Episode 3 of Season 1 of "Untamed" kicks off with a poignant flashback, depicting a youthful Lucy engrossed in painting rocks alongside her ailing mother. In a tender moment, her mom endeavors to elucidate the intricate notion of death to her young daughter. Opting to conclude her artistic endeavor, Lucy stays behind as her mother retreats to the sanctuary of their home. Moments later, an acquainted figure steps into Lucy's world.
We are then thrust back to the present, where it transpires that Lucy was declared missing in 2010, a mere seven years old. This harrowing case belonged to Kyle, who harbored a conviction that Rory, Lucy's father, was responsible for her disappearance. Regrettably, Kyle's suspicions remained unsubstantiated. Years later, Rory relocated to Fresno, only to meet a violent demise. Presently, the sole thread they cling to is James Cook, Lucy's stepsibling.
Kyle seeks Teddy's phone records, his thoughts consumed by the case. As he exits the office, he discovers Jill waiting in his car. She hands him a list of park employees etched in her memory, while he informs her of the identification of Jane Doe. Their conversation pivots to Jill's lingering heartache, her soul still scarred by the loss of her son. She reminisces fondly yet painfully about mundane routines shared with Caleb.
Kyle mentions Sean's lawyer's visit, prompting Jill to inquire about new leads. However, the reality is bleak—no new avenues have emerged. The lab analysis of the pills discovered with Lucy reveals a cocktail of drugs. Kyle urges Lucy to liaise with the Mariposa Police Department for further insights.
En route to James' residence, Naya attempts to steer the conversation towards Caleb, but Kyle drowns her words with the volume of the radio. Upon arriving, Kyle instructs Naya to await his return outside. He ventures in, but James, spotting him, bolts. Fortunately, Naya's swift reflexes save Kyle from James' menacing advance with a metal rod, mistakenly believing them to be loan sharks.
They escort James back to their apartment, only to realize that he harbors no knowledge about Lucy. Startlingly, he was unaware of her very existence.
With no tangible leads to pursue, Nay and Kyle strive to remain constructive in their efforts. During their journey back, Kyle broaches the subject of Naya's departure from L.A., revealing, as anticipated, that it was tied to her tumultuous past with her ex. He also unburdens himself to Naya about his upbringing on a ranch, fostering a deeper bond between them through their shared stories.
Upon their return to the office, they encounter Lawrence addressing the media about Teddy. Kyle's demeanor shifts abruptly, and he brushes aside Naya's plea to revisit the Squatters' village. Following the press briefing, Lawrence scorches Kyle for his penchant for withholding information. Declaring his intent to have Kyle reassigned, Lawrence has already initiated the process, with Souter concurring that he has been remarkably patient with Kyle thus far.
Drawing Souter aside, Kyleconfides that he suspects a link between the cases and believes Lucy's death was a homicide. Souter ponders the possibility of a serial killer at play, but Kyle discounts this theory. Haunted by the specter of whether he had let Lucy down fifteen years ago, Kyle's ride home is marred by recurring hallucinations of Caleb.
That night, seeking solace, Kyle visits Lana at the hotel and confides in her his suicidal thoughts. She, in turn, offers her unwavering support. The next day, Kyle joins Chief and makes a detour to Lucy's former abode. Though the current occupant initially denies having seen Lucy, he later reveals to Chief sighting a young woman near a ridge close by. He also hands over Maggie's old belongings, left behind by her family.
Chief inquires into Kyle's unwavering dedication to the case, to which Kyle remains evasive, steering the conversation towards the carvings. The chief explains that these symbols are meant to fend off malevolent spirits.
Meanwhile, Jill's patience wears thin as Esther drops by to inquire about Sean's case, unwittingly stirring up Jill's raw emotions concerning her son's tragic demise.
Elsewhere, Naya, borrowing Kyle's horse, ventures into the forest. Shane, on his routine jog, catches sight of her delving deeper into the woods, following in Lucy's footsteps. Stumbling upon a cave, she discovers an oxygen mask and decides to delve further into the mystery. However, fate deals her a harsh blow as she plummets into an abandoned well.
Upon returning to town, Kyle secures Teddy's phone data and confronts Linson, only to hit a wall as Linson steadfastly guards his privacy and refuses to budge. Arriving back at his place, Kyle's heart sinks as he realizes his horse is nowhere to be found.
Meanwhile, deep within the cave, Naya desperately tries to navigate her way out but finds herself in a perilous predicament, on the verge of drowning. Fortunately, Kyle arrives just in time to spot her. He calmly talks her down, urging her to gather her composure and pull herself to safety. Thanks to Kyle's quick thinking and reassuring presence, Naya manages to escape the cave and reunite with her son.
Elsewhere, Jill finds herself locked in the bathroom, torn between calling Kyle and staying silent. The scene shifts to a flashback, where a younger Lucy, seeking refuge from her stepfather, locks herself in her room. Suddenly, an unexpected visitor slides through the window, and Lucy greets him warmly, unaware of the impending drama.
