‘Bloodlands’ Recap: ‘Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the finale of ‘Bloodlands’.

Truly, the ending is the finest segment of a mystery or a crime related story. For it is in the finale of that tale, where every ounce of truth is revealed to the reader or the audience and of course, the crime is solved, and the case is closed and both characters and enthusiasts alike, are able to walk away from the story feeling satisfied and happy. Unless of course we are talking about mysteries and crime stories that operate within the grey area. Because those types of stories can go in any direction they so choose, since they aren’t bound by the usual rules of the genre and that means the ending of this type of tale, can either satisfy, shock or outright infuriate and well… it is definitely safe to say the ending to the AcornTV series, Bloodlands, will engender one… if not all of those feelings amongst its fans.

Simply because the finale of this harrowing saga, brought this story to a close in a stunning manner. One that genuinely surprised the viewer through and through… by taking us on a wild ride filled with twists and turns and stunning revelations, such as the fact that Detective Chief Superintendent Jackie Twomey was not Goliath after all. But for a moment there, it sure seemed as though he was. Because his interrogation went poorly, thanks to Tom’s suggestions to have the interrogator press Jackie on his sorted past with Adam Corry and the Goliath investigation as a whole. Which in turn exposed the sad reality that Jackie wasn’t telling the truth about his involvement in the case, since he knew far more about it than anyone else. But alas, facts are facts, and the forensic evidence at his caravan made it clear that someone planted the evidence there, allowing for Jackie to walk. 

Oddly enough though, the importance of evidence is what brought about the stunning revelations in question. Because Tori finally had the opportunity to see Izzy’s beautiful owl necklace, the one that happened to have a ‘T’ on the back of it and that allowed for her to figure out that the same one in evidence, belonged to Tom’s wife and that led her to believe… that Detective Chief Inspector Tom Brannick, was Goliath, and she was correct in that assumption. For when she confronted him about the necklace, under the specter that Izzy might be hurt… he finally opened up and explained his involvement in this whole mess, in a manner that some might say, exonerated him in regard to being Goliath. But what came after his confession… exposed him through and through as this mysterious assassin. For an innocent man with a past that went sour, would eventually stand up to it and own it, instead, DCI Brannick put together an intricate plan to ensure he came out of this mess, smelling like a rose.

Which is why he sent Tori to where he hid the gun that he used to kill Adam Corry. Because when she arrived there, Pat Keenan was waiting for her with that gun in hand and was ready for revenge. Something he gladly indulged in. And the only reason he was there, was because Tom called him and told him where to find the weapon, and the subsequent trace on DCI Brannick’s phone, helped his co-workers to track him to his eventual rendezvous with Keenan, wherein he shot Pat as well, and hid any evidence of that call. Making it clear that he did nothing more than tie up loose ends so that going forward the police service would forever believe that Pat Keenan was in fact, Goliath, giving Tom the freedom to go about his life and spend time with his beloved daughter. And while that makes it seem as though Tom finally gets to enjoy a little peace and his happily ever after, the guilt on his face in the closing moments of this story, speaks to the fact that this final mission as Goliath, is going to haunt Tom for the rest of his life. 

If anything, this was one hell of a way to close out this magnificent series, since Tom and his actions really did keep us guessing for a better part of this tale. Because early on, it really did seem as though he was simply a broken man, full of anger over his wife’s disappearance… and he was willing to go the extra mile in order to get answers. So, to learn that he is the ‘Big G’, well that’s just jaw-dropping and infuriating for some. Since you always hope for the hero to be the better person in these types of tales and not the villain after all. But alas, in the grey area of life, sometimes the bad guys win, and sometimes good people are not what they seem and those stark and unsettling truths hang heavy over the end of one stunning story. One that truly took us on an incredible ride and also took the time to  remind us that deception can only bring about trouble, and the decision to make that a priority, will bring about nothing but heartache and strife.

‘Bloodlands’ is available to stream on AcornTV, right now.

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