As the third chapter of "The Chelsea Detective" unfolds, the scene pans to the electric atmosphere of a Chelsea football match in full swing. Max Arnold (portrayed by Adrian Scarborough) exits the stadium alongside his companion, Carsten Hughes (Karl Collins), and they head to a cozy pub nearby. Steve O’Hara (played by Che Walker) is seen coaxing Siobhan (Sarah Smart) to partake in some nourishment. Upon his departure, Steve makes his way to Cooper’s Building Supplies, where a news bulletin crackles in the background, reporting on post-match brawls. As his supervisor approaches, their conversation pivots around the game and the impending possibility of intoxicated revelers stirring trouble later in the night. Steve is handed an envelope containing an unspecified sum of money.
Later, under the cloak of darkness, Steve patrols the premises, meticulously checking the locks. Back in the security booth, the camera feeds inexplicably cut out, prompting Steve to venture out for a manual inspection. While he surveys the surroundings, a knife clatters to the ground, an ominous harbinger of doom.
Switching gears, we find Max aboard a boat, with Carsten slumbering peacefully beside him. Siobhan, glancing at her phone, finds it barren of any awaited messages. Meanwhile, Artie (Craig Blake), their boss, arrives at Cooper’s to find Steve conspicuously absent. Max prepares a beverage for Carsten, and their brief chat about the match is abruptly interrupted by Carsten’s hasty exit. Worried about Steve, Siobhan attempts to reach him by phone. Tragically, two workers discover Steve’s lifeless body at Cooper’s.
Upon Max and DS Priya Shamsie’s (Sonita Henry) arrival, Ashley Wilton (Sophie Stone) solemnly informs them of the victim’s identity – Steve O’Hara. Preliminary estimates suggest he perished sometime between 1 AM and 4 AM, though pinpointing the exact time is challenging. Ashley presents them with the knife and drugs discovered nearby, alongside Steve’s mobile phone, hinting that his demise was swift and violent. The absence of defensive wounds puzzles the authorities.
Max ponders potential scenarios until Ashley shows him an ID found in Steve’s jacket, sparking a mention of Brinston Close. Max instructs Priya to handle the next of kin notification while assigning Connor and Jess to the crime scene and witness investigation. They proceed to Steve and Siobhan’s residence, where a nurse cautiously warns of Siobhan’s fragile state but relents and grants them entry.
After breaking the heart-wrenching news, they inquire about anyone who might harbor ill will towards Steve. Max takes the nurse, Paulo Mendez (Ricardo Castro), aside and learns he works only during daylight hours and had left around seven, coinciding with Steve’s departure for work. Confronted with the drugs found, Siobhan asserts no one would harm Steve, extolling him as a hero, an assertion backed by the sight of Steve’s local hero award proudly displayed on the mantelpiece. Priya’s gaze reflects Siobhan’s unwavering admiration amidst repeated denials, Paulo gently reminding them of her ill health.
Returning to Cooper’s, they interrogate the boss, who clarifies Steve’s role as the night security guard and his leniency towards Steve’s visits to Siobhan, who resides just five minutes away and battles cancer. Artie confirms the presence of CCTV and is quizzed about his whereabouts the previous night, setting the stage for further unraveling of the mystery.
Artie claims he was nestled at home with his kin when questioned. When prodded about the hero certificate, he revealed that Steve had bravery in his heart, chasing a group of drug-peddling children and making a citizen's arrest. Steve was a staunch advocate against drugs. At the precinct, Priya informed everyone that the assault unfolded halfway between Cooper's and Steve's Brinston Close abode. Max sought to verify that Steve frequently popped back home during his work's lull. Detective Constable Jess Lombard (played by Lucy Phelps) delved into the local hero saga and discovered Steve's daring pursuit and apprehension of a cocaine-wielding gang of teenagers, with Finn Davidson being one of those apprehended. Priya was intent on pursuing Artie Sylvester further and initiating a background check on Paulo Mendez.
At his residence, Paulo confided in Siobhan, concocting a potion stronger than usual, believing she needed it after her ordeal. Meanwhile, the police conducted a search at Cooper's, while Artie received a call he chose to ignore, instead sending a message asking them to desist temporarily. The money Steve received from Artie was discovered and tallied.
