In the riveting second chapter of the third season of "The Outlaws," our protagonists are propelled into an even more profound whirlpool of chaos, their worlds spinning ever more dangerously out of control. Rani Rekowski (Rhianne Barreto), now a fugitive from the law, finds herself hotly pursued by DS Selforth (Kojo Kamara), who has unearthed the damning murder weapon—a blade fatal to Smiler (Rhys Yates)—tucked away in her belongings.
Meanwhile, The Dean (Claes Bang), seething with rage from behind prison bars, grapples with the consequences of being framed for drug possession by Rani and her cohorts. This scurrilous act has not only depleted his finances but also ignited a fierce power struggle within his criminal syndicate. To compound his woes, he unleashes a chilling warning upon John Halloran's (Darren Boyd) family, elevating the stakes to unprecedented heights.
Desperately seeking an escape route, The Dean orchestrates a brutal prison riot, showcasing his unyielding ruthlessness and formidable strength. His lawyer, acting as his conduit of terror, delivers a spine-chilling threat to John while the latter is merely navigating the streets in his taxi.
The situation spirals downwards as Ben (Gamba Cole) finds himself ensnared by the law. DS Selforth confronts Sgt. Haines (Grace Calder) about her complicity in planting drugs, ultimately leading them to Ben's doorstep. Rani, clutching the incriminating murder weapon, is left with no alternative but to flee.
Yet, amidst this tangled web of despair, a spark of hope flickers. In a moment of clarity, Rani recalls the address of a storage facility mentioned by Smiler. This facility could potentially serve as their sanctuary once The Dean is freed. However, there's a stipulation—accessing it necessitates Smiler's fingerprints, casting a shadow of uncertainty over their prospects.
Driven by a desperate urgency, John, Greg (portrayed by Stephen Merchant), and Myrna Okeke (played by Clare Perkins) resort to a macabre deed. They exhume Smiler's corpse and embark on a ghastly endeavor—chopping off his fingers. Their morbid scheme is brutally interrupted when a dog walker happens upon the grim scene, promptly alerting the authorities.
As the police descend upon them like a storm, Burgess (Ricky Grover) joins the fray, adding another layer of intricacy to the investigation. He and Selforth grill Ben, further tightening the noose around their necks. Just when all seems lost and hopeless, Greg manages to wrangle Ben's release from their clutches.
Elsewhere, a clandestine meeting unfolds. Rani drops a bombshell on Greg and John—revealing that Burgess was the one who had dispatched Smiler to his untimely demise.
On a different front, a glimmer of hope flickers to life. John and Myrna arrive at the storage facility and, armed with the severed fingers, gain access to a particular locker. Inside, they uncover a seemingly innocuous mobile phone. Yet, this mundane device harbors an unexpected treasure trove—a solitary video recorded by Smiler.
In the video, Smiler addresses his beloved, unveiling the existence of a hard disk that contains incriminating evidence of The Dean's criminal endeavors. This hard disk could be the ultimate ace in the hole, turning the tables and affording the group a fighting chance to vanquish The Dean and secure a semblance of safety.
The episode concludes on a knife-edge cliffhanger, with The Dean seemingly poised for release and the fate of the community service crew hanging by a thread. Will the hard disk emerge as their salvation, or will they be compelled to face the wrath of The Dean? Only the unfolding chapters of The Outlaws' thrilling saga will reveal the answer.
