Episode 8 of The Serpent commences on the sultry day of June 28th, 1976, in the bustling landscapes of India. Charles, still on the lam with Marie, embarked on their familiar escapades, albeit with a new twist. Ajay's absence forced them to dive deeper into the murky waters of mingling with the locals, a task Marie reluctantly embraced.
Marie's heart wasn't in it, her doubts and apprehensions clouding her resolve. Meanwhile, Herman led the charge as a similar crime unfolded in India's chaotic streets. A man lay dead, a victim of Charles's newfound gang. As days passed and the police closed in on Marie and Charles, Marie's composure began to fray. She couldn't trust anyone, resorting to calling her mother and professing her innocence, painting Charles as the culprit.
In a fleeting moment of weakness, Marie's new associate, Mr. John, saw an opportunity and made a swift exit with her bag, containing their passports. When Marie relayed this news to Charles, his anger boiled over. He demanded the ring, intending to pawn it for cash, and their altercation escalated into a physical brawl. Charles's fists rained down on Marie, forcing her into submission.
A week later, Mr. John found himself in the tranquil haven of Goa, India. A call from the police officer, Tuli, soon interrupted his leisure. Under the officer's interrogation, John confessed to the death that occurred under Charles's watch. With international arrest warrants issued, Tuli uncovered a crucial lead through John's cooperation. He agreed to share his knowledge in exchange for a chance to return home.
The police, led by Tuli, descended on Charles's apartment, rounding up everyone present. Marie willingly accompanied Tuli, ready to reveal all she knew. Herman was eventually sidelined from the investigation, with the case handed over to the Ambassador and higher authorities. However, he cunningly made a copy of the evidence and kept it hidden in his home for future reference.
Knippenberg remained steadfast in pursuing justice for this case, determined to see it through to the bitter end. However, Angela chose a different path, deciding to visit her parents in Germany. She couldn't bear Herman's obsession with the case anymore and bluntly told him that he was too busy for her.
As she departed, Paul and Herman indulged in excessive alcohol, lambasting Charles for his relentless crimes against innocent souls across the globe. Come morning, a groggy Herman received a call confirming that Charles had been apprehended, finally brought to justice after poisoning 30 people at Interpol. Despite his triumph, Herman was still ostracized by the embassy staff, particularly due to his impetuous revelation to the press.
A year later, we witnessed Charles languishing in prison, surrounded by mounting evidence against him. Yet, he sought a meeting with Knippenberg, his fateful rendezvous looming in Thailand after serving time in India. Meanwhile, Marie had found solace in religion.
Seven years flew by, and Marie collapsed in her cell, gripping her side in agony. She found herself wheelchair-bound, sharing a cell with Charles. With a tearful farewell, she assured him they would never meet again, as cancer in her womb sent her home to die.
Flashing forward to 1997, Charles faced the camera for his first interview. Sadly, contemporary laws allowed him to evade prosecution in Thailand, setting him free. This echoed the events of episode 1, but this time, Herman watched helplessly, realizing Charles had walked free.
After a brief interlude, we leaped forward six years to Kathmandu. A plane landed, carrying Charles, who was swiftly detained. The Bangkok Post broke the news, sparking a conversation between Angela and Herman, now remarried but still maintaining contact. She urged him to check the news, reminding him of the Herman case. Prompted by this, Herman frantically phoned Nepal, pleading with authorities to keep Charles incarcerated.
In a desperate bid to ensure Charles' custody, he faxed incriminating evidence, bolstered by Marie's witness testimony. This was enough to press charges against Charles, keeping him behind bars. Herman and the others exhaled a sigh of relief, finally seeing this monster contained.
