Too Good To Be True Series 1 Episode 4 Recap

As the episode opens, Simone Hale (Sara Powell) disables Elliot’s surveillance system disabled. Rachel (Kara Tointon) drops Liam (Charlie Hodson Prior) off at school. Simone finds a restraining order for Olivia Fielding. She accesses Elliot’s safe. He calls to ask her to check the surveillance system. She locks the safe and enables the security system. He accesses the footage to see Simone at her desk.

Rachel is at her vandalized flat when two constables arrive to inform her of Elliot Fielding (Allen Leech) being attacked by Olivia. A short time later, she knocks on his door. She apologizes for not believing what he said about Olivia. He says she was looking out for Liam. He offers to pay Liam’s tuition to a private school for high-achievers. She declines his offer. He says Liam deserves the opportunity.

She shows Liam the private school brochure. Someone leaves a manila envelope on her doorstep. She opens it to find a newspaper clipping about the house fire that claimed the life of Elliot’s mother. When she calls the number, she reaches Simone who warns her that Elliot may not be telling the truth about his past. After checking on Liam, Rachel conducts an Internet search to learn Elliot was treated by a psychiatrist, Dr. Debra Mallon (Alison Rose). She contacts Willow River Clinic to request a meeting with Mallon.

Elliot calls Rachel as she drops Liam off at the school. He watches her from his vehicle. She ignores his call and a short time later takes a bus to Willow River Clinic. He follows the bus. The receptionist refuses to let her see Debra without an appointment. She waits in the parking lot until Debra leaves for the day. Debra is reluctant to talk about Elliot until Rachel tells her about Liam. Elliot sits in his car outside Liam’s school. Debra tells Rachel that Elliot was like an empty shell but he became dependent and possessive with her. She says he became abusive when she had to rearrange his appointment. Debra claims Elliot ran away from a foster home and showed up at her house. She admits to having been frightened of him. Elliot tells Liam that Rachel asked him to take him to the cabin and she would join them there later. Debra says Elliot’s father, Gregory denied setting the fire and claimed to have arrived to find the house on fire.

Elliot and Liam arrive at the cabin. Liam rushes out to the shed while Elliot grabs a gas can out of the boot. Simone tries to call Rachel but she doesn’t answer. When she calls Elliot, he tells her that they will talk Monday. Rachel arrives home to find Liam not there. She tries his phone but it is out of range. She receives a call from Elliot informing her that he picked Liam up after school and they are at the cabin. She rushes out the door to find him standing in front of her flat. He asks about Mallon.

En route to the cabin, Rachel receives an incoming call from Simone. Elliot forcibly takes her phone. Simone visits Rachel’s flat as she and Elliot arrive at the cabin. Rachel tries to leave with Liam but he refuses to let them leave. Simone calls the police. When they enter the cabin, they see a petrol can sitting on the floor and a dead animal on a cutting board. Elliot tries to convince Liam to not trust Rachel and she abandoned him as his mum abandoned him. Liam runs outside. Elliot accuses Rachel of hurting him but he is still trying to love her. She assures him that they can fix it. She pleads with him to let her take Liam home. He denies wanting his mum to suffer but she was going to abandon him. Rachel vows to not leave him before grabbing for the knife. He shoves her to the floor.

Elliot tells Rachel that she doesn’t deserve to be a mother. She calls him pathetic before claiming to live a life of pain. He strangles her when Liam hits him on the head. They flee outside to find Elliot’s car doors locked. She goes back in to retrieve the keys but he wakes up before she can get them. They race to the Land Rover in the shed. Liam tries to start the engine but he doesn’t turn over. They are hiding underneath it when he enters. He pulls her out and attacks her. The struggle ensues until she shoves him outside and utilizes the propane torch to set him on fire. A siren can be heard in the distance.

Jasmine (Taj Atwal) welcomes Rachel and Liam home. Rachel tells Liam that she temporarily left him but went back to get him. She confesses to love him. Simone gives Rachel a check. Rachel tells her that she doesn’t want it. Simone urges her to think about it. Liam recalls Elliot telling him that Rachel didn’t want him. The episode ends.

 

Too Good To Be True Review

The story is predictable and hardly what I would call a good psychological thriller. There is little about the series that stands out as unique. A psychopath preys on a single mother who reminds him of his own mum. When have you ever heard this before, being sarcastic?

A check is supposed to placate viewers by adding a touch of goodness to a tragic ending. Cliché after cliché – the car doesn’t start, go back for the keys, Elliot wakes up, and grabs Rachel’s leg, and Rachel gets the upper hand in a physical struggle and torches Elliot.

Allen Leech does the perfect portrayal of a psychopath.

Liam manipulated by Elliot whom he knew for less than a month. A lame attempt to score a season 2.

I would honestly hope viewers would expect much more from a so-called psychological thriller. It deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more Too Good To Be True recaps here. Support Reel Mockery by donating. Learn how advertising with us can help build your brand awareness. Join our newly established forum to discuss the latest TV show releases, sports, scams, true crime, and more.