Treason Ending Explained: Shocking Twist in the Finale

Anticipation for a series titled Treason to be filled with unexpected twists is high, and this story about an MI6 agent striving to vindicate himself certainly delivers on that front. The story goes beyond what typical spy thrillers usually present, offering a thrilling experience for viewers.

As the final episode of Treason reveals, Adam and his wife, Maddy, find themselves in a dire situation, yet they persist in their struggle with Kara’s support. Maintaining ties with an ex can sometimes prove advantageous!

In a crucial moment, Maddy divulges to Alex Kingston’s aspiring PM, Sir Martin Angelis, that Adam was appointed his deputy at MI6 as a means of coercion. The aim was to exploit her husband’s alleged “defection” against him. However, Adam never truly defected.

He harbored some secrets but never intended to betray his country. Despite this, Angelis relentlessly pursues Adam and his family after the truth emerges.

Reluctantly, the future PM offers Maddy immunity in exchange for files that validate her claims regarding Adam. At the same time, Adam is expressing regret to Kara for not assisting her during an incident in Baku 15 years prior.

The love triangle converges at a location where the files are kept, an office located in a shipping dock by the Thames. While seemingly random, it serves as an effective dramatic setting.

As Adam prepares to confront the impending CIA threat, Kara locates the file that could prove his innocence, but her progress is interrupted by an officer demanding its return.

“This drive contains everything Angelis could use to manipulate others,” Kara asserts, but her pleas fall on deaf ears, both to the woman confronting her and to the man attacking from behind.

In the chaos, Kara loses the file, but Maddy arrives just in time to reclaim it.

Unfortunately, Adam faces an immediate threat, being held at gunpoint by Maddy’s former acquaintance, Dede, a CIA operative who has been investigating the Dorian case.

“He’s a traitor to his country, Maddy,” Dede yells. “If you hand over Kara and the drive, I can ensure he won’t be treated too harshly. You have 30 seconds.”

Kara doubts Adam’s imminent danger, insisting, “She won’t pull the trigger, it’s fine.” Maddy, however, is consumed by fear. “You don’t understand her!”

In a moment of desperation, Maddy rushes in to sacrifice the file to save her husband’s life, but it’s too late. Surprised, Dede shoots Adam in the chest, leaving him lifeless by the grimy Thames.

Yes, he is indeed dead. “He’s gone. You can’t save him,” Kara informs Maddy, and a close-up of Adam’s vacant gaze confirms the tragic reality.

The shocking turn of events was a surprise to viewers; such an unexpected death of a main character is a rare occurrence in storytelling.

Charlie Cox, who portrays Adam, found enjoyment in filming those intense scenes, stating, “It was exhilarating since we hadn’t engaged in much action on this show. The few moments of running and fighting felt minimal. Doing a bit more was refreshing.”

He continued, “I was aware from the start that Adam wouldn’t make it through the first season. I thought it was beautifully executed. The delivery was genuinely shocking when I read the script.”

Cox expressed excitement about breaking conventional molds, sharing, “I have no issues with playing a character that doesn’t make it. Sometimes, it clarifies your future because surviving a season leaves you wondering about your fate for the next.”

The story swiftly transitions to Angelis informing other agents about Adam’s death at the hands of the Russians, as he portrays the incident. Meanwhile, Adam’s former colleagues endure a peculiar metaphor regarding the fairy wren bird, known for its secret call that identifies cuckoo double agents in their nests.

Maddy struggles to process Adam’s death but is compelled to act quickly. “The CIA wouldn’t assassinate someone on UK soil without authorization,” Kara warns. “That means Angelis will be hunting for us.”

Recalling her prior agreement with Alex Kingston’s character, Maddy reaches out for assistance. “Adam sacrificed himself to get you these files. Show some bravery!” Yet, her plea falls flat when the future PM abruptly hangs up.

Devoid of options, Maddy resolves to hide her family in Madrid, but Kara rejects that plan. Together, they devise a strategy to utilize the files and salvage Adam’s reputation.

Naturally, this planning session involves wine and noodles, a perfect combination for brainstorming. During their conversation, Kara sheds light on her past with Adam, clarifying that he couldn’t possibly be a double agent since he was with her on the night Kara’s men were slain by Dorian.

“I’ve sought justice for those men for 15 years, but Dorian’s trail has grown cold.”

Maddy responds, “Perhaps we should make some waves.”

To initiate their plan, Kara contacts her Russian associate, hoping to lure Dorian out into the open. Meanwhile, Maddy heads to the committee chamber, just as Angelis publicly declares Adam a traitor.

On her way, she encounters Patrick, one of Adam’s former colleagues. When he spots the file, he claims Adam wanted him to have it, but Maddy sees right through his facade.

“You’re lying. It’s you! You’re Dorian. You killed those men.”

Patrick lunges for the file, prompting Maddy to deliver a satisfying punch to his throat using the hard drive. Arriving at the committee meeting, she watches as Kingston’s politician prepares to make a statement.

Using the evidence contained in the hard drive, she reveals that Adam is not a traitor. The true culprit of treason is Angelis himself. With damning evidence displayed on the screen, it becomes clear that the MI6 chief exploited a private cache of intel to blackmail powerful figures, ensuring his reign as the longest-serving intelligence chief in history.

“Far from being a traitor, Adam sacrificed his life to expose treachery within this establishment.”

At this point, Angelis, feeling slightly embarrassed, attempts to exit, but Maddy confronts him, reinforcing her stance. “Patrick is Dorian, and you let the real enemy escape…”

However, Patrick doesn’t manage to flee. Following his call to the Russians—”the situation is salvageable”—viewers learn that a photo Kara provided him was laced with a deadly toxin, taking effect almost immediately.

Conveniently, the symptoms of coughing and choking only begin after the phone call concludes. Watching Patrick/Dorian succumb as Kara walks away with satisfaction is almost more gratifying than Maddy’s earlier neck punch.

How Treason’s Ending Sets Up Season 2

With her vengeance complete, Kara seems satisfied, and Maddy experiences her own sense of retribution upon hearing that Angelis has been arrested. Yet, her thirst for justice remains unquenched. Maddy contacts Dede to announce her intent to ensure Adam’s murder does not go unpunished.

“I won’t rest until everyone knows what you did… I’m determined to dismantle your shining career,” Maddy declares vehemently before hanging up.

In a poignant final scene by the river, Kara prepares to return to Russia. Before her departure, she and Maddy share an emotional embrace, both teary-eyed as Maddy looks forward to reuniting with her children for the first time since their father’s death.

“I’m here,” she sobs as the Lawrence family clings to one another on the bridge, seeking comfort. Kara watches from a distance, filled with sorrow for both Maddy and herself.

Thus, Treason reaches its conclusion, though several loose ends hint at a potential new season.

While Dorian is dead and Angelis incarcerated, Kara’s future remains uncertain. Despite the closure Patrick’s demise brings her, it’s easy to envision another season featuring Olga Kurylenko in a lead role.

When asked about the series’ future, Cox remarked, “I have no insights. I might be the wrong person to ask. Maybe there was never a chance, or they might not want that. I genuinely have no clue.”

The prospect of Maddy pursuing Dede for revenge in a second season is also enticing.

Although some may argue that this could undermine the finale, the series is titled Treason, suggesting that anything is possible at this point.