Episode 3 of "The Survivors" kicks off with a nostalgic flashback depicting Kieran, his parents, Ash, and Toby aboard a serene boat, their laughter resonating with the gentle waves. In the contemporary narrative, Kieran and Verity engage in a task of painting over the offensive graffiti "PERV" on the shed, Verity's keen eye catching the broken door that marred its otherwise unassuming facade.
Later, with determination etched on their faces, Kieran and Verity escort Brian to the police station for interrogation. Brian's recollections flicker like a faulty lightbulb, landing on a mysterious beacon on the beach before plunging into darkness.
Elsewhere, heeding Trish's advice, Mia ventures to George's property to unravel the complexities surrounding Bronte and Gabby. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Ash's stormy arrival, claiming ownership over a set of pots. Despite George's reminder that the pots now belong to him following the property purchase, Ash's fury bubbles over, almost sparking a confrontation. His accusations ring loud and clear: George has stolen their home.
At the police station, Pendlebury delves into the mystery of Gaby Birch's disappearance, sparked by Brian's mention during his interview. The arrival of Bronte's parents adds a layer of sorrow to the proceedings. They reveal Marco's past romance with Bronte, now terminated, before proceeding to gather her belongings from the cottage.
Olivia, poised to replace the receiver, is interrupted and finds herself driving to Ash's house to deliver the phone. Over a beer with Sean, Olivia probes into Ash's whereabouts on the fateful day of Bronte's demise. Sean asserts their alibi, but Olivia's instincts whisper deceit.
Meanwhile, Geoff, the sergeant who previously handled Gabby's case, pays Brian a visit. Amidst lighthearted conversation about Kieran's potential participation in the anniversary football match, Verity confidently volunteers to manage the townsfolk's reservations towards Kieran's presence. Their outing for ice cream transforms into a poignant moment as Brian reminisces about encountering Gabby on her way to the beach, her inquiries about Kieran lingering in the air.
Unbeknownst to Kieran, Verity orchestrates a gathering with Liam and Sean, culminating in a snorkeling expedition—a solemn tribute to Toby and Finn. Verity's omission of this detail leaves Kieran feeling like an outsider, yet he chooses to remain, his discomfort a silent testament to his enduring resilience.
Sean, Liam, and Verity find themselves continuously lost in recollections of Finn and Toby, prompting Kieran to be engulfed by vivid flashbacks to the tragic day fifteen years prior. At the hospital, his mother's harsh reprimands echoed, branding him as foolish for venturing to the beach amidst high tides and laying the blame for Finn and Toby's demise squarely on his shoulders. Struggling to catch his breath, Kieran desperately swam back towards the boat, only to be met by the concerned faces of Sean, Verity, and Liam who followed to ensure his wellbeing. Noticing a sinister smirk playing on Liam's lips, Kieran's anger surged, suspecting foul play with his oxygen supply. His mother's further scolding ignited a fiery response from Kieran, who declared that she was the true source of his turmoil.
The townsfolk gathered at the town hall, eagerly awaiting updates from Pendlebury, who pleaded for their assistance in locating Bronte's missing phone, camera, and laptop—items deemed crucial to the unfolding investigation. Adrian's mother took the podium,誓要倾尽所有财力，誓要揪出杀害Bronte的真凶。 Meanwhile, Brian was gripped by haunting visions of a drowning maiden, his mind wandering into delirium, prompting Kieran and Verity to escort him back home.
Elsewhere, the police maintained surveillance on Marco, who had already secured a ticket out of town. They kept him under close watch, awaiting the return of DNA results. During the briefing, Pendlebury received the awaited results. Police officers watched Marco depart shortly after receiving a phone call.
On the front porch, Kieran and Mia shared a beer after escorting Brian home, both expressing their discontent with returning to their hometown. The harrowing experience on the boat sealed their decision to leave once more.
As the episode drew to a close, police descended upon Kieran's home for a search, the DNA evidence tying Brian to the crime. Inside the shed, they discovered Bronte's camera, leading to Brian's arrest for murder.
