. Arnaud uncovers a bombshell revelation: Jack had undergone a DNA test on Josh, confirming he was not the boy's biological father.
Emily (portrayed by Ruby Ashbourne Serkis) listens intently to voicemail messages from Kyle (played by Callum Adams), pleading for her to call him back. Arnaud admits Jack had told him he had revised his will. He insists he was in Paris on the night Jack was murdered. Arnaud implores Sally to keep him a secret, urging her to consider how she will raise the three million pounds she promised him. A call from Josh's housemistress interrupts Sally's thoughts.
DCI Hector probes Emily about her relationship with Reuben Maguire (played by Percelle Ascott), whom she describes as sporadic. Reuben, who once worked in the postroom at JK Wright during her work experience, has maintained an intermittent relationship with her over the years. Emily doubts Jack knew Reuben well, until Hector mentions Jack's trip to Deptford to meet Reuben, followed by a sudden change in his will three days later. Emily suggests they question Reuben, to which Kat agrees once they locate him. Emily steadfastly denies any prior knowledge of their meeting, leaving the room shortly after, only to receive a message from John about Gray's hospitalization.
The police launch an exhaustive search for Reuben, while Sally confronts Martin Ward (played by Bo Poraj) about Josh's (played by Samuel Small) drug use in his dormitory. Martin emphasizes the school's zero-tolerance policy on drugs, indicating Josh's expulsion is inevitable. Sally, exasperated, shouts for Martin to cease his lecture, threatening to engulf the school and Martin in a maelstrom of negative publicity and legal battles. With that, Sally storms out, Josh in tow.
Emily steps into the hospital's hushed corridors, her heart sinking as she learns that Gray remains in a state of unconsciousness. John's eyebrow arches with a hint of suspicion, suggesting to himself that perhaps this unforeseen turn of events brings a silver lining for Emily. He can't shake off the notion that she might be orchestrating a complex maneuver around them all.
Emily quietly enters Gray's room, her gaze softening as it falls upon her father's still form. Meanwhile, Josh confides in Sally, a substantial part of him yearning to relinquish the weight of wealth and responsibility, dreaming of an uncomplicated, ordinary life. Sally, understanding from the vantage point of the outside looking in, reassures him with a promise of better days ahead.
Bobby arrives at the hospital accompanied by Rose, who engages in a tender conversation with Gray. DCI Morgan, meanwhile, pays a visit to Sally's home, where she reveals her last encounter with Arnaud was weeks prior in Paris. Kat inquires about the promised investment, to which Sally responds that she had intended to invest three million but is uncertain of its feasibility now. Josh, eavesdropping through the door, catches every word.
Morgan and Kat grill Sally about Arnaud's awareness of the will's alteration. Sally stands firm, insisting there has been no communication regarding the will since their last interaction. Acknowledging Arnaud's criminal past, Morgan probes further into his behavior, finding no irregularities according to Sally.
John dials Bella's number, sharing the encouraging news that Gray is stirring from his slumber. Emily receives a menacing message from Kyle, a warning that silence could prove costly. John sits beside Gray, recounting the visitors and reflecting on his own neglected duties towards his friend. Gray, candid, admits he wouldn't have extended a helping hand either. John then seeks guidance on locating Eddie and offers Gray shelter until he fully recovers, extending the same invitation to Bella, albeit she's tied up with a new job.
Sally seeks Max's counsel, worried about the potential repercussions if their strategy comes to light. Max, concerned about judicial scrutiny validating Jack's decisions, cautions against altering their course, fearing it might alert the defense. Unaware of her own slip, Sally fears the cat's already out of the bag, realizing she must come clean to Josh. Upon returning home, she confesses the truth, prompting Josh to question his lineage and Jack's motives behind cutting him off.
Displeased, Josh grapples with the revelation. John implores Gray to omit mention of the Eddie payoff from his conversations with Georgia. Bella, immersed in her new role, declines an immediate visit. DCI Morgan sends a heartfelt message to Beth, reminding her of Marlon's upcoming 14th birthday, hinting at his longing for her presence in his life.
Georgia notes Gray's remarkable recovery spanning two weeks, yet Johns to sever ties. She insists on reviewing his written statement, warning him not to pressure her. Their conversation escalates outside, where John advises Gray to speak from the heart, reassuring him of a positive outcome. Gray, curious, inquires about John's recent reflections, which have centered around life's true values. John suggests their fight over unnecessary wealth is futile. A part of Gray resents Jack's lingering humiliation, a sentiment John echoes, revealing his own lifelong struggle under Jack's critical gaze. John's aspirations of becoming an artist, crushed by his father's disdain, are a testament to their shared history of disappointment and unfulfilled dreams.
John ultimately refrained from submitting his application, leaving Gray to urge him to reconsider. Gray insisted that John's decision shouldn't hinge on what others thought, particularly Georgia, who John believed wouldn't approve. Meanwhile, Kyle confronted Emily, demanding clarification on a series of messages he had intercepted, despite acknowledging their privacy. Claiming a protective intent, Kyle insisted on understanding their implications, but Emily rebuffed his help, branding him odd and severing their ties.
John, setting up his easel once again, sought solace in painting. Georgia, searching for him, was directed to the garage by Gray, where she found John creating a chaotic workspace. John confessed his intent to abandon the trial, relying solely on his written submissions. Georgia, desperate for the financial gain, persuaded him otherwise, but John remained resolute in his belief that they didn't desperately need the money.
Elsewhere, Max guided Sally through her statement preparation, while Laura Johnstone engaged Emily, who revealed the incriminating information about Jack during a fit of anger. Emily agreed to collaborate with Laura, even offering assistance in finding corroboration.
Outside Phoenix Rising, Reuben was apprehended by DC Sam Carver and fellow officers. Kyle visited the police station, presenting evidence from Emily's phone, detailing messages hinting at Jack's grave misdeeds towards her. DCI Morgan scrutinized the messages and sought clarification from Reuben, whose alibi was beginning to crumble under scrutiny. During the interrogation, Reuben remained tight-lipped about the messages and his encounter with Jack. A subsequent search of Reuben's flat yielded incriminating evidence: bloodstains on a bag and fragments of burnt clothing, casting doubt on Emily's claimed whereabouts in California.
Georgia, discovering Gray's note announcing his return, expressed longing for someone she had called, inquiring about forgiveness. John eavesdropped on her conversation, catching fragments about forgiveness. Deciding to stay with Gray for a while, John bid Georgia farewell, encouraging her with wishes for the trial's success.
The trial commenced with Emily testifying that true inner workings of a person remain a mystery. John pondered the elusive concept of sanity, while Sally defended the unbearable pressures that could push anyone to the brink.
This narrative weaves a tale of intertwined destinies, complex emotions, and unraveling truths, painting a vivid picture of lives intersected by legal proceedings and hidden truths.
