New viewers have just discovered the gripping conclusion of Deadwater Fell as the series becomes available for streaming on Netflix, offering an intense four-part drama that has enticed audiences.
David Tennant plays Dr. Tom Kendrick, a much-admired GP in a small Scottish town whose life unravels when his wife and children are tragically killed in a fire at their family home.
With Tom being the only survivor, suspicions soon arise, casting him as the primary suspect in a crime that shakes the tight-knit community to its core.
Dr. Kendrick’s life of respect hides a brutal truth that shocks everyone (Photo: Deadwater Fell/Kudos, part of the Endemol Shine Group)Why Did Tom Kill His Family?
In a shocking turn of events, the final episode exposes Tom as the murderer of his wife and three daughters after learning about Kate’s plans to leave him. The clues had been present from the start, including the subtle but crucial injection marks on the victims’ arms, marks that only a trained doctor like Tom could have made with such ease.
As the series progressed, the tension surrounding Tom’s strained relationship with Kate became more apparent, showing his controlling and abusive nature. Daisy Coulam, the show’s writer, reveals that from the outset, Tom was always intended to be the culprit.
She comments on how the audience’s shifting suspicion towards others in the story, even Kate, added to the mystery. “I found it really interesting that people have looked everywhere,” Coulam says. “In fact, they say it’s ‘too obvious’ to be Tom.”
She further reflects on the need to address the theme of men who commit familial murders, acknowledging that men are far more likely to commit such crimes than women. The final episodes plays the truth, showing Tom’s descent into a horrific crime without seeking any justification or moral excuse.
What Led Lewis to Self-Harm?
A particularly disturbing scene in the finale reveals that Steve’s young son, Lewis, self-harms by picking at his burn injury from earlier in the series. Coulam explains that this act symbolizes the broader theme of silence and the lack of communication within the family.
Lewis, who has been unable to express his trauma, resorts to this harmful coping mechanism as his emotions fester in isolation. “Men are incapable of talking about their problems, and this gets passed down to the children,” she explains, emphasizing the generational cycle of suppressed emotions.
Steve’s own emotional turmoil reflects this pattern. Although he does not physically harm himself, his psychological anguish almost destroys him. Coulam highlights how Steve’s inability to communicate plays a critical role in his struggles, both internally and in his relationship with his son. His reluctance to express his feelings becomes a barrier that prevents healing, perpetuating toxic masculinity within the family.
Will Steve and Jess Stay Together?
Despite the series’ harrowing events, the final moments between Steve and Jess are filled with hope as they share a moment of genuine connection. Their relationship, tested by unimaginable trauma, appears to find new strength as they begin to communicate more openly.
The horrifying truth emerges as Tom’s facade crumbles under pressure (Photo: Deadwater Fell/Kudos, part of the Endemol Shine Group)Coulam is optimistic about their future, believing that their conversation in the final episode signals the beginning of a healing process. “They talk about things that are upsetting them and through that, they heal. I think they’ll go on and be happy,” she reflects.
Why Didn’t the IVF Work?
Throughout the series, Steve and Jess struggle with infertility, attempting to conceive through IVF. This subplot, inspired by Coulam’s own experiences, serves as a poignant story thread. In the finale, it’s revealed that their IVF attempts have failed.
However, after some reflection, the couple comes to terms with their situation. “I wanted my characters to decide not to do it and have that be a positive ending for them,” Coulam explains.
She stresses that while IVF may not work for some, it doesn’t mean life is over. “If you don’t have kids, that doesn’t mean your life is over – you just need to find a different way,” she adds.
Why Did Carol Withhold Information?
The final episode also exposes a key revelation about Carol, Tom’s mother. She had known of Tom’s involvement in the crimes from the beginning but had kept it to herself for a long time. Carol’s decision to withhold critical information stems from her struggle to accept that her son could commit such a horrific act.
Coulam delves into the difficulty of confronting uncomfortable truths, especially involving loved ones. “When you realise that somebody in your life is toxic, it takes an awful lot of courage to speak up,” she says. “In that last episode, all of our characters are saying things they’ve just been unable to say. Actually, only by doing that can you move on.”
Deadwater Fell is now available to stream on Channel 4 and Netflix.
