The third episode of Season 2 of "Surface" resumes in San Francisco, a week prior to James's uninvited appearance at Sophie's party. James makes an appearance to consult with one of his informants, who has been monitoring Sophie's bitcoin transactions. There has been recent activity in the account, pinpointing its origin to the exclusive Mayfair district of London. Without hesitation, James boards a flight to track down Sophie, revealing that he has been shadowing her for quite some time, meticulously mapping her every move. This narrative leads us inevitably to the fateful night of the party, where James skillfully talks his way in.
Following their uneasy encounter, which ultimately leads to nowhere, Sophie sternly warns him to stay away. However, undeterred, James sends her a message requesting a meeting to discuss matters further.
Meanwhile, Callum receives a stark warning: to abandon his current case and refrain from mentioning Phoebe Davis's name. The editor cautions him that continuing down this path could spell ruin for his career. Unconvinced by the official suicide ruling in Phoebe's case, especially given the pressure to silence her, Callum defiantly chooses to persist in his investigation.
Now, her murder makes perfect sense, considering Quinn's frequent patronage of this prostitute. Whispers claim that on one fateful night, he overindulged in alcohol and let slip some family secrets, hinting at enigmatic disappearances. Moreover, the very same doctor who authenticated Tess' mother's death certificate was also William Huntley's physician, an odd coincidence that seemingly underscores a clandestine conspiracy.
When James fails to appear at Somerset House, the designated meeting spot, instead opting to leave a bottle of champagne at her doorstep accompanied by a note, the temptation is too strong for Tess to resist. The alcohol's bait lures her out, where she discovers a backpack filled with her ID and an assortment of mementos from Season 1. Yet, James remains a phantom, observing her from afar like a specter. Meanwhile, Quinn appears equally disturbed by the unfolding drama.
Elsewhere, the reasons behind Eliza's unease around Tess become clearer. A harrowing incident from their youthful days at the stables reveals a dark chapter; Eliza sustained severe injuries after a fall, and Tess, caught in a moment of panic, abandoned her and fled. The two haven't exchanged words since that traumatic day.
Callum returns to the hotel with the intention of bribing the bartender, Nicholas, to divulge the identity of the champagne's sender to Sophie's room. However, his inquiries yield little fruit, as Nicholas remains tight-lipped and uncooperative.
Quinn makes his way to work, where his lawyer, Richard, delivers the devastating news that Phoebe has passed away. Stunned beyond belief, Quinn's shock deepens further when he subtly gathers that her death was no suicide, but rather a vicious means to silence her once and for all.
Meanwhile, Sophie, armed with the vast sums from the digital accounts, attempts to lure James out of his hiding place by indulging in lavish spending on exquisite jewelry and opulent gifts. Her ploy proves successful, as James finally agrees to meet with her that very night.
James arrives seeking answers from Tess, his voice tinged with confusion and accusation as he wonders about her true intentions and mocks her for adopting her old "dress-up" antics. Tess, notorious for exploiting others for her gain, finds herself on the receiving end of James' raw emotions. He confesses his heartache and loss, recalling how he mourned her supposed death, barely able to stomach food. Now, confronted with her very much alive and seemingly uncaring demeanor, something inside him has shattered, fueling his desire for revenge.
Following their tense exchange, Tess encounters Eliza later that evening, who mentions the idea of a ride at the stables. Seeing it as an escape or perhaps a new plan, Tess decides that a ride under the open sky would indeed be a welcome distraction, and the episode draws to a close on this note of impending action.
