As the episode begins, Steve (Matthew McNulty) watches an interview with Tom (David Tennant). Kate (Anna Madeley) speaks on the phone about Simon (Jamie Michie) who is arranging a karaoke night. Kate is told that Simon fancies her but she doesn’t want to believe it. Tom listens to her without Kate noticing him in the background. When she returns to bed that night, Tom climbs on top of her and has sex with her. Kate doesn’t seem thrilled with it. When they’ve finished, Tom asks her if she came. She says she was tried so he lashes back by saying Jess (Cush Jumbo) came when he had sex with her.

Kate isn’t happy to hear about that. The following day, Kate heads downstairs and Tom tells her about his mom being on the phone about Charlotte’s birthday. He gives her a drink of water and her medication. She takes the pills without thinking about it but she seems depressed. She goes through her day as normal before returning home. As they prepare for dinner, Kate asks Tom why he decided to choose Sacha and Jess. Carol (Maureen Beattie) arrives and joins them for dinner. Tom and Carol get into an argument about the water heater or something at home. When Carol is asked, she says she wants more food.

She intends to get it herself but Tom wants Kate to get it. He gets rude with Kate until she gets up and gets it for Carol. Next, Tom is interviewed by the investigators. He is asked if he loved his wife and he says yes. Tom is shown a video on a tablet. Tom doesn’t remember taking the video although he looks very emotional in it. He claims he didn’t realize his phone was on. His attorney Nicky (Anneika Rose) reminds him that he doesn’t have to answer these questions. Tom is asked where he trained before the conversation turns to insulin. He asks if that is the medication Kate used.

Tom claims Kate injected him in the girl’s bedroom. He didn’t put a fight because there was nothing left worth fighting for with his kids dead. He admits he always kept insulin in his bag for emergencies since he is a doctor. The conversation ends with one of the detectives goes for more coffee. Steve and the others watch Tom on a computer screen. This time, Steve and another investigator interrogate Tom. Steve shows Tom a map of the village and asks him about the forest behind his house. Then, he is shown pictures of one of the victims. Tom is confronted with the evidence that Emily ran into the woods that night but Tom says it was not possible.

Tom says Kate lost it causing Emily to get scared and run away from her. Steve wants to know if the girls were injected before or after Emily made a run for it. Steve says Tom’s kids weren’t in front of him because he was found in his bedroom. Steve accuses Tom of lying about everything while demanding the truth. Tom says no comment and that ends the interview. He is booked into the jail moments later. He calls his mother that night while Steve and the others celebrate the arrest. Tom is led to the cell while Steve drinks alone. The following day, Steve continues therapy so he can get over what he saw during the fire.

Nicky visits Tom at the jail. He wants to know which witness told the police about Emily being in the woods. Nicky explains that DCI Collins and DC Darlington took the statement. Tom is convinced the witness went to Steve first and he wants Nicky to find out. Nicky goes to the station seconds later. Steve spots Dylan (Lewis Gribben) entering the police station. Steve tries to convince the other officer not to book Dylan since it wouldn’t be worth it. Dylan reminds Steve that he owes him one but that doesn’t prevent the officer from booking him in. Tom gets another visit from Carol. He tells her that they need to gather money and he wants law books so he can defend himself.

In private, Dylan tells Steve he is thinking about changing his statement because he can’t keep lying. Steve gets rough with Dylan and says he is not going to change his statement. Darlington (Laurie Brett) watches Dylan’s statement to police and begins questioning its authenticity. Steve continues therapy. During the session, Steve says they got the father and that he was responsible for the murders. That night, Steve and Jess go out with Sandra (Lisa McGrillis) and Luke (Jack Greenlees). The kids come over for money to play games. Luke gives them money and plays with them. Back home, Steve is not happy that Jess told them about the IVF.

They argue a bit before Jess heads upstairs and Steve grabs a beer. Later, Jess asks him if he wants her to move out. She wants to know what he wants. Steve wants to know what they did together before climbing on top of Jess and nearly sexually assaulting her. He eventually stops before saying he wishes she never had sex with Tom. The following day, Tom waits for Carol to visit him but she never shows up. Carol goes to a bank and withdraws all of her money. In a flashback, Carol tells Kate that Tom shouldn’t speak to her like that and she invites her to spend the night with her. Kate doesn’t accept that offer. Ruth finds an envelope with a lot of money in it.

Tom realizes Carol is not coming before being forced out by guards. Steve begins investigating Kate’s accident. She was intoxicated at the time. Darlington wants to speak with him. He follows her and notices Dylan there. Steve is ridiculed for forcing Dylan to make a statement against Tom. They’re worried that his actions could ruin the case against Tom. He turns in his badge and suspended. Steve tells Darlington that he just wants to it over and she curses men. Steve freaks out in the bathroom before tracking down Dylan and beating him in the face a few times.

He gets drunk and heads into the forest alone. Meanwhile, Tom prepares to be released from the jail. In a flashback, Steve remembers Kate telling him that Tom is giving her those pills. She is worried that he is going to kill her but Steve refuses to believe it. Carol is shocked when Tom shows up at her door.

 

Deadwater Fell Review

At times, Deadwater Fell is good. However, it has too many flaws and those flaws overshadow the show’s good aspects. I haven’t noticed any horrible acting. I am convinced the story could be good but the execution has been very poor. I am getting tired of the long scenes staring at a character’s face with no action or dialogue. There are far too many of those meaningless scenes.

I have to say that none of the characters are particularly likable or interesting. If I had to choose a character I can tolerate, I’d probably pick Dylan. That isn’t right considering he is more of a side character. I am interested in finding out what happened. Again though, I am not sure the writers will be able to pull off a satisfying ending. The episode scores a 6.5 out of 10. Previous recaps of Deadwater Fell can be found on Reel Mockery.