As the climactic scene of "Unforgotten" unfolds, Marty (played by Maximilian Fairley) is seen ascending the stairs, a hammer clutched in his hand, only to be confronted by Jess James (Sinead Keenan) and Fran Lingley (Carolina Main), who stand firm in his path. After Marty is subdued and removed from the scene, Juliet Cooper (Victoria Hamilton) addresses Jess, pleading for her to cease her relentless harassment of their family. Convinced of Marty's guilt in Gerard's murder, Juliet's plea falls on deaf ears.
Fran breaks the tense silence by informing Marty that, contrary to his beliefs, his mother is still alive, albeit gravely ill. Meanwhile, Sunny (Sanjeev Bhaskar) directs his attention to Melinda Ricci (MyAnna Buring), inquiring about a jacket that now bears witness to a grim tale. Upon Melinda's confirmation of ownership, Sunny confronts her with the disturbing discovery of Gerard's bloodstains. Melinda reluctantly confesses that Gerard had assaulted her, prompting her to retaliate within the confines of her apartment on the fateful night of February 12th, which also happened to be her birthday.
Recounting the night they parted ways, Melinda reveals that Gerard's visit was a pretext for demanding a loan of £30,000, leveraging her recent job offer from BNC. When she refused, he threatened to expose her violations of lockdown regulations, her affair with a married man, and her abortion. Calling him evil, the confrontation soon turned violent. Melinda returned with a male friend to find Gerard already gone. Despite agreeing to meet him on February 24th to give him £5,000 in exchange for his silence, he never showed up.
Sunny brings up Melinda's television comments advocating for a pro-life stance, prompting her to explain the complexity of her actions. The termination had occurred in July, with Cooper aware of the decision. On that pivotal February night, Gerard had called, intending to present her with something but instead issuing ultimatums. Fearing the repercussions of his threats, Melinda had confided in Juliet about a year prior to Gerard's disappearance, albeit their conversations were confined to the digital realm.
Through this narrative, the intricacies of the characters' lives and their entangled pasts come vividly to life, painting a picture of betrayal, resilience, and the delicate balance between truth and deception.Murray Boulting, portrayed by Jordan Logan, engages in a heartfelt conversation with Nahal Dowari, brought to life by Hayat Kamille. At the airport, Sunny dials Jess's number, relaying the solemn news that Melinda isn't returning of her own volition. Nahal confides in Murray, painting a picture of a property marred by uninhabitable conditions. She recounts how Asif came to their rescue, facing off against Gerard, who merely slap-dashed paint over persistent dampness. Tragically, her son contracted a lung infection, leading to a hospital stay, and subsequently, Jamal's life was sorrowfully extinguished. Nahal affirms that their bond with Asif grew strong, transforming him into a cherished friend.
Fran and Murray confer with Jess, sharing the fresh insights they've gathered. Fran reveals they've cracked the triangulation puzzle – Cooper was traced to Brighton on the 22nd, Bow dominated his whereabouts on the 23rd, and at 13:37 on the 24th, a call from Gerard to cancel a 4 PM meeting with the brewery woman originated from Ilford, where Marty was also located. Intriguingly, despite their professional relationship, she found his endearment "babe" inappropriate. Fran ponders over the timing of these events, sensing a disparity.
Shortly thereafter, Kate Robbins, as Kate, reaches out to Jess, informing her that Steve, portrayed by Andrew Lancel, had come by to collect his belongings. Kate expresses concern as Steve articulated bleak sentiments, struggling to envision a future. Steve has secured a rental just around the corner. Upon Sunny's return, both he and Jess agree to promptly interview Asif. Their questions zero in on Jamal Dowari, with Sunny persistently probing this matter. Jess cautions Asif that silence on his part could compel them to seek legal authority to press charges for the car park assault. Assuring him that Barnstable Police won't pursue immigration charges due to Sam's full accountability, Sunny clarifies.
