Episode 6 of *To Cook a Bear* opens with a harrowing scene at the police station, where the Sheriff, in a fit of rage, beats Jussi to a pulp during his interrogation. The Pastor, powerless to intervene, watches helplessly as no amount of physical punishment can coerce answers from a boy who simply has none to give. Yet, amidst this chaos, there lies a glimmer of hope—Maria, the one person who might hold the key to unraveling the truth.
The Pastor hurries to Maria's side, pleading with her for answers. When Matti, her father, arrives to keep a watchful eye on both Maria and the Pastor, his presence does little to ease the Pastor's growing concerns. But then, a small ray of hope emerges from Maria herself. Through Brita's influence and her own unwavering integrity, Maria is prepared to testify in court if necessary, declaring Jussi's innocence. However, this beacon of hope flickers precariously as news reaches the Pastor that Jussi has confessed.
What unfolds at the police station is a scene of intense emotion and revelation. The Pastor, furious and determined, storms into the station to confront Jussi, who lies there, a battered and broken figure. Michelsson, the cunning and evasive officer, struggles under the Pastor's piercing questions, his words tripping over themselves in a desperate attempt to maintain composure. It is here that the Pastor uncovers the shocking truth: Jussi was coerced into signing a false confession against his will.
Yet, amidst this darkness, Jussi's keen observations during his ordeal reveal a crucial detail. He has noticed Michelsson's left-handedness, a trait he himself has been forced to conceal by writing with his right hand—a fact subtly foreshadowed earlier with the children's play. This revelation also explains the asymmetrical bruises on Jussi's face, a silent testament to the torture he endured. With this newfound knowledge, it becomes clear that Michelsson is the true killer, and even more alarmingly, that the Sheriff is complicit in shielding him.
Before leaving, the Pastor slips a pencil into Jussi's hand. In a poignant act of defiance and self-preservation, Jussi uses it to scrawl the words "I am human" on the wall, a personal mantra to cling to in the face of overwhelming despair, a reminder not to lose faith in his own humanity.
Who does the Pastor turn to for assistance? With nowhere else to go, the Pastor casts his eyes toward the most unexpected of allies - Madam Sjödahl. He proposes a collaboration, reasoning that their shared adversary unites them in a common cause. At the station, Sjödahl seeks answers from Brahe and Michelsson, only to find their explanations lackluster and unconvincing. Nevertheless, she ensures the men are kept engaged over dinner that night, allowing the Pastor to carry out his plans uninterrupted.
Why did the Sheriff turn a blind eye to Michelsson's actions?
However, the situation takes a dark turn when Madam Sjödahl abruptly shifts her focus, accusing Michelsson outright, knowing him to be the murderer. Caught off guard, Michelsson is at a loss for words, while the rest of the gathering is equally stunned. The Sheriff then steps forward, revealing his own complicity in the matter and admitting to having concealed the truth all along.
It all began innocuously enough. Both the Pastor and the Sheriff had their own theories, each determined to prove theirs correct. When evidence emerged that the Sheriff's hypothesis was flawed, his pride refused to accept defeat. Brahe, convinced that the Pastor would have claimed every soul in the village for his own twisted purposes, rationalized the Sheriff's actions as a misguided act of mercy.
Upon hearing this, Lindmark is taken aback, realizing that Jussi has been wrongly accused and is, in fact, innocent.
Does Michelsson's wife lend a hand? Meanwhile, the Pastor arrives at Michelsson's residence to meet his wife, Aili. He masks his true intention—urging her to stand up against her abusive husband—under the pretext of needing to baptize their youngest child. Noticing the swollen and gruesome bruises marring the side of her face, he realizes that Michelsson is a violent and aggressive man. Eventually, Aili succumbs to the Pastor's pleas and leads him to a secluded wooden shack away from the house, a place she is strictly forbidden from entering. Inside, the Pastor discovers the book of hair locks that Michelsson treasures as a prize.
Back at the prison, Roope keeps a watchful eye on Jussi. Given Roope's own aggressive demeanor, it proves relatively simple for Jussi to provoke him. When Roope approaches, unlocking the cell and preparing to unleash his fury on Jussi, the young boy drives a pencil into Roope's eye, blinding him instantly. Seizing the opportunity, Jussi hurls Roope into the very cell he had just exited, locks the door, and makes a swift escape.
Has justice been served? Alas, no. Brahe is the first to arrive at the church, where he shoots the Pastor dead and seizes the hair lock book before the truth can be unveiled. Consequently, the Pastor is left with no evidence to support his claims. To make matters worse, Michelsson decides to unleash his fury on his wife once again. However, as he steps outside the house, Jussi appears with an axe and swiftly decapitates him.
Jussi then makes his way to Maria's house, where he resolves to flee with her, heading north. He informs Lasse that he has delivered justice by slaying Michelsson, yet in doing so, he has also spat in the face of the faith teachings that the Pastor had strived so hard to instill in him.
How does "To Cook a Bear" culminate? As Jussi prepares to depart with Maria, he expresses his gratitude to the Pastor for his kindness and generosity over the years. With that, he sets off, while Brahe and the others arrive at the door in search of Jussi the following morning. The Pastor chooses to remain silent, as he had done before, but this time, Jussi is not returning.
