In the final installment, the owl theory was unveiled as a potential perfect fit for the crime, capturing the attention and validation of experts worldwide. However, Episode 7 of The Staircase introduces a fresh theory, shrouded in mystery. We witness the gruesome murder of Dennis Rowe, executed by his acquaintance and former lover, Lacour. Both men held a secret relationship with Michael, their bedfellow. Rowe's death, though caused by blunt force trauma, lacked the telltale fractures. Suddenly, Kathleen Peterson's demise, once deemed anomalous, appears less singular. Sophie embarks on a quest to unravel this alternate narrative, speculating that an intruder, akin to Lacour, might have slain Kathleen.
Meanwhile, the Innocence Project, a non-profit organization, delves into the questionable partnership between the District Attorney's office and the SBI (State Bureau of Investigation). Their probe reveals that the DA would influence the analysts' performance reviews at the SBI, ensuring favorable outcomes and reports used as evidence. Tragically, this collusion led to the execution of three innocent men, as disclosed by an employee of the Innocence Project to Freda, now employed in a laundry.
Desperate for answers, Martha confesses to Margaret her intention to travel to Germany, revisiting her old house. Despite Margaret's disapproval, Martha perseveres. She uncovers the harsh truth that Mike and Patty intended to abandon her due to her erratic behavior. A flashback takes us five days before Kathleen's demise, where she buys deer statues and learns of Mike's book deal. In another scene, Mike flirts with waiters at Nortel's Christmas party, but crucially, Kathleen observes the physical contact. The series suggests that she was aware of Mike's bisexuality, yet the creators leave this revelation hanging, mirroring real-life ambiguity.
Evelyn Avins, representing the Innocence Project, goes public with her revelations, confirming that the SBI withheld evidence from the courts to favor the DA. This symbiotic relationship is now undisputable, and an innocent man, Greg Taylor, is freed from a wrongful conviction for his wife's death. Amidst this drama, a glimpse of the tumultuous aftermath of the 2001 dot-com bubble crash reveals that Nortel's stock suffered a staggering loss, almost halving its value overnight. Kathleen, with significant stock options, lost everything she owned.
The Petersons are now officially in debt, sparking a heated confrontation between Michael and Kathleen. She unleashes a barrage of accusations, echoing the DA's trial assertions and echoing the sentiments of those who reasonably believe Mike to be the killer. The episode concludes, mere days before the 2011 retrial hearing, bringing the family together once again, poised on the precipice of an uncertain future.