Subsequently, Priya and Max met with Ashley, who enlightened them about the entry wound in Steve's lower abdomen, suggesting it ascended through his organs into the aorta. The angle convinced Ashley that the assailant stood very close to Steve during the attack. She demonstrated the trajectory before revealing an injury on Steve's temple, inflicted by a missing blunt object. In response to Max's inquiry, Ashley affirmed the absence of defensive wounds, implying the assailant was likely known to Steve. She stated that the murder weapon matched the dimensions of an ordinary kitchen knife, akin to the one discovered at the crime scene, with significant blood splatter expected. Ashley then presented the keys and wallet found at the scene. Though the wallet was empty, 500 pounds in cash were uncovered in the portacabin. Max pondered if the suspect had panicked, abandoning the knife and drugs.
Priya posited this theory hinged on the assumption that Steve was a buyer rather than a seller, despite his aversion to drugs. Max found Steve's tattoo collection intriguing, albeit personally unappealing. When Max inquired about Priya's stance on tattoos, she deemed it none of his concern. Max pedaled his bike to the crime scene, where a memorial for Steve stood. A disheveled man approached to lay flowers, but upon seeing nearby officers, he hastily departed. Max snapped a photo of the tattoo on the man's arm and engaged him briefly. When the man spotted the police, he dashed away. Max inspected the card he left, discovering a note inscribed, "You kept the faith, Steve. We don’t forget you."
Priya and Nitin (portrayed by Davood Ghadami) succeed in lulling their baby into a peaceful slumber. Driven by her passion for interior design, Priya is eager to complete her painting project by the weekend. As they discuss potential hues, Priya receives a text message accompanied by a photo that Max had taken of a tattoo belonging to an enigmatic stranger.
Come morning, Max encounters a plumbing issue aboard his boat while attempting to commence his daily routine with a brush of his teeth. Ashley's call abruptly interrupts, imparting initial insights from the crime scene investigation—revealing a mix of heroin and fentanyl, yet lacking thrilling revelations. The surrounding terrain poses additional challenges, being a desolate place.
Shortly after, Astrid's (played by Anamaria Marinca) unexpected arrival prompts Max to hastily conclude his conversation with Ashley. She casually requests a glass of water, unaware of the plumbing woes that complicate Max's efforts to oblige. He admits his helplessness just as she broaches the pressing matter of selling their flat. Handing him brochures from various real estate agents, Astrid lambasts Max for his avoidant attitude, urging they present a united front for the sake of their future.
Meanwhile, Finn Davison (portrayed by Jack Cooper Stimpson), accompanied by his attorney, is summoned to the police station for an interview. Upon Max's arrival, DC Connor Pollock (embodied by Peter Bankole) presents him with a dossier brimming with information pertinent to Finn. When Priya and Max enter the interview room, Finn gripes about the lengthy wait.
Elsewhere, Jess confides in Connor, speculating that Finn's legal representation was funded by his parents. Finn, when quizzed about Steve, dismisses him as a meddlesome fool who publicly assaulted him in front of peers, only to be honored for his actions. Informing Finn of Steve's demise, they confront him with incriminating social media posts branding Steve as a 'fat idiot' and expressing relief at his absence. Finn dismisses these as private ventings. Another post, dated weeks prior, warns Steve to be wary. Finn expresses ignorance regarding the 1998 Malicious Communications Act upon being questioned about it.
Pressed about his whereabouts between 10 PM and 4 AM the night before last, Finn claims he was at a Chelsea football match with friends who would attest to his presence. Following the game, a subset of them retreated to the 404 Club, where Finn insists he remained, save for brief smoking breaks totaling no more than half an hour. The interrogation intensifies until Finn earnestly expresses hope that they do not suspect him of Steve's murder.
Exiting the interview room, Max expresses his intent to verify Finn's alibi by investigating the 404 Club. Priya and Connor share a humorous exchange at Max's expense for his unfamiliarity with the venue. Determined to corroborate Finn's story, Max requests they scrutinize his and his friends' social media activities. Their discussion is cut short when Max is summoned back to the interview room. Upon returning, Finn concedes that CCTV footage will indeed show him stepping out of the club around 2:30 AM.
He ventured to his girlfriend's apartment, driven by the hope that she might wish to join their company. Deep down, he acknowledged the foolishness of his actions but disclosed them to the police, believing in the paramountcy of honesty in such conversations. The following day, she ended their relationship via a callous text message. Finn steadfastly assured everyone that his breakup had no bearing on Steve's situation.
