Episode 5 of "The Åre Murders" kicks off with Hanna and Daniel's arrival at the hotel, greeted by a scene of utter disarray. Rebecka is nowhere to be found, her hotel room left desolate and barren. A frantic search ensues, with Anton's tip about a van with a broken taillight resurfacing like a specter from the past. CCTV footage reveals Ole's car, prompting Hanna to insist on scouring the nearby vicinity, even though the task seems akin to searching for a needle in an endless haystack.
Hanna is racked with guilt, haunted by the thought of leaving Rebecka unattended. Daniel offers solace, reassuring her that they are both doing their utmost under the circumstances. He gently persuades her to take a much-needed respite before resuming their desperate search.
As dawn breaks, the officers impart crucial information to Hanna and Daniel about an old, now-defunct factory where Ole once toiled. Meanwhile, in the dim, musty confines of an attic, Rebecka awakens to the reality of her plight, her injuries evident as she coughs up blood. Upon hearing Ole's approaching footsteps, she swiftly conceals a wooden plank and, with a mixture of desperation and cunning, wields it to fend him off. Her moment of triumph is short-lived, but it's enough for her to escape the ominous building and plunge into a raging snowstorm.
Hanna and Daniel, accompanied by a police helicopter, arrive at the factory just in time. From above, officers in the chopper spy two figures flitting through the forest. As they rush to Rebecka's aid, Ole stands poised to end her life with a rock. Daniel's quick reflexes save the day, his shot ringing out and bringing Ole's reign of terror to an abrupt halt. Rebecka is whisked away in an ambulance, her fight for survival far from over.
Back at the precinct, Grip urges Daniel to take the evening off, a reprieve he sorely needs. The following day, however, he must confront the grim reality of his actions with his supervisors. Later that night, the tension in Daniel's life escalates as Ida returns, her mother's incessant phone calls about Alice echoing in her ears. Their argument over his parenting skills reaches a boiling point, culminating in Daniel slamming his fist into a nearby table in frustration when she draws unflattering comparisons to his father. Heartbroken and furious, Ida orders him to leave.
Elsewhere, Anton dials Carl's number, his voice tinged with urgency. He reveals the existence of a suspect in the Johan case, signaling a potential breakthrough. Carl, intrigued, invites him over for dinner, the stage set for a crucial conversation about justice and revenge.Daniel returns to the office, where Hanna expresses her regret for not stepping up to take the crucial shot herself. They share a few comforting drinks, and Daniel unburdens himself, confiding his troubles to her. Hanna offers him solace, and their hands instinctively intertwine in a tender moment. After a heartfelt exchange, Daniel gently suggests that Hanna head back home. He then drafts an apology text to his wife, sending it off with a heavy heart.
The following morning, Hanna receives startling news: Ole possesses an alibi for the night Johan met his untimely demise. Meanwhile, Anton, while departing Carl's residence, notices that Carl's dark van sports a broken taillight. Intrigued, Anton proceeds to work and confides in Hanna, disclosing his entire ordeal but pleading for discretion regarding his sexuality.
Hanna arranges for the van to be meticulously examined, and to her surprise, red fibers are discovered within. Interrogating Carl yields little fruit, as he claims numerous people had access to the vehicle. Anton, undeterred, visits Carl's restaurant and scours the CCTV footage, uncovering that Jens had borrowed Carl's van on the fateful evening of Johan's death.
Later, Hanna and Raffe arrive at Marion's place, where Jens is lending a hand in preparing for Marion and Leo's move to her mother's house. Raffe abruptly apprehends Jens, amidst protests, for questioning. Hanna stays behind to ensure the wellbeing of Marion and Leo. Amidst what appears to be a heated discussion between Leo and Marion, Hanna's eyes fall upon a photo album in the living room. Flipping through its pages, she notices that the room once adorned with two sets of red curtains now sports only one.
Daniel's call interrupts her thoughts, bringing grim news: there's a discrepancy in Marion and Leo's alibi. They claimed to have attended a concert at 7 PM, but Daniel learns from the radio that the opening act was canceled, postponing the concert's start until 9 PM. When Marion descends the stairs, Hanna confronts her about the concert, quickly realizing she's concealing the truth. At this juncture, Leo storms down, his patience worn thin.
In a fit of overwhelming emotion, Leo dashes out of the house and onto the adjacent train tracks. It is here, amidst the impending revelation, that the entire tragic narrative unfolds. A flashback reveals Johan informing Marion of his intentions to leave her for Rebecka. She, in turn, accuses him of abandoning Leo as well. Leo, eavesdropping on their heated exchange, grabs a spade in a fit of rage, striking Johan on the head. Johan collapses, lifeless. Marion, in a panic, calls Jens for assistance. Together, they wrap Johan's body in a carpet and deposit it on the tracks, where an approaching train seals his fate.In the present moment, Leo catches sight of an approaching train and, in a split-second decision, shoves his mother aside. He dashes towards the oncoming danger, only to be dramatically yanked off the tracks by Hanna at the eleventh hour. With swift action, Hanna dials the police, and soon both she and Leo are escorted away from the harrowing scene. Meanwhile, Anton and Carl are finally reunited, their bond unbreakable. Daniel and Ida, too, mend their fences, finding solace in each other once more. When Hanna attempts to reach Daniel on the phone, however, he deliberately lets it ring unanswered, determined to make a statement to Ida: He vows to prove that he will never let work take precedence over family again. Returning to her abode, Hannah steps onto her balcony, her gaze sweeping over the serene yet somber townscape, as the narrative of The Åre Murders draws to a close in Episode 5.
