As the second episode of Deceit begins, we see Lizzie (Niamh Algar) rehearsing in front of the mirror. She says she wants him to know what she has done before putting her necklace in an envelope. Colin Stagg (Sion Daniel Young) calls moments later and Lizzie says she is glad he called. Seconds later, we jump back in time seven months. Detective Inspector Keith Pedder (Harry Treadaway) drives in his vehicle and we see a news report about the murder of Rachel. Keith arrives at Colin’s home and goes inside. The news report goes on about the detectives’ primary suspect while his property is searched. Keith finds Colin trying to keep his dog calm. He enters another room and finds a pentagram on the ground. Then, he discovers a bunch of knives in a drawer and that gives him justification to take Colin down to the station for an interview.

He is promptly interviewed by Pedder and DC Martin Long (Charlie Carter). Colin and his solicitor learn he is being charged with murder. He begins talking about having a headache that day even though he hasn’t had a headache since he was a teenager. We jump ahead seven months and Sadie carefully watches the video of Colin’s police interview. Colin tells them about being stopped on the common and the fact he was wearing cutdown jeans. When he is asked about the shoes he was wearing, Colin admits he threw them away two days ago. He is pressed about the shoes, so he says he threw them in the rubbish because the heel came off. Sadie begins researching serial killers and learns how many of them have mommy issues. Next, Colin talks about his current apartment and living there since 1968 or 1969.

He tells them he was living with his parents and siblings until they divorced, and his father passed away. He explains the common is important to him because of his father. He often goes there with his dog. When he is asked about his mother, we see glimpses of his childhood and his parents fighting downstairs. Colin admits he always felt sorry for his father because his mom was always out with other men. She got hooked up with her new and current lover when she was still with his dad. Sadie visits Paul Britton (Eddie Marsan) to say Colin fits the profile he created. He also had an inappropriate interest in the crime since he went around telling people a girl had been killed. Sadie says he was a disorganized killer, but Paul suggests otherwise since he killed Rachel quickly and without leaving evidence.

He doesn’t think Colin has killed before though. However, he does believe the killer rehearsed it in his fantasies. He argues the killer didn’t know who the victim would be, and she could’ve been anyone with lovely, long blonde hair. He explains she needs to know what he is capable of and not worry about his part. He warns her that he will kill again so she needs to focus on the future. He doesn’t know how long it’ll take, but he knows the killer will strike again. Next, Colin talks about his proper relationship with Wendy but admits it wasn’t full sexual intercourse. He tells them about a time when Wendy took her top off for him. He goes on about the smell of her hair and how it made him relaxed and turned on. Sadie must stop the recording when Colin calls again. She finds out he is upset because people have been spreading rumors about something from last year.

She sympathizes with him and suggests moving, but Colin says he can’t since he has been there for so long. Colin says something terrible happened and she has likely read about it in the news. Lizzie claims she hasn’t heard about anything and doesn’t really watch television. Colin insists people just think he is weird because he isn’t married and doesn’t have a job. Then, he asks if she wants to spend the summer with him, so she says there are a few hurdles they need to resolve first. He says nothing like this has ever happened to him before. She is worried he might not like her once they meet and admits it might be difficult for her to drop her barrier. He tells her he loves her before stepping away from the phone. Baz (Nathaniel Martello-White) listens to the recording. He is worried what could happen, but Sadie believes she is on her way to getting a confession.

She insists she is only doing what she needs to do, and he should understand that. He wants her to think seriously about what Pedder is asking her to do. Sadie is adamant she is willing to go all the way to get a confession. Next, Lizzie tells a story about her cult days while rehearsing with Paul Britton. She talks about the feeling of cutting human flesh with a knife. Paul insists she needs to be eating since it should be as normal for her as it will be for him. Sadie isn’t sure about the satanic cult thing, but Paul says it is designed to appeal to the killer of Rachel Nickell. Sadie continues preparing at home by watching videos. The next day, she gets a visit from Lucy (Rochenda Sandall). Sadie asks for two minutes so Lucy agrees to put the kettle on. Sadie tells her that this stuff is mind blowing and they should teach it at Hendon.

Lucy realizes Sadie is deeply involved in the case, so she asks when the last time is she has seen daylight. They decide to go for a run together. Lucy pleads for Sadie to stop before asking what she is doing with all that research since they usually use their instincts. Sadie insists it is different before mentioning Colin’s severed bond with his mother. She admits he might become a serial killer if she doesn’t stop him, and the profile is spot on. Lucy says those profiles are a bit vague though. Sadie gets into it with a man playing soccer before Lucy convinces her to leave. When Sadie returns home, she watches another interview, and this time Colin is questioned about seeing Rachel on the common. He denies seeing her, so the detectives push harder. A call from Colin interrupts. She pretends she is cat sitting and he says he was in his garden. She sits on the remote and the interview video begins playing in the background, so she quickly ends the call after asking him to call back.

Later, Sadie goes to the common and remembers Colin saying he might’ve spotted Rachel there about two years ago. Colin denies sunbathing nude and seeing Rachel on the day of her murder. Sadie finds a memorial for Rachel. When she turns around, she imagines Colin is standing in front of her, but he isn’t. She freaks out and runs away. She returns to her vehicle and drives away in a hurry. Sadie returns home and watches Colin Stagg deny that he raped and murdered Rachel. She goes to the bathroom and places her face in water. She imagines seeing Colin and quickly raises her head. Then, she begins talking as Lizzie. She admits something happened to her and she only told one man. When she did, everything went to heck. She wants to tell Colin but can’t. After that, Pedder is pushed for results before getting a visit from a Star journalist who has heard about the undercover operation. Pedder takes him into a private area and denies having a covert operation.

The journalist says it wouldn’t be in their interest to walk away from a story like this so Pedder warns he won’t be walking anywhere. Sadie arrives and complains about the press knowing about her. Keith Pedder says he has kept them off for now, but they need to move things on much faster. Sadie learns they’ve signed off on her meeting Colin Stagg in person. She says good, but she isn’t sure why she is always the last to know. Colin lifts weights while Lizzie writes him another letter saying he is driving her mad. She wants him to burst and feel all powerful. Soon, she has a nightmare that she is being attacked by Colin in the shower. When she wakes up, she finds Pedder waiting outside for her. She quickly gets ready and rehearses while they wait for her outside. Colin gets her letter and necklace which she claims is the most valuable thing she owns. In the letter, Lizzie says she wants him to know about the things she has done.

Colin says goodbye to his dog before leaving. Sadie continues rehearsing while the officers get ready as well. Pedder checks to make sure she knows the signal and that she is okay. Next, Pedder and the others watch Stagg as he goes to the meeting point. Lizzie arrives. Time slows down when she sees Stagg in the distance and smiles as she approaches. They introduce themselves before the episode ends.

 

Deceit Review

Ultimately, I am a bit torn by the second episode of Deceit. Let me start by saying the episode was intense and riveting. However, there were many scenes that were blatantly added for the sake of the show and the nightmare scenes were unnecessary. I understand the show is trying to show the fear Sadie had for Colin Stagg at the time, but it felt a little too much here.

The story could’ve been told without this episode and it likely would’ve been better without it. I still enjoyed the creepiness of the main characters and the relationship development but believe it fell a bit short of the mark set by the first episode. A 7 out of 10 is deserved. Don’t forget to check out previous and future recaps of Deceit on Reel Mockery here.