The second chapter of "Until I Kill You," entitled "Hate," dives deeper into the harrowing depths of Delia Balmer's tumultuous relationship with the manipulative and fiercely aggressive John Sweeney. The episode kicks off with a chilling sequence where John, answering a call from Delia's worried colleague Leah, who hasn't heard from her since she missed her nursing shift, spins a web of deceit about Delia's alleged illness. Leah's skepticism is palpable, and her mention of involving the police ignites a fiery panic within John.
Delia, confined to a bed in an adjacent room, volunteers to speak with Leah to dispel her doubts. Under the ominous threat of a gun pointed at her, she masterfully pretends to be suffering from food poisoning, temporarily easing Leah's concerns. This dramatic opening sets the tone for the episode, showcasing the drastic lengths John is prepared to go to maintain his grip on Delia and hoodwink those around her.
The tension ratchets up as Delia, displaying incredible resilience, urges John to seek psychiatric help for his violent tantrums. He mulls it over, albeit conditionally—only after they dispose of the incriminating bedsheets. Practical to the core, Delia insists on selling the sheets to pay off bills, a suggestion John reluctantly concurs with. This exchange underscores the uneven power dynamics in their relationship, as Delia subtly asserts control wherever she can find a crack.
Delia's chance for escape arrives when John succumbs to sleep after forcing himself upon her. Seizing the fleeting moment, she flees on her bicycle to the sanctuary of her workplace. Leah, still harboring suspicions, urges Delia to report John to the police. It's here that Delia unburdens herself, revealing the full horror of John's past violence, including the murder of his former girlfriend, Melissa, and his dumping of her dismembered body parts in a canal in Amsterdam. Delia's refusal to step into the light of justice, fearing retribution from John, brings to light the crippling fear that often shackles victims of domestic abuse.
In search of sanctuary, Delia finds herself at "Hope & Haven," a women's refuge where Imelda Dunning kindly extends a temporary haven. However, the uneasy ambiance of Kings Cross and the haunting specter of John's discovery soon drive her back to the familiarity, albeit perilous, confines of her own flat. Alerted by the shelter, the police intervene, compelling Delia to recount the harrowing tale of John's abuse—four days of restraint and degradation that left her spirit shattered.
Despite Delia's unwavering assertions and John's unsettling drawings, the police's skepticism regarding his involvement in Melissa's murder casts a shadow of frustration and helplessness over her ordeal. Stubbornly, Delia refuses to vacate her premises and issues a firm command for the officers to depart, embodying her fierce determination to reclaim both her life and home.
Six months hence, Delia and Leah toast to her new job contract, a fleeting moment of tranquility amidst her ongoing battle. Yet, this fragile peace is shattered by John's unanticipated return to Delia's flat, plunging her into a maelstrom of panic. His twisted offer of forgiveness for betraying him to the police masks a sinister attempt at reconciliation, while his chilling contemplation of murder serves as a stark reminder of the peril that still lurks in the shadows.
The episode crescendos into a harrowing confrontation, with Delia cornered by John within the sanctity of her own home. Summoning every ounce of strength, she fights back, sinking her teeth into him and fleeing to the bathroom for refuge. The distant wail of sirens and the insistent ringing of the doorbell herald the police's arrival, but not before John makes a desperate, final bid to silence her forever. Delia's narrow escape and John's arrest offer a beacon of hope, yet the lingering scars of his brutality are etched indelibly upon her countenance as Leah discovers her, a mix of relief and trauma palpable in the air.
"Hate" stands as a masterful chapter in Delia's saga, vividly illustrating the relentless psychological and physical torment she endures under John Sweeney's cruel hand. This episode stands as a testament to the indomitable spirit of Delia Balmer, who, despite the overwhelming tide of adversity, refuses to be pigeonholed by her victimhood. It is a stark and powerful depiction of the vicious cycle of abuse and the unyielding courage required to shatter its chains.