As Finn revealed the text-based breakup, Max persuaded him to allow them to scrutinize his phone, and Finn relented, handing it over as the interview concluded. Max jestingly remarked to Priya about the entitled, pampered progeny of Chelsea's elite. They joined Jess, who revealed that the local hero initiative was conceived by Ricky Hopkinson. His wife, Diana, resided with him in Cranfield Gardens. Artie mentioned Steve's day job at the Chelsea Nursery, owned by Diana herself.
Connor disclosed that the CCTV footage from Cooper's had been deactivated at 3 AM on the night of the murder, hinting that Steve might have disabled it before visiting Siobhan. The discovery of 500 pounds in cash further compounded their suspicions, prompting Max to suggest re-interviewing Artie due to his unresolved reservations.
Max described Ricky Hopkinson as a once-prominent local businessman. Connor confronted Artie about the CCTV switch-off, which Artie dismissed as Steve's routine, asserting he felt secure returning home during the blind spot, albeit without verification. Connor's inquiry about the reason behind Steve carrying such a large amount of cash left Artie clueless, though he admitted to having shielded Steve excessively during his visits to Siobhan.
Max and Priya visited Diana and Ricky. Diana instructed a staff member to greet only those genuinely interested in the gardens, creating an aura of exclusivity. Once seated, Ricky and Diana learned of their investigation into a local man's demise. Diana recalled Steve as the vigilant individual who apprehended drug-dealing teenagers. Ricky claimed they barely knew Steve but offered him a job at the nursery out of pity. They were oblivious to any motive for harming Steve. Diana revealed they had worked late into the night to prepare for the nursery's opening. Ricky insisted they hadn't left home, clarifying they weren't seeking an alibi as they weren't suspects.
Unexpectedly, Olivia Arnold intruded, stealing pamphlets for the garden. Ricky confessed that Steve inspired the local hero scheme due to police resource constraints. When Max inquired about his current endeavors, Ricky revealed his involvement in import, export, and strategic investments.
Ricky assures everyone with a pledge of transparency, extending his hand to Max for a firm handshake, revealing a prominent tattoo peeking from beneath his sleeve. As he exits the scene, Olivia storms in, lambasting the opportunistic souls exploiting the opening day to publicize their exorbitantly priced garden center. She reveals her volunteer role as a photographer for the coveted Best-Tended Herbaceous Border award, prompting Olivia and Priya to persuade Max to join them as an additional judge. As Olivia prepares to depart, she casually inquires about Max's boat and agrees to drop by the following evening. Priya commends Max on his aunt's endearing charm, while Ricky approaches Diana, querying the nature of the commotion. Diana offers no insight but gripes about the repercussions of employing individuals like Steve.
At the precinct, Connor laments his fruitless encounter with Artie. Max ponders whether anyone actually credits Artie's assertions. Connor, however, unveils intriguing CCTV footage captured around the O'Hara flat, depicting Steve confronting and shoving someone against the wall. The fleeing figure is unmistakable to Max and Priya. Sitting outdoors, they delve into the topic of palliative care and the emotional bonds caregivers can form with their patients. When Paulo emerges, they confront him, presenting the footage from the day preceding Steve's murder. Priya presses him on the nature of their dispute, to which Paulo concedes he disapproved of Steve's illegal drug procurement to alleviate his pain.
From her window, Siobhan eavesdrops as Paulo clarifies he had supplied her with heroin. He attests to being at home with his partner the night before last. Inside, they quiz Siobhan about Steve's supposed evening routine of checking on her, but she dismisses it. She wonders if they imply Steve engaged in misconduct, suggesting he might have chased a drug dealer but insisting it's not her concern to unravel his fate. She concedes that speculating won't revive him.
Back at the office, Connor checks in on Jess, who reveals she has a date lined up for the evening. Connor, assuming otherwise, is corrected by Jess, who teases him about gender stereotypes. Diving deeper into the CCTV, Jess uncovers Paulo meeting with someone, possibly engaging in an exchange. Connor cross-references this with a list of registered UK nurses, noting Paulo's absence. Jess receives a message, her excitement confirming it's from a promising prospect, after all.
At work, Artie's curiosity piqued by an odd sound, leads him to investigate. Priya and Max arrive to find the gate unchained. Suddenly, Artie is assailed by the individual who left floral tributes at Steve's memorial. Max rushes to Artie's aid, lifting a heavy wooden plank off him. Reporting back at the station, Max identifies the assailant as the same person he witnessed at the crime scene. Connor is tasked with assessing Artie's fitness for an interview. Jess verifies Finn's alibi, clearing him from suspicion as he couldn't have been near the crime scene. His photo is promptly removed from the investigation board.
