In the mesmerizing sequel to Ridley's electrifying second season, Episode 4, titled "The Hollow Tree Part 2," the narrative takes a sinister dive into the depths of darkness as the truth behind Kathy Hadderly's murder and the enigmatic death of Ross Enderby slowly but surely unravels, leaving viewers gasping for air.
The episode commences with the chilling aftermath of Ross Enderby's demise, a tragedy that sends ripples of shock reverberating through the investigative team. Ross, Jean Dixon's former detective lover, lies lifeless in Jean's abode, the scene depicting a violent confrontation gone awry. The fatal blow to his head, inflicted by a backward tumble onto the sharp edge of a coffee table, seems straightforward, yet the menacing note found on Jean's car hints at a more sinister plot, leaving her innocence in question.
As the investigation delves deeper, it becomes apparent that Jean harbors secrets, withholding vital information from the detectives. Her confession of a heated quarrel with Ross prior to his demise, coupled with her failure to disclose it, stirs suspicion and casts a shadow over her innocence. The discovery of a bloodstained kitchen knife concealed beneath the kitchen island adds another perplexing twist, its presence unexplained by any visible wounds on Ross's body.
The detectives' initial suspicion latches onto David Hadderly, the prime suspect in his wife Kathy's murder. Footage from a camera capturing his car in proximity to Jean's residence around the time of Ross's death fuels their suspicions further. Yet, David's alibi of seeking refuge at his brother Andy's to sober up after a night of heavy drinking introduces a fresh face into the labyrinthine case, casting an even wider net of uncertainty.
Andy's entanglement in the case undergoes a breathtaking transformation when Ridley's piercing gaze latches onto the military reserve camp's insignia adorning his abode, unveiling the shocking truth: Andy, not David, was the sergeant on watch that fateful night when Kathy's demise was erroneously attributed. The revelation deepens when Lynne, Andy's wife, adds fuel to the fire, disclosing her chance discovery of Kathy's missing earring tucked away in his military jacket, a damning piece of evidence she surmises he deliberately planted at David's residence to deflect suspicion.
The episode reaches its crescendo with Andy's arrest, swiftly followed by a confession that shatters all preconceptions. He confesses to the forbidden love affair with Kathy and, consumed by rage, ended her life when she severed their ties. The layers of deception unravel further, revealing his Machiavellian plot to frame his own brother David and his manipulative tactics in weaving a web of deceit around Kathy's daughter, Sam, through misleading texts that kept her clinging to the hope that her mother was still alive.
But the ultimate shocker arrives like a bolt from the blue, shattering every assumption: It was Molly, Jean's daughter, who laid Ross to rest, not Jean or Andy. Driven by suspicion over Ross's deceitful ways, Molly confronted him upon discovering his betrayal. The confrontation spiraled into a physical altercation, resulting in Ross's untimely death, while Molly's subsequent silence allowed misdirection, implicating her mother unjustly.
The episode closes with Jean's arrest for obstructing justice, while Molly's potential fate shifts towards a more lenient outcome of self-defense. Ridley, whose skepticism had cast a shadow over everyone, finds solace amidst the chaos, vowing unwavering support for Jean as she navigates the treacherous legal landscape.
"The Hollow Tree Part 2" stands as a testament to the show's prowess in crafting intricate narratives, where every twist and turn leaves viewers breathless, peeling back layers of deceit and betrayal with each revelation. The writing is crisp, the performances are captivating, and the direction is nothing short of masterful, making this episode a hallmark within the series's rich tapestry. As the season unfolds, the anticipation mounts, inviting viewers to ponder over the myriad secrets yet to be uncovered and the far-reaching consequences they may hold for those ensnared in this labyrinth of sorrow and deceit.
