Summary
Viewers are treated to a fascinating flashback installment, which focuses on the Adelaide Burrowes murder investigation. This cleverly structured penultimate episode answers a few of the show’s main questions and features a stunning performance from Peter Capaldi, but it is still frustratingly ambiguous nevertheless.
The central premise in Apple TV+’s crime drama series Criminal Record has been the investigation into the murder of Adelaide Burrowes. From the off, viewers are led to believe that Errol Mathis had been wrongly convicted of killing his partner. In Episode 7 of Season 1, titled “The Sixty-Twos,” we are shown the full backstory to that specific investigation, with flashbacks exploring Daniel’s murky methods and motives in that case. It’s an eye-opening account and yet it still keeps many of the show’s mysteries frustratingly obscure.
The penultimate episode kicks off with DCI Daniel Hegarty recounting the summer riots from all those years ago. He states that Errol was one of the many criminals involved in those riots, found looting the nearby shops. Only 3 weeks after the riots, Errol’s girlfriend Adelaide was murdered and Errol was found fleeing the scene of the crime.
Daniel is put in charge of that investigation, and he is placed under immense pressure to get results from the very start. The police force was taking a lot of heat at that particular period of time, after the riots. They needed to make an example out of Errol. But Daniel wasn’t in the right frame of mind to be handling the case. His wife had just died only 6 months earlier and he was struggling to parent his daughter on his own in the meantime.
The DCI was tasked with saving the Metropolitan Police Service and proving Errol’s crimes. He gathered his most trusted allies, known as The Sixty-Twos, for this difficult undertaking. Kim and Tony discuss Errol’s history of violence and all of the evidence that they have gathered right away. It is revealed that Patrick isn’t Errol’s biological son, that Adelaide had no other family and didn’t keep in touch with Patrick’s real father either.
What is Errol’s alibi?
Daniel then interviews Errol. The suspect is adamant that he has no memories from the day of the murder due to the trauma, but promises that he wasn’t in the flat at the time of the crime, he has an alibi. He was looking for work as a barber. Errol had met up with Mostapha Demir. Daniel didn’t know about this potential alibi. He asks Kim to chase it up.
Mostapha is questioned and regrettably points to the wrong photo during his interrogation. It doesn’t look like Kim or Tony had harassed Mostapha, but he was definitely rushed into making a hasty decision. Daniel then speaks with Patrick at the hospital. Patrick tells Daniel that Adelaide and Errol argued over money a lot. Daniel records Patrick’s words.
All the evidence points towards Errol being the killer, but Daniel still handles the investigation professionally, focusing on the evidence, or so it seems. Tony believes that Errol is the killer, but the higher-ups aren’t ready to press charges just yet. They want more evidence.
All the while, Daniel’s daughter Lisa is calling, asking when her daddy is coming home. The filmmakers do a great job of highlighting Daniel’s stresses, illustrating the spiraling chaos. Daniel has just 24 hours to either charge or release Errol. But Daniel still