‘Steeltown Murders’ Recap: ‘Episode 4’

12/20/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from Episode 104 of ‘Steeltown Murders’ Courtesy of Acorn TV.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Finale of ‘Steeltown Murders’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

It doesn’t matter how just a particular pursuit can be, or how much it matters to bring the facts to bear. Because at one point or another during our chase to uncover the truth, someone, will experience fear regarding exposing the facts… for a variety of reasons. It could be related to the reality that the truth is indeed on the horizon and that can be hard for some folks to deal with. Or it could be related to the possibility that exposing the truth means the end of the quest, and the end of the rush of doing something right. But one way or another, that fear will settle in and threaten to derail the quest, as evidenced by the series finale of Steeltown Murders on Acorn TV.

For this was it. Paul and his team had mere days to get their higher ups to agree to exhume Joe’s body to pull DNA and prove without a doubt that he was the serial killer in question, and that led… to a mad dash to make that happen. One that was far more successful that Paul initially thought. For every call he made was filled with encouragement, and even the brass above agreed this would be a worthwhile use of resources and well… that put forth a timetable for the exhuming and that required a press conference to let the public know what was to come, and some work to properly finalize the process. Specifically, getting Joe’s remaining family to sign off… and that led to the fear in question.

After all, there was worry that the DNA might not match, and the case would go back to square one in an embarrassing manner. Especially since the press got wind of the fact that here was another suspect in the mix. Not to mention, there was slight resistance from Joe’s family from top to bottom. For there was a worry it would confirm a disgusting truth about the family and put a shame over them. But pointing out that the truth would do so much for everyone, began to soften hard stances and well, eventually, they relented and agreed to making this happen and well… that led to the big day. One where Joe was indeed exhumed and more waiting came into play as the scientists did their thing, and thankfully… that wait ended with the most amazing news.

In that… Joe was indeed the killer, and peace could finally come to all. For the families of the fallen had closure decades later, and even those who harbored no guilt but were accused of darkness, such as Dai, could have that. For now, there would be no more side looks and questions about his role in all of this. Joe’s name would forever hang over the act. Not to mention, so many more could finally let go. Such as Sita. For the survivor’s remorse and guilt, she carried hung heavy in her soul, and knowing the details now and knowing that Joe was behind this, allowed for her to finally move forward and the same went for Paul. Since he was no longer an officer that had an unremarkable career guided by politics and nonsense. He was the mind that solved the toughest case his precinct had ever seen.

All of which spoke to how important it is to forge ahead and finish our quest for the truth. Because the fear means nothing and the pain that the truth can cause will fade. For the truth is pure, and the truth is cleansing, and it will do wonders for us once the dust settles and it brought forth a powerful ending to a powerful series. One that really did explore in great detail, how the times have changed for law enforcement through science and how wonderful that can be, and how archaic and troublesome the old ways used to be for them. Since they stumbled in the dark far too often and had no choice but to give up. But what matters more, is that this true story ended the right way, and the echoes of the fallen can rest at last, thanks to science and one man’s desire for closure.

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