Episode 7 of "The Hunting Party" unfolds in Hawaii, the picturesque setting of 2003, where newlyweds embark on their honeymoon suite amidst an aura of blissful anticipation. However, this idyllic scene takes a chilling turn when the bride takes a sip of her champagne, resulting in a sudden choking fit. It transpires that this harrowing ordeal is orchestrated by Mark Marsden, the groom, and the episode's sinister killer. In cold blood, Mark guides her to the bathtub and brutally drowns her, sealing her fate.
In the present timeline, Carol devotes herself to volunteering at the church, diligently spearheading a food drive. Her tireless efforts, spanning long hours, reflect a genuine compassion for those less fortunate. Unfortunately, her night takes a harrowing detour when Marsden snatches her while she's alone at her car.
At the hospital, Shane encounters Patty, a nurse from the home, who confronts him about his deceitful claim of being part of Dulles' family. Shane acknowledges the complexity of the situation before hastily departing. Meanwhile, Dulles' genuine family arrives, venting their anger and frustration. His daughter, determined to uncover the truth, decides to follow Shane to the airbase.
The Pit receives a crucial lead on Mark Marsden, primarily due to CCTV footage revealing the distinctive three-ring tattoos on his finger—a macabre memento of each of his wives, now victims. Nicknamed "The Widower," Marsden harbors deep-seated abandonment issues stemming from a painful breakup at 15, which led him to commit a heinous murder.
Initially, Marsden framed the first two murders as accidents, but the third led to his incarceration. His modus operandi doesn't fit the current crime, as Carol, his latest target, is not a wife but a former Pit employee. Carol, an admin worker who spent five years at the Pit, sustained an injury during her tenure and was released on the same day Marsden targeted her.
Why did Mark set his sights on Carol? The revelation unfolds: the Pit subjected Marsden to exposure therapy, forcing him into repeated marriages with Carol in a desperate bid to curb his murderous urges. Ironically, this strategy backfired, merely presenting Marsden with his next victim.
To further entangle the already complex situation, it transpires that Carol has succumbed to love for Mark, creating a mutual obsession that deepens their dangerous bond. Bex, perceptive as ever, diagnoses Carol with hybristophilia—a psychological condition characterized by an inexplicable attraction to those with criminal tendencies. This transformation in Carol's psyche may have roots in the tragic loss of her husband six months prior to her employment with Marsden.
In a dramatic twist at the dress shop, Mark's rage unleashes in a violent outburst, culminating in the fatal shooting of one shop assistant while Carol remains oblivious in the car. His dwindling self-control is unmistakable, yet a glimmer of hope remains as one of his victims survives, giving Bex and her team a vital lead.
Carol and Mark flee the scene in a stolen van, unwittingly trapping a frightened teenager in the rear. Mark's darkness consumes him further as he disposes of the poor youth off-screen—or so it's presumed, for he leads Carol into the woods, claiming he's merely restrained him elsewhere. Carol's suspicions grow, however faintly, recognizing the monster lurking beneath Mark's facade.
Bex reaches out to Carol, desperation threading through her voice as she tries to sway Carol's deceived heart. Their conversation is abruptly cut short as they abandon the phone by the roadside. Yet, Bex and her companions piece together their intended escape route to Nevada, where they plan to marry. Carol, deluded by her belief in Mark's redemption, remains unconvinced until Bex's phone call pierces her illusion, albeit momentarily. Agreeing to play along for the sake of her safety, Carol buys time as Bex and the team race against the clock.
At the altar, Mark repeats his sinister vows, identical to those he's uttered to his previous victims, triggering Carol's latent suspicions into a cacophony of realization. She rejects him at the altar, but Mark's descent into madness leads him to brandish a gun, plunging their ceremony into chaos.
Bex and her companions arrive just in the nick of time, yet a tense confrontation unfolds. With precision and expertise, Bex fires through the bolted door, striking Mark dead in an instant. As for Carol, she's slowly recovering from her ordeal and has been spared the fate of imprisonment. Bex and her group vow to lend her their support and secure the assistance she desperately needs.
In the dimly lit bar, Shane senses that Dulles' daughter has taken to shadowing him, and their disguise is promptly compromised. The two engage in conversation, though the details of their exchange remain largely concealed from our view at present.
Elsewhere, Odell, Hassani, and Bex make their way to Silo 12. The facility stands deserted, a chilling tableau of abandoned despair. The abundance of blood and the conspicuous absence of corpses hint at a grim massacre, one that has been meticulously concealed. Further incriminating evidence suggests that cruel experiments were carried out here on various prisoners, and within the eerily silent boardroom, a viewing window overlooks a scene of unspeakable horrors.
