As the second episode of Payback begins, DC Jibran Khan (Prasanna Puwanarajah) continues listening to Lexie Noble (Morven Christie) using the bug in her home. When Lexie leaves, she nearly gets into a car accident but stops just in time. At the office, Jason Perry (Levi Brown) tells her that the computers are still working and he dumped some of Jared’s personal things in boxes. The police said there wasn’t anything relevant to the investigation so they kept nothing. Lexie briefly speaks to Kathleen (Rebecca Benson) before saying she is going to start calling everyone today to explain there will be a handover period.

Jason dealt with five clients personally so Jason doesn’t know what kind of work he was doing for them. On the paperwork, Lexie sees several names, including Pier Horizon Enterprises and Aurora Quest Holdings. DS Rob Livingston (Steven Miller) and DI Jean Royce (Andi Osho) meet Jibran and DCI Adam Guthrie (Derek Riddell) because they have information about their case. Guthrie tells them about Cal Morris who is the head of one of the main crime families in Edinburgh. The businesses are now run by Cal’s daughter Bianca. Guthrie says they received information that Cal was buying a large piece of real estate which was a private island. Jibran says he established that Jared Noble was receiving regular payments that came from several shell companies.

It is believed they were being used as money laundering vehicles by Cal Morris. Jared might’ve been Cal’s money man. Jibran says they think Cal will want to try to buy the island again using Alexandra Noble. When he tries, they’ll take him down. Jean argues that she can’t just abandon Lexie as a possible suspect. Guthrie doesn’t want Morris to know they’ve made a connection until they know where Lexie fits into the picture. Lexie calls to ask about their mortgage, but learns their mortgage is no longer with the company. The mortgage was repaid in full in 2019. The payment came from a company called Pier Horizon Enterprises.

After that call, Lexie receives a call informing her there is a car waiting for her. Aaron Morris (Jack Greenlees) picks her up and says Uncle Cal is waiting. She gives him the cellphones before being told her bag will have to remain in the car. She is taken to Cal (Peter Mullan) and Malky Roberts (Steven Mackintosh). Lexie says she has been searching but hasn’t found the account details. If he knows the banks involved, they should be able to track the money. Cal admits Jared was too good at his job. Malky explains that Jared arranged for a third party to withdraw the money in cash and deposit it into another foreign account.

For security reasons, he didn’t share the details of that account with them. Cal tells her that he is buying the Isle of Eris. He knew it had to be handled with discretion so he turned to Jared. Time is pressing and he has something of a cash flow problem. They have 48 hours to complete the deal. They give Lexie until midday tomorrow to come up with the details. In the morning, Lexie finds Esme talking to someone but doesn’t see anyone. Esme claims she was talking to her daddy. Lexie reminds her daughter he isn’t there anymore before saying they should unpack the bag from the motel. When Lexie puts on Jared’s jacket, she finds a note in the pocket.

Doris (Eileen Duffy) complains that they have no fish fingers for lunch. Lexie knows she’ll need money and she hasn’t paid her, but they’re still not letting her get cash out. Lexie calls the bank to try to get it sorted out but can’t. Jibran hears Lexie get a call and recites the numbers from the note she just found. Malky gets the number and confirms it is a Maltese account. Cal tells Lexie that they can meet for a drink and discuss her house. Jibran tells Guthrie about the conversation after the call. If they can confirm Lexie is meeting Morris, that should be all they need to prove she is involved as well. Guthrie wants an unmarked car near the meeting point. Connie Morris (Julie Graham) asks Cal what he thinks of her party preparations so far.

He briefly talks to her about his week before saying they should just concentrate on decorating. Cal wants to create a day for Olivia that she’ll never forget. Connie says she is only three months old so she’ll never remember it. Malky interrupts because there is something Cal needs to hear. In private, Malky says the Maltese transfer went through. He had Dimitri’s guys go through all the shell companies. The Maltese account isn’t the only one they don’t have access to. Dimitri tells them that someone set up regular transfers to a dozen corporate accounts they knew nothing about. They suspect Jared had been doctoring the paperwork. Although they don’t have a final number, there are at least 28 million unaccounted for.

Cal is not happy. Malky believes they were wrong to trust either of them. Aaron gets a call while Lexie is in the backseat. He tells Lexie there has been a change of plans. Aaron takes her elsewhere before Malky and Cal arrive a short time later. Cal wants to know if Lexie knew her husband was robbing him blind. Lexie insists she didn’t know and didn’t even know what Jared was working on for him. She thought he was hiding something though. There wasn’t any extra cash and he wasn’t even paying Esme’s school fees. Cal says no one steals from him. He’ll tear the city apart to get back what’s his. He owns her house and her. Unless Lexie gets his money, he is going to be taking a lot more than just property.

After she says it’d take years to go through every corporate account and find the money, Cal says she better get started. Malky takes her somewhere so she can work and says Aaron will be with her at all times. If Malky had found out sooner, he would’ve killed Jared himself. Aaron and Malky talk about it in private and question whether Lexie could be playing them. Later, Lexie believes she can see a pattern. However, she is exhausted and unable to concentrate anymore. Malky agrees to let her go home for the rest of the night. The detectives keep track of Aaron’s vehicle. Guthrie tells them to stay on her to see if she’ll take them to the organ grinder. After more research, Lexie mentions Sentinel Bridge Holdings.

She walks Malky through the transfers Jared had set up. For each shell company, there is one account they do not have access to. Any money sent to that account goes into someone else’s pocket. Although they own Sentinel Bridge Holdings, A5 is registered under that man too. Someone registered the same name in a different jurisdiction. To get the money back, they’d have to first find out where each duplicate company is registered. Malky agrees to get her what she needs to find out without using official channels. Instead of taking her home, Aaron takes her to Cal’s place where they’re getting ready for the party. Outside, Cal speaks to Connie about Jared and Lexie.

He goes inside where Lexie admits she doesn’t know how long it’ll take to trace the money because it is a huge amount of work. Cal offers her a lot of money to help her concentrate, but Lexie doesn’t want to take his money. As she takes it, someone outside films her doing so. At home, Lexie talks to someone on the phone about paying the fees in full. She also gives Doris cash and a little extra. Jibran tells Adam Guthrie he just spoke to someone at the Scottish Land Registry. The agent handling the sale of the Isle of Eris has gone missing along with crucial paperwork. Jibran believes Morris is involved. Guthrie shows him the pictures of Lexie with the money and says she could be useful to them. Guthrie confronts her in a parking garage so he can talk to her about Cal.

 

Payback Review

The second episode of Payback was a bit slower than the first without a lot of action. The story is becoming a little contrived so it is hard to believe everything that is happening to Lexie. On the other hand, Payback has many bright spots with the acting being very good. Peter Mullan was particularly good in this episode while Morven Christie, Steven Mackintosh, and others have been consistent throughout.

The story is compelling despite not being realistic or original. Truthfully, Payback is watchable even if there are elements that don’t work as well as they could’ve. If viewers are willing to accept the story for what it is, they may enjoy both episodes. Otherwise, they could nitpick it for hours.

The second episode scores a 6 out of 10. Recaps of Payback are available on Reel Mockery here. Find out how to support our independent site at this link. Learn more about advertising on Reel Mockery here.