Asif admits to visiting Cooper at his pub shortly after Jamal's illness, an establishment hosting an event for the homeless. He acknowledges witnessing Cooper's capacity for empathy but laments how that empathy waned, transforming into a perception of the homeless as vermin hordes. Moreover, Asif confirms he visited Cooper on the day Jamal was admitted to the hospital, painting a vivid tapestry of their complex interactions.He harbored the belief that presenting Jamal's image, hooked up to an IV drip, would spark a transformation in him, yet to no avail. Asif recounted how Cooper attempted to assault him, only to be swiftly overpowered by Asif's two decisive punches, revealing Cooper's physical decline. Asif firmly maintained that was the extent of it and affirmed that Cooper was still alive when he departed the scene.
Meanwhile, Susan (Morag Cross) embarked on a meticulous search through the storage area, her eyes eventually lighting upon a 2021 calendar notebook. Elsewhere, Sunny and Jess grilled Marty about his presence in Juliet Cooper's abode, to which he responded by claiming he merely wished to offer his condolences to Taylor. Marty conceded he had harbored malicious intentions towards Cooper in the past but steadfastly denied any involvement in his murder. Sunny's inquiry delved into Marty's whereabouts during Gerard Cooper's stay in Ilford, to which Marty vehemently insisted he had never crossed paths with Gerard there, furnishing them with a meticulous account of his movements on that fateful day. As the interrogation drew to a close, Sunny harbored suspicions that Marty's figure might be captured on the airport's CCTV footage.
Fran imparted to Jess that the cyclist's daughter had handed in his diary, which recorded witnessing the disposal at 3:30 on the 24th, prompting Sunny to point out the impossibility of Gerard making the phone call. Karen (Pippa Nixon) then unveiled the license plates of the suspects and flashed a picture of the murder vehicle, speculating that the plates had been tampered with using a marker or tape. Further investigation revealed that the car belonged to Juliet Cooper, who was subsequently escorted away by the police.
Upon exiting the police station, Asif hastily dialed Hassan (Ahmad Sakhi), who revealed his detention center confinement, evoking Asif's desire to visit him. Karen updated Jess on Marty's mother regaining consciousness and confessing to a nurse that she had self-administered the pills in her drink, feeling like a burden and believing Marty would receive better care without her. Jess pondered releasing Marty without further action, aside from the burglary incident.
Leanne Balcombe (Georgia Mackenzie) confided in Sunny, revealing her long-held affection for him, despite his previous unavailability. She admitted to running away whenever he called and confessed to a past, three-year-long, unhappy relationship with another man two decades ago.One fateful day, she ventured out and vanished without a trace, acknowledging her departure had also forsaken her daughter, whom she hadn't laid eyes on since. She instructed Sunny to reach out if the urge arose, then resumed her duties without a backward glance. Subsequently, Jess and Sunny interrogated Juliet, accusing her of fabricating the voicemail amid her journey to Ilford. Juliet, undeterred, asserted that no jury would ever find her guilty based on such fragile accusations. Relenting somewhat, she agreed to recount the sequence of events.
Juliet confessed that her marriage had been shattered for years, yet they lingered together sans separation, unburdened by Taylor or monetary constraints. On the evening of the 22nd, as Juliet cooked, Gerard stumbled home intoxicated, announcing his imminent absence on the 24th—their wedding anniversary. Her sarcastic reminder ignited a fiery altercation, where Juliet bested him with words as usual, until Gerard resorted to physical aggression, punching her at the back of the head. The blow triggered a snap reaction; Juliet retaliated by jabbing the top of his leg with a paring knife she still held.
Darting to the downstairs restroom, Juliet locked herself in, ears pricked to Gerard's groans of severe bleeding. His voice faded into silence, and upon emerging, she discovered him collapsed in a pool of blood on the kitchen tiles. Meanwhile, Marty conversed with Dot at the hospital, where Doreen (Lisa Davina Phillip) offered assistance for Dot's recuperation at home. Juliet, steadfast in her resolve to safeguard her daughter, emphasized her inability to abandon her.
