‘The Tower 2: Death Message’ Recap – ‘Episode 4’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Gemma Whelan as DS Sarah Collins in the Season Finale of ‘The Tower 2: Death Message’. (Photo Courtesy of BritBox).

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘The Tower’. To revisit the previous episode, click here. This article also contains discussions regarding domestic abuse and sexual assault, which may be triggering to some individuals.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about how The Tower 2: Death Message, on BritBox, has done a phenomenal job of presenting the audience… with the realities that accompany fighting crime. In that, it isn’t a quick and slick process where the clues easily unfold and lead to the criminal in question akin to a line of breadcrumbs. It takes work, and time and even then… justice can be elusive. For criminals are in fact, elusive, and do the most to avoid being caught and that leads to them being on the street far longer than expected, and of course… officers of the law face setbacks and roadblocks in their quest to put evil behind bars. All of which makes it appear as though, finding justice in this modern world is damn near impossible.
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But thankfully, the season two finale of this series took the time to remind us that all that work and all those struggles eventually pay off and justice can and will be served, but even then… it will take a little bit of effort to make it happen thanks to how badly, bad people, want to avoid accountability. For instance, the apprehension of Mark was almost a disaster since Adama almost went inside her house without knowing that Mark was waiting there for her. But thanks to Steve and Collins, she was warned and able to defend herself. Which brought her precious seconds and minutes that she desperately needed to survive. Because he did inflict some ugly knife wounds on Adama, the kind that put her in the hospital. But Collins arrived at just the right time to stop him and ended his reign of terror, giving rise to safety for his little girl and providing Georgina with the justice she deserved. 

Speaking of Collins, her case also came to a close in this tale, the long way round as well. Because with the discovery of Tania’s body, a full court press went upon Adrian Stephenson. Since everything pointed to him being the culprit of her end. But alas, he declared his innocence and offered up every single alibi and that forced Collins to race against the clock before he was released, to find the hard evidence she needed to put him away. Which at first, led to what appeared to be… a different culprit, Adrian’s ex-wife. For she confessed to being a broken and jealous wife of a man that floated from sexual affair to sexual affair, with his students, and that her jealousy motivated Tania’s murder, and for a time, that appeared to wrap this up neatly. But a suggestion from Steve to look closer, revealed a sorrowful truth about that wife, and so much more.

In that, she too was part of Stephenson’s collection of teenage trophies and in reality… she wasn’t responsible for Tania’s death, she hurt Tania, yes, but she didn’t kill her. She instead just helped to build Stephenson’s alibi, when in reality, he committed that murder and used his power over his ‘love’ to maintain his freedom. But an honest confession from her, and one from Tania’s best friend, another of his many victims… allowed for Stephenson to finally face the music and bring justice to the fallen. Plus, Tania’s mother was finally able to see her daughter again, albeit in an awful state, but that was the closure she needed. It was also, the closure the department needed, and it also led to growth for Collins. Since she was now… an accomplished detective and a hero and earned her spot in the ranks. 

Not to mention, this season of storytelling led to growth for others. For Adama came to learn in her time in the hospital, what kind of officer she wanted to be… regardless of the risk that could bring and Steve… he finally came to understand what the badge and duty meant and opted to step into the role that Shaw wanted him to. Allowing for some measure of redemption to take place here for the core trio. Oddly though, the only person who didn’t grow… was Shaw. Since he just kept on doing what he does in this tale, but that’s okay… his wife seems ready to wake him up in a later season of this series. Of which we hopefully hear good news about soon. For this season was a powerful ride, one that spoke to some tough topics and offered up some powerful lessons about crimefighting in our world, and the first season had plenty to say as well. Which means the world needs more of this gritty and honest and relevant show, so that we can continue to learn the fine lessons it sends our way.

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