Absentia season 3, episode 9 recap – what happened in “Tenebris”?

By Daniel Hart
Published: July 17, 2020 (Last updated: last month)
0
View all
Absentia season 3, episode 9 - Tenebris
4.5

Summary

Episode 9 leaves the viewers on a terrifying cliffhanger for an intense finale.

This recap of Amazon original series Absentia season 3, episode 9, “Tenebris” contains spoilers.

Access all the episode recaps.


How does Absentia season 3, episode 9, “Tenebris” open?

Flynn continues to hide in the house as Dawkins taunts him trying to draw him out. Dawkins finally finds him but Jack attacks and screams for Flynn to run; Dawkins uses his silencer on Jack right in his side. Emily’s family is truly in danger in the dying embers of season 3. The grandad checks up on Jack who is still alive but slowly bleeding out.

Keeping cool

Elliot has Emily tied up and he is asking for the files. Emily headbutts the man, refusing to give them up. Outside of the room, Cal looks at her as she is stripped naked and searched and it’s clearly paining him. He keeps his cool, clearly seeing the longer mission but there are many variables at the start of episode 9.

Securing their future

As for Nick, he is not messing about, entering the prisons to help free the refugees. Elliot is not concerned, claiming he is securing their future as he locks some vials in a case. If we thought Dawkins was an intriguing villain, Elliot is on a different level.

Armstrong has a go

Armstrong tries to get information off Emily while hitting her. He then gets a nail and a hammer and smashes it in her hand. Nick managed to not break under psychological torture, now it’s Emily’s turn to work through the pain.

Finding Foster

Julianne and Crown go to Foster’s hotel room to bring him down as the mole, but as they enter his hotel room, Foster has hung himself. In the room was Thompson’s investigation binder. Crown tells Julianne that Foster gets no sympathy. Another twist is lurking…

Family for files

Elliot tells Emily that they are running out of time and that she has no idea of the scale and scope of the project. He veers the conversation to discuss a broken world and that he’s just taking an opportunity as they are a violent species — “Why not profit from it?”. This scene turns sinister as it’s evident that Elliot is a psychopath. Elliot then turns the story on its head stating Dawkins has her family and insists that they will die if she does not speak. This is a significant moment for Emily because her family is her weakness.

Archery practice

At the midway point of Absentia season 3, episode 9, “Tenebris”, Dawkins enters the barn and Flynn tries to shoot him with an arrow from distance but misses. On the second opportunity, he misses but manages to run away again. This scene is obviously tense but it actually demonstrates that Flynn has his mother’s skills.

Finding the files

While playing with Emily’s jewelry, Elliot finds the files embedded inside. As for Nick, he’s freed the prisoners. Everything is coming in to play but it’s all down to Emily now.

Look at me

Cal ends up fighting Armstrong intensely. Armstrong repeatedly punches Cal in the face. Armstrong is definitely a roid-head as he seems more concerned about his strength but Cal manages to trap Armstrong’s head in his legs and stab him. As Armstrong dies, Cal asks him to look at him. Cal has managed to get his sweet revenge. You can sense his relief that he’s got closure over what happened in the military.

Emily is activated

Flynn manages to land one of his arrows on Dawkins. Meanwhile, Emily escapes the chair she is tied to which involves pulling out the nail. She kills a guard and takes their gun. Now angry, she navigates through the building killing multiple guards while showing off her mixed martial arts and marksmanship. Emily kicks Elliot to his chair and tells him to tell Dawkins to leave her family alone. Meanwhile, Flynn gives himself up but it was a trap as he lets Dawkins walk towards him and fall in a well that was covered by dodgy planks. Emily rings Flynn and is relieved to hear he is alive.

How does Absentia season 3, episode 9, “Tenebris” end?

Elliot tries to inject Emily but she turns it around on him. As he dies, he says, “It’s too late Emily, she already has the bioagent”. Cal enters the room and drops his gun and asks if she’s okay. She says “it’s done” and as Nick enters the room, she shows the broken necklace that Elliot was playing with. Episode 9 leaves the viewers on a terrifying cliffhanger for an intense finale.

Amazon Prime Video, TV Recaps
View all