Episode 2 of "The Breakthrough" kicks off with Karin offering a cryptic portrayal of the perpetrator—a man devoid of distinctive facial hair (contrasting Ante's appearance) or any noticeable scars. In a bid to reassure the community of their active pursuit, John makes the composite sketch public. However, this gesture backfires during a press conference when an aggressive journalist, Stina, lambasts him for failing to apprehend the murderer and for making hollow pledges. Devastated by the ordeal, John plunges into the investigation, neglecting his wife, Anna, whose delivery date is imminent.
Elsewhere, Coach uncovers that Ante, driven by racial prejudice, lost his composure and abandoned the team. Upon visiting Ante's residence, Coach spots a prominently displayed Swedish flag in the living room and confronts Ante about his failure to participate in the DNA swab. Enraged, Ante expels Coach from his home.
That same night, Elena, Adnan's mother, receives a vile racist message urging her to vacate Sweden. The haunting reminders of Adnan everywhere prompt the family to relocate from the town. Saad, still grappling with his grief, vents his anger onto John, who vows unwaveringly to catch the killer.
In a poignant moment, Anna gives birth to Henry, and John arrives just in time to hold his tiny hand, the memory of Adnan resurfacing in his mind. Suddenly, a fresh witness emerges, prompting John to abruptly depart, much to Anna's disappointment. His colleagues urge him to delegate the case for her sake, but he firmly declines, asserting that Anna will be alright.
Meanwhile, Gunilla's husband, unable to find closure, clutches onto news articles about the ongoing investigation. John attempts to comfort him, assuring him that the perpetrator will be brought to justice, yet his demeanor seems trudged by despair.
As the clock ticked towards New Year's Eve, Anna made a poignant decision to relocate with her parents, leaving John to plead in vain for her to reconsider. Unyielding and resolute, she stood firm in her choice. Meanwhile, Ante found himself at the harrowing crime scene, now a solemn memorial to the lost souls of Adnan and Gunilla.
At a nearby bar, Stina chanced upon John, nursing his sorrow in a glass. Her heart went out to him as she inquired about his coping mechanisms. In a moment of vulnerability, he confessed his occasional inclination to surrender, a revelation that stunned her when she penned it into the newspaper the next day.
Sixteen years flew by, yet John remained unwavering in his pursuit of justice. However, his new supervisor, Miran, a pragmatic figure from Stockholm, delivered a harsh truth: funds for the case were exhausted, and John's talents were needed elsewhere. Despite his protests, Miran granted him a mere two weeks to conclude his quest.
Personal life crumbled too; Anna had divorced him and found solace in another man's arms, named Anders. Henry, a friend and sports enthusiast, felt betrayed when John missed his crucial match and canceled their weekend plans.
Returning home, a weary and disheartened John stumbled upon news of the Golden State Killer, apprehended 44 years after his reign of terror, thanks to a genealogy website. Inspired, John sought out Per Skogkvist, a DNA expert in Sundsvall, with a similar prowess.
Per, a history enthusiast somewhat oblivious to the nuances of human emotions, harbored a disdain for his technology being used merely to track absentee parents. His lectures, though informative, lacked the spark to engage his audience, who often attended merely to kill time.
At one such mundane lecture, John approached Per, seeking his expertise. The genealogist, with an unwavering confidence, declared that he could pinpoint the killer, provided they possessed his DNA. In the closing scene of The Breakthrough Episode 2, he emphasized the uniqueness of DNA, an immutable identifier. John, captivated by Per's assurance, saw a glimmer of hope amidst his long-standing ordeal.
