The intense ITV crime thriller has reached its final episode, yet there are still many unanswered questions. At the start of the series, PC Jo Marshall (Sophie Rundle) came across Daniel Eden’s (Arthur McBain) lifeless body inside a lift at Riverside Court.
Initial assumptions pointed to drowning due to the recent flood, but forensic examination revealed he had died days before Waterside was submerged.
The shocking truth behind Daniel Eden’s death finally emerges (Photo: After The Flood/ITV Studios)It has become evident that Jo’s husband, Pat (Matt Stokoe), played a role in Daniel’s death, and there is a strong possibility that Daniel’s longtime friend, Lee Ellison, was also involved. However, the full details of what transpired in that office at Riverside Court remain unclear, just like the red car’s connection to the case.
Jack Radcliffe (Philip Glenister), the owner of Riverside Court, had been cutting corners in his Eco Housing Development project. There are suspicions that he was responsible for Chris the caretaker’s death, possibly to silence him after making a crucial discovery.
The involvement of Jack and councillor Sarah Mackie (Jacqueline Boatswain) in Chris’ death remains uncertain, but their knowledge of Daniel’s murder raises even more concerns.
Here is what happened in the final episode.
Who Was Behind Daniel Eden’s Death?
At the beginning of the episode, Pat confesses to Jo that he was present at Riverside Court when Daniel died, revealing that Sgt Mackie was also involved. He discloses that Mackie had been corrupt for years and had long been aware of Jack Radcliffe’s stolen construction equipment.
Pat also admits that Mackie had coerced him into accepting bribes, something he had reluctantly gone along with.
The situation was tied to Jack’s insurance scam, which involved Lee dismantling the construction equipment while Daniel coordinated shipments with Keith. However, delays in moving the stolen machinery created tension among everyone involved, including Mackie’s wife, Sarah, who was entangled in the illegal dealings.
A flashback to 48 hours before the flood provides insight into what took place inside the Riverside Court office. Lee, Daniel, Pat, Mackie, Sarah, and Jack had gathered to discuss their next move.
Mackie proposed that Daniel and Lee purchase a brownfield site from Jack for £100,000 to keep the entire operation afloat. Daniel refused, but Lee accepted the deal after Jack offered to buy the site back for £120,000 within a month and split the insurance scam proceeds at a 55:45 ratio in their favour.
Tensions escalated when Daniel provoked Mackie by mentioning his wife’s unfaithfulness, which pushed Mackie to kill him. Jack attempted to call for an ambulance, and Lee tried to assist Daniel, but Mackie insisted that they were all now implicated and should leave him to die.
It was later revealed that Daniel had already withdrawn the £100,000 from their joint account to escape with Emma, explaining why he turned down Jack’s offer.
Returning to the present, Pat also reveals that Mackie and Sarah had previously been Lee’s foster parents. They had ignored his criminal activities while he put his illicit earnings into a savings account meant for them both.
Jo criticises Pat for being weak and corrupt, but he fires back with a shocking revelation—her late father was one of the most dishonest officers he had ever worked with. Pat claims her father planted evidence, fabricated testimonies in court, and framed people, but only those who “deserved it.” Jo, shaken by this revelation, drives off, unwilling to hear more.
Was Lee Responsible for Chris’ Death?
While Waterside is once again threatened by rising floodwaters, Mackie is more concerned about Lee Ellison, who is roaming the town armed. Lee is furious that Mackie failed to warn him about the police raid, but Mackie distracts him by mentioning Daniel’s girlfriend, hinting that she could help recover his money. However, upon learning that Jo was responsible for the raid, Lee immediately sets out to find her.
Meanwhile, Mackie informs Jack that the stolen shipping containers have been discovered, putting his insurance scam and financial situation in jeopardy. When Jack threatens to expose Mackie’s misdeeds, Mackie responds with a heavy blow.
Jo receives a message from Amy—the woman whose baby she helped rescue earlier in the series—asking for assistance. She rushes to the house, only to find Lee waiting for her.
Furious, Lee lashes out when he realises that Pat handed over Tasha to the authorities in an attempt to save himself. Since Tasha believes Lee was responsible for Daniel’s murder, Lee speeds off in his car with Jo inside.
While in the car, Jo tells Lee that she knows he moved Daniel’s body before the flood, which explains why he was in town that day and able to rescue the baby. Later, he went back to relocate the red car, with assistance from PC Gibson—an officer who had already been exposed as being aligned with Mackie.
She further deduces that Chris was involved in helping them, which likely led to his death. But before Lee can answer whether he killed Chris, the car veers off the road.
Did Mackie Escape Justice?
Lee eventually confesses that he killed Chris the caretaker, fearing that Chris would expose everything, and later called Mackie for assistance. Jo argues that Lee was manipulated by his foster parent, but Lee defends Mackie, claiming that he and Sarah were the only ones who ever cared for him.
Tensions explode in a deadly confrontation at Riverside Court (Photo: After The Flood/ITV Studios)Though Jo survives the crash, she goes into premature labour with the flood drawing closer. This wasn’t how she imagined giving birth. Lee contacts Tasha, who informs Pat, and together they rush to assist. By the time they arrive, Jo and her baby are safe—but Lee is dead.
What led to Lee’s death remains a mystery. Did he take his own life, or did he succumb to injuries from the accident? Considering he was likely facing a murder conviction, it’s difficult not to feel a small sense of pity for him.
At the hospital, Mackie suggests shifting all the blame onto Lee. Jo refuses, making it clear that Mackie was responsible for Daniel Eden’s murder and had manipulated Lee into killing Chris Robinson.
In response, Mackie threatens to destroy Jo’s career and have her imprisoned for breaking the law while searching for Tasha. He also claims that Chris’ death was on Jo, arguing that she failed to follow proper police procedures.
Unshaken by his threats, Jo begins to suspect that Mackie was behind the attempted hit-and-run that nearly killed her mother, orchestrated to cover his tracks. It becomes evident that he was responsible.
Mackie then resorts to issuing warnings against Jo’s family and friends in an attempt to intimidate her into silence. But will she back down? With Pat now firmly in her corner, it is clear she is not alone in this fight. However, for now, it seems Mackie has managed to escape justice—at least temporarily.