Artie has officially discharged himself, signaling that he has recovered sufficiently to engage in conversation. Max and Jess delve into an interrogation with Paulo, probing the encounter they uncovered on CCTV. Paulo somberly remarks that cancer is a cruel disease, and death doesn't always come peacefully in one's sleep. Max, swayed by the heartache of witnessing suffering, inquires about Paulo's recent activities. As Connor and Priya approach Artie, he unequivocally states his reluctance to press charges. He unveils that the perpetrator was Taffy Clarke, a friend of Steve's (portrayed by Dermot Keaney). Pauloconfides in the detectives that Steve was incensed, yet it was Siobhan who persuaded him and even supplied the dealer's name. Paulo asserts his reluctance to implicate anyone but concedes Jess might suspect his unregistered status as a nurse in the UK.
He clarifies that, despite being a qualified nurse in Brazil, he awaits his UK license. Max reproaches him for breaking the law, to which Paulo responds by emphasizing the pressing need for his services, as many shy away from caring for terminally ill patients.
Artie alleges that Taffy harassed him for employment, which he denied due to Taffy's alcoholism and their scant acquaintance. He is uncertain of Taffy's surname. Skeptical, Connor accuses Artie of collaborating with Taffy and Steve in drug trafficking, but Artie insists it was unrelated to narcotics. He eventually confesses to selling excess stock for cash with Steve, speculating that Taffy discovered this and sought to exploit it. Siobhan remained oblivious to their endeavors. Regarding Taffy's whereabouts, Artie is uncertain but suggests they might inquire at a posh garden where Taffy previously worked with Steve. Paulo informs Max and Jess that he was at home with his partner, information they had already verified. When pressed about the dealer, he jots down "Marac Ata." Paulo excuses himself to attend to Siobhan, but Max refuses to let him go, asserting that nursing would be better off without his brand of "care."
Post-interview, Max receives a call and agrees to a meeting, tasking Jess with pursuing the Marac Ata lead and mentioning Taffy's name. Jess presents Paulo's bank records, revealing regular CHAPS payments. Upon discovering the source, Max decides to purchase plants. During their ride with Priya, Max ponders whether Artie's building scam is unrelated to the murder. Artie provided names for investigation, but Priya doubts they'll yield results. They arrive at the nursery and inquire about Diana. Meanwhile, Connor and Jess confront Marac Ata (played by Cengiz Dervis), who subsequently accompanies them. Diana informs Max and Priya that Steve was a stranger to most. She acknowledges Taffy's sporadic employment but emphasizes his unreliability, leading to his termination. Soon after, Diana retrieves Taffy Clarke's details from the computer system for them. Max snapshots the information, reminiscing about when the Chelsea Nursery was a humble flower stall off Kings Road. He queries Diana about Siobhan and shows her a photo of Paulo, inquiring if she recognizes him.
Max elaborates, revealing that Paulo has been under her employment for the past six months. Diana dismisses it as a mere gesture, cautioning against overthinking its implications, adding that her husband is scarcely involved in the business affairs. Her anxiety grows as she suspects they might accuse her of assaulting Steve O'Hara personally. Marac is brought into the precinct and shown the surveillance footage capturing his interaction with Paulo on May 23rd. They presume he understands English and surmise this isn't his inaugural visit to a police station. He requests a second viewing of the footage before noncommittally stating that it could have been anyone. Marac feigns ignorance of Paulo's identity, questioning Paulo's trustworthiness. Jess fills him in on Steve O'Hara's predicament and his wife's involvement. He is also questioned about his whereabouts on Saturday night.
Accusing them of singling him out due to his nationality, Marac insists he was at home as per usual. Unable to provide proof since he resides alone and doesn't indulge in late-night phone conversations, he nonetheless permits them to examine his phone for any links between him, Steve, and Paulo. Following this, Jess and Connor reconvene with Max and Priya. They express uncertainty about uncovering anything incriminating on Marac's phone and lament the absence of Taffy. Their investigation into Artie's background yields no connection to the murder. Regarding the Hopkinsons, they await a fraud report amidst a tangled web of interconnected companies they've been untangling for some time. Max announces their need to make some breakthroughs before retreating to review the evidence at his boat.
Just as he receives an email containing the Ricky Hopkinson fraud report, Olivia arrives, prompting him to postpone opening it. Over drinks, Max inquires about the photographs she sent him from the open gardens day, asking if she has more from a similar vantage point. She confirms and hands him her camera. He peruses the pictures while Olivia retrieves a notice about his flat being listed for sale. Max steadfastly denies any intention to sell. Olivia, drawing from personal experience, muses that as one ages, the wisdom of companionship over solitude becomes clearer. Though Jane drove her to distraction, Olivia admits she missed her absence. They concur that Max and Astrid were once a perfect match, but Max reveals they are no longer suited.
Meanwhile, Diana engages in packing, while Siobhan attempts to reach Taffy, only for his phone to die mid-call. Oblivious, Taffy takes a sip of alcohol and leaves his phone on a bench. Ricky stumbles upon his wife burning items in a barrel outside, to which she responds by asserting she is as usual tidying up after him. That night, Max forwards the advertisement photo to Astrid, seeking clarification. As he sits down to scrutinize the evidence, a tattoo catches his eye. Zooming in, he employs a photo editing tool to uncover a different tattoo beneath Ricky's. The following day, he meets with Carsten, who is engrossed in coaching a girls' soccer team. Carsten confesses to having squandered his earnings during his heyday, now coaching for meager pay. Max seeks his expertise regarding Chelsea tattoos. Upon showing him the tattoo in question, Carsten explains it signifies membership in the Chelsea Headhunters, a violent, racist gang with few black players during their heyday. He admits many members held reputable jobs. The soccer session concludes shortly thereafter.
At the bustling station, Max imparted to the gathered crowd that Ricky, Steve, and Taffy were intricately tied to both the nursery and the notorious Chelsea Headhunters. Connor's eyes widened in astonishment as he overheard Max mention his conversation with Carsten Hughes, the idol who had captivated his childhood imagination.
Later, Priya and Max converged with Siobhan, sharing their intentions to chase down various leads. They inquired whether she had any companions to offer her support, to which Siobhan responded enigmatically, questioning the need for friends now that Steve, her former friend, was gone. When pressed about the Headhunters, Siobhan evaded a direct answer. The mention of Taffy Clarke prompted her to reveal his true name: Brennon Clarke. Claiming illness as her motivation to continue forward, Priya privately confessed to Max that it was challenging to exert pressure on someone in such a fragile state. Max pondered whether Siobhan was exploiting her condition to deflect their inquiries.
Priya speculated that Steve had met someone in the dead of night who sold him drugs, and that this individual ultimately ended his life. Turning the conversation to her living arrangements, which she shared with Nitin, Max inquired about what would happen if they were to separate. Priya admitted she had never contemplated such a scenario. Max remarked that such considerations often go unthought, yet they do occur. He mused that while murders could be solved, the complexities of relationships often left him baffled.
In search of Brennon, they ventured to St. Anthony's Refuge. Upon locating him, they discovered that he was provided with shelter at the hostel. Brennon explained that his nickname "Taffy" originated from a lively away match in Cardiff where tempers flared and someone was hospitalized. He acknowledged knowing Steve but was uncertain about his involvement with the Headhunters. Steve had been entangled in workplace troubles orchestrated by Artie, a notorious troublemaker. Suspecting this as the motive behind Taffy's attack on Artie, they learned that Siobhan had tried to reach Taffy after Steve's demise, despite his phone and job being lost.
Priya inquired about Taffy's whereabouts on the night Steve was killed. He steadfastly maintained that Steve was his friend and recounted how, after a game, he got into a altercation and spent the night in Fulham's detention center. Blaming it on alcohol, Taffy suggested that his church attendance for prayer was a means of redemption.
Elsewhere, Max discussed with Astrid the possibility of advertising their flat in the Chelsea Gazette, contrary to her earlier refusal. She insisted it was a mistake and emphasized the necessity of action, given that Max was still covering half the mortgage and the boat's rent. An agent approached, interested in renting or selling one of the nearby boats, as Astrid revealed her discovery of a new apartment near the stadium. She emphasized the need for a new plan, to which Max countered by reminding her of their original vow-based plan. She, however, argued for the necessity of a Plan B.
After Astrid's departure, Max retreated indoors, turning up the music to annoy the estate agent. Later, he stumbled upon an article detailing the hunt for the Headhunters, twenty years after the Copenhagen incident. Learning that hooligans had tarnished the final game in Copenhagen, he reached out to Priya, sharing his discovery of a Leeds family seeking justice for the Istanbul violence.