She meticulously described how, after sending Taylor to school and gathering necessary items, she dragged Gerard's lifeless body into the kitchen, dismembering it into six pieces. She re-staged the scene in his office before collecting Taylor from her playdate. With meticulous precision, Juliet packed his remains into a sports bag and stashed it in the car trunk. Taylor was administered a herbal sleeping pill, and once the pub closed, Juliet altered the license plate, embarking on a midnight journey at 2:30 AM to the marshlands.
Outside the interview room, Jess pointed out discrepancies in Juliet's timeline, presenting evidence to Sunny and questioning the motive behind lying about the timing after confessing to murder. They resolved to consult Taylor, who admitted witnessing Gerard strike Juliet. She recounted the final confrontation, emphasizing that her mother's actions were purely defensive. Taylor had been upstairs doing homework around eight when Gerard's shouts and Juliet's responses echoed downstairs. Rushing to intervene, she found her The mother struggled to get up from the ground, while Gerard repeatedly stomped on her ribs with his boot heel. Unbeknownst to them, Taylor seized a knife from the kitchen table and plunged it into his leg.
Sunny advocated for cautioning Taylor, but Jess assured him it wasn't necessary. Taylor narrated how Gerry's shocked outcry resonated through the room. Upon seeing her, his expression shifted to sorrow. Juliet ushered her upstairs while her father's demeanor remained desolate. After a soothing bath, Juliet cradled her to sleep. The following morning, Juliet told Taylor that Gerry had left a crunchie for her and had departed early for a work meeting, painting a picture of normalcy amidst the turmoil.
After school, Taylor eagerly anticipated her play date, unaware of the impending storm. Juliet had discreetly informed her that her father was engrossed in a crucial work call in his office, stressing the importance of not disturbing him. The following day, however, brought heart-wrenching news—he was missing.
In the confines of the car, Jess whispered solemnly to Sunny that Taylor remained oblivious to the gravity of the situation. Her eyes reflected a whirl of concern and uncertainty as she pondered their next course of action. Sunny, ever pragmatic, outlined their options: they could either turn a blind eye and allow Juliet to bear the brunt of the consequences, or they could inform Child Protective Services (CPS), trusting their discretion in determining whether prosecution served the public interest. Jess's heart ached at the thought of Taylor grappling with the notion that she, in some twisted way, had contributed to her father's fate. Sunny, however, believed this was a decision best left to Juliet.
Their conversation with Juliet, now confined to a cell, was tense. Jess assured her, gently but firmly, that they doubted CPS would pursue charges against Taylor. Juliet's eyes searched theirs, seeking guidance. Melinda, a voice of reason amidst the chaos, announced her decision to step away from the tumultuous drama, posing a poignant question to the audience—whether they too, sometimes, yearned to hear the opposing viewpoint in such debates. The atmosphere of anger and division, she emphasized, accomplished nothing constructive.
Juliet was granted a heart-wrenching visit with Taylor, who innocently inquired about the unfolding events. Elsewhere, Sam engaged in a poignant discussion with Asif, acknowledging the repercussions of sacrificing himself to shield others. Sam's guilt was palpable as he presented Asif with a ring, a symbol of his heartfelt request for marriage.
Jess confided in Sunny, reiterating their belief that pressing charges against Taylor or Juliet would not align with the public's best interests. Sunny, sensing the need for closure, suggested they inform the others. Meanwhile, Dr. Clacy (Paul McQuaid) engaged in a thoughtful conversation with Melinda at the hospital, welcoming her return with warmth. Jess's attention was momentarily diverted by the sight of Steve, indulging in a drink with a red-haired woman (Irina Sirbu), their animated gestures speaking volumes of untold stories.
Sunny, seeking clarity, decided to reach out to Leanne, leaving a heartfelt message expressing gratitude and hinting at the desire for a deeper conversation. Juliet, eventually released, exited with Taylor, the future a tapestry of uncertainty yet to be woven.
