The narrative of Toxic Town's Episode 4 unfolds in 2009, where Des and his diligent team step forward to present their compelling evidence before the council, hoping to broker a settlement that would bring justice. However, Roy, stubborn and unconvinced, brushes aside their assertions and flatly refuses to negotiate a resolution. Confronted with this impasse, Des, with a heavy heart, conveys to Tracey the heart-wrenching decision that her daughter cannot be included in their legal battle. Tracey, shattered by the news, retreats into a shell of solitude, refusing all forms of communication.
On their journey to the courthouse, Des fails to confide in Susan about Tracey's exclusion, leaving a gap in their camaraderie. Inside the courtroom, the defense mounts a formidable challenge, presenting an alternative mathematical model that contends the toxic dust could not have traversed far enough to endanger the women's health. Des now stands at a precipice, tasked with dismantling their calculations to keep the case from collapsing.
Returning from the hearing, Des finally unburdens himself to Susan about Tracey's exclusion. Susan, moved by compassion, attempts to reach out to Tracey but finds her door shut tight.
Elsewhere, Derek attempts to cheer Maggie up by taking her to a lavish party hosted at Pat's newly constructed mansion. However, the mood sours as Maggie declines to attend, blaming Pat for the hardships their son has endured. A deeper truth emerges: Maggie has always dissuaded Derek from testifying against Pat, fearing it might jeopardize his livelihood.
Pat, seeking to avoid further controversy, urges Roy to reconcile with the mothers. Yet, Roy, blinded by his pride in the Corby empire he has "built," remains steadfast in his refusal.
As the trial progresses, the defense launches a relentless onslaught, aiming to undermine the credibility of Des's team. In a pivotal moment, Des seeks out Sam, pleading with him to persuade Ted to testify, believing his testimony could be the linchpin in their fight for justice.
Des subsequently makes his way to Susan, imploring her to wield her influence over Tracey and convince her to bear witness to the pervasive dust cloud that shrouded the town during the fateful events. Despite her initial reservations, Susan manages to persuade Tracey, reassuring her that she remains the "lynchpin of the entire case."
In the courtroom, Tracey courageously recounts her observations of the toxic dust, the uncovered trucks, and the contaminated pavements. Susan stands by her side, bolstering her testimony, but the defense seeks to undermine her credibility by highlighting her past battles with depression, alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Elsewhere, Sam embarks on a mission to locate Ted, who has retreated into a shell of solitude, rarely venturing beyond the confines of his home. Sam earnestly pleads with him to testify, but Ted, having suffered immeasurable losses, is hesitant to rekindle his ties to the turmoil.
Concurrently, Des' team uncovers a critical inaccuracy in the defense's calculations—a vital digit that has inexplicably gone missing. However, they require a seminal study paper from Germany on coal to substantiate their discovery. Their search for this elusive document becomes a formidable challenge.
Simultaneously, Connor comes to the realization that Peter's true intentions lie in securing the compensation money. He confides in his mother, Susan, who is shattered upon hearing this revelation. In a fit of rage, she permanently banishes Peter from their home.
During the subsequent court hearing, Maggie provides testimony about the undue pressure her husband faced to transport toxic waste swiftly as part of his job responsibilities. In parallel, Des' paralegal manages to uncover the elusive German study, paving the way for their expert to dismantle the defense's stance on dust dispersion. As a decisive action, they serve a court summons to Ted.
When questioned under oath, Ted attests to the council's mismanagement of hazardous waste and their blatant negligence. Ultimately, the court delivers a verdict favoring the mothers, acknowledging the persuasive testimonies and compelling evidence presented by Des' team. They rejoice over their well-deserved victory at a local bar. As everyone gathers in celebration, Susan visits Tracey, who has been tending to her daughter's grave. As they stand united, they finally utter in unison: "We have reached the end of our journey."
The outcome of the case forces the council to settle for a staggering £14.6 million. This landmark ruling establishes an unprecedented link between airborne toxins and harm to unborn children worldwide. A study conducted in 2021 uncovers numerous hazardous sites scattered throughout the UK, many of which are situated beneath homes, shops, restaurants, and even schools.
Regrettably, no individual faces criminal charges for the events that transpired in Corby. It's worth noting that the council leadership figures, Pat Miller and Bill Martin, are fictional creations, whereas Roy Thomas is inspired by multiple real-life individuals—none of whom lived to witness the realization of their visions for Corby.
