Expectations for a series finale can sometimes be met with disappointment—plot holes, unfinished storylines, or even a setup for a future season. Thankfully, Craith did not disappoint on any of these fronts. And rightly so, considering that this was not just the season finale but the final episode of the entire series.
The pressure was certainly on, but it’s a relief to say that Craith delivered a conclusion that was more than deserving of the show. This finale ranks among the best, offering satisfaction on every possible level. It was tense, fast-paced (for Craith), emotionally draining, yet immensely gratifying.
Craith’s series finale delivers a satisfying end (Photo: Hidden Series 3/7 Media Production)The entire episode was beautifully crafted, with every thread of the story tied up neatly. Nothing was left unanswered.
Building to the Final Showdown
We were last left with Siôn and Glyn on the run, with the looming fear that Siôn might kill himself and his brother to end their unbearable pain, grief, and guilt. This heightened the urgency for Cadi and Owen to figure out where they had gone.
They set up camp at Siôn and Glyn’s house, hoping to find a clue. It had already been established that the person who killed Ifan Williams had also killed Father McEwan, and with the new knowledge about Ifan’s past actions towards Branwen Thomas, the focus shifted to Siôn.
While Cadi went to meet Hannah to learn more about Siôn’s unstable state before he ran off, Owen took a patrol car to Siwan’s house to ensure she and Gusto were safe. It was during these moments that the strength of the script shone through.
The characters were engaging in authentic, grown-up conversations about love, loss, guilt, regret, and grief—topics that felt mature and relatable, offering truly engaging television. Back at the Thomas house, Cadi continued her search for clues and slowly pieced together the story.
I was particularly pleased with this development because, amidst all the emotional turmoil of the series, Cadi proved once again that she is an exceptional detective. She noticed the cuttings in Siôn’s scrapbook, learned about his mother’s nursing career, and followed that lead to uncover his recent work history.
The Emotional Resolution
Cadi and the team raced to the location, and despite the dire circumstances, Cadi took matters into her own hands, entering the dilapidated building alone to find the brothers (and yes, she earned her hero moment). At this point, I was on the edge of my seat, with my heart racing.
Craith may not be Line of Duty, but it came close, especially in terms of intensity. Glyn’s discomfort in the tense situation, with Siôn teetering on the edge of madness, turned it into a desperate race against time.
Within half an hour, Siôn, played superbly by Sion Ifan, was in an interview room, and Glyn, who had once seemed poised to follow his brother into danger, was safe and with Hannah. What a powerful start to the episode.
Then came an unexpected turn. Cadi didn’t just try to extract a confession from Siôn (which she did, in due course), but she also sought the truth behind his actions. She wanted to understand the root cause of his behavior. This, too, was a very Craith-like touch.
When Siôn was reluctant to cooperate, Cadi spotted something important in the CCTV footage from the bar where Siôn had confronted Ifan. Most TV detectives would’ve been content with just the confession, but not Cadi.
She needed to know the whole truth, and her determination was tied to her tragic past—her mother’s death at an early age, a detail that made her sympathize deeply with Siôn. When Siôn broke down and shared everything, it felt like a breakthrough.
I was also struck by how much more emotion was conveyed in this episode. Owen interviewed Glyn, with Hannah there to support him as his appropriate adult. Owen struggled to hold back tears when he confirmed Siôn’s suspicious behavior.
Despite the emotional chaos, it was Glyn who eventually comforted Siôn, reassuring him that everything would be okay. It was a moment of incredible maturity from Glyn. During Siôn’s interview, he revealed that Ifan had drunkenly confessed to starting the fire in the bar, which was where he discovered the truth about who killed his mother.
He also disclosed that it was Dafydd who had admitted to Father McEwan that he had been involved in Ifan’s actions.
A Satisfying Conclusion
The final thread to tie up was Cadi’s future. Throughout the series, Cadi had become increasingly uneasy about the idea of moving to Liverpool for her job. It wasn’t a shock when she decided against the move, opting instead to remain in North Wales. For viewers, this was a sense of relief, perhaps even a moment to cheer.
No loose ends left in this expertly crafted conclusion (Photo: Hidden Series 3/7 Media Production)As she settled by the fire with Rachel on the beach, it became clear that Cadi’s decision was not easy. She chose not to flee but to embrace the possibility of finding happiness where she was. This was an ending done right.
This decision to stay tied beautifully into the recurring theme of the show—the threat to the home. We saw Lea facing eviction from her family council house, Siwan and Mair contemplating leaving their farm, and Father McEwan leaving his spiritual home in the most dramatic way possible.
Cadi too grappled with leaving the station and her job. By weaving such a deeply emotional story around the theme of home and its fragility, Craith proved its brilliance. The performances across the board were exceptional—Sion Ifan, Justin Melluish, and especially Sian Reese-Williams, whose portrayal of Cadi fit her character perfectly.
As Craith comes to an end, it leaves behind a legacy of being the finest Welsh crime drama we’ve seen, carrying the torch from Hinterland/Y Gwyll with remarkable confidence and style. The creative team, led by Ed Talfan and Hannah Thomas at Severn Screen, has taken everything they learned and perfected it with Craith. It’s a massive achievement.
What Craith has done so well is highlight the brokenness of its characters—the abused, the mistreated, and the traumatised—and present their stories without making excuses for their actions. Instead, it offers valuable context, and this is perhaps the show’s greatest legacy.