He dispatches her the photograph extracted from the report, inquiring if she can discern any acquaintances amidst the faces. Before the call terminates, Priya acknowledges receipt, her tone tinged with amusement as she exchanges banter with Nitin, while Max persists in scrutinizing the images.
The following day, they collect Ricky, with Jess and Connor accompanying another individual. Ricky is stationed in the station's lobby while Jess verifies Connor's preparedness. Max gives the green light, prompting Connor to usher in Marac, who casts a lingering gaze in Ricky's direction. They observe via CCTV as Marac takes a seat beside Ricky, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.
In the interview room, Max informs Ricky of their desire to discuss the Copenhagen brawl. They present him with a vintage snap of him and Steve, despite his earlier claim of only meeting a couple of months ago. When Ricky denies acquaintance with Marac Ata, he's cautioned about the repercussions of withholding information and the police's valuable time being squandered. They delve into his history of violence and incarceration during Max's tenure in the fraud squad, though Ricky insists it was a setup. Now, he faces inquiries from the fraud squad, but their primary focus is the Headhunters and Steve. Ricky dismisses their past as youthful indiscretions, expressing pity for Steve, whom he characterizes as a mere hanger-on. He maintains that he funded Siobhan's care, rendering him devoid of motive to terminate Steve. The notion of Steve winning Siobhan's affection astounds Ricky.
Max is astounded to learn of this revelation last night. Connor requests Ricky's departure from the station, as Max and Priya hastily depart to confront Siobhan. Connor inquires if fans once mimicked monkey sounds during Carsten Hughes and other black players' matches, to which Ricky responds eagerly seeking his exit. Marac trails him out.
Max interrogates Siobhan about the Istanbul match in 2000, where two fans were fatally stabbed, with a third fatality surfacing subsequently – her brother, Vince Taylor. Priya notices a kitchen knife missing. Max alleges that English firms buried their hatchets to exact revenge at the Copenhagen final. Steve, Taffy, and Ricky from the Chelsea contingent were present. She's shown the photo, where she sits to the left. Max recounts a brawl that erupted with a Galatasaray supporters' gang, among them Marac Ata, who has limped ever since. While Ricky evaded capture, Marac sought ingress into his property.
Siobhan reveals that Ricky was the one who assaulted Ata, while Steve's beating was so severe that it rendered him infertile. She explains that she sat on Ricky's knee in the photo due to her infatuation with him, settling for Steve as she knew she couldn't have Ricky. When queried about locating Marac, she reveals they tracked the gangs responsible for Vince's murder. Ata, the ringleader, resurfaced in London selling drugs that autumn. She conceived the plan to eliminate Ata and would've executed it herself had she possessed the strength. She confesses to a two-decade wait and meticulous planning, realizing retrospectively that Steve would foul it up.
As for Taffy, his assistance was as elusive as ever; he deserted her, just like everyone else had. Ata stood at the pool's edge, a somber figure against the backdrop of Ricky's rhythmic laps. Diana, catching sight of him, hastily dialed the police. Max swiftly apprehended Siobhan for conspiring to murder Marac Ata, yet she shrugged it off with indifferent disregard. Diana dashed outdoors, her heart pounding, determined to halt Ata's grim task of submerging Ricky's head beneath the water. Fortunately, Connor and the others arrived in the nick of time, overpowering Ata and securing his arrest. Ricky's惊恐的尖叫 echoed, lambasting Ata for not finishing him off when he had the chance, insisting on his innocence as the aggrieved party. However, Max harbored doubts, particularly since his fraud squad contacts had already issued a warrant for Ricky's arrest.
Later, Max contemplated Ata's likely self-defense claim for Steve's sake, but Priya dismissed it outright in regard to the attempted murder of Ricky. She declared, with an air of disbelief, that once a thug, always a thug, before acknowledging Connor's commendable actions. Surprisingly, Priya found herself feeling sorry for Siobhan, struggling to fathom how such a turmoil could erupt over a mere football game. Max, however, commented that to some, football was indeed a matter of life and death.
Upon Priya's return home, she was met with the pleasant surprise of her room already painted with a fresh coat. Meanwhile, Max engaged in a phone conversation with Astrid about relocation, only to notice Carsten lounging on the deck of his boat. They agreed to toast to Chelsea's triumphant season with a shared drink, celebrating their resilient finish amidst the turmoil.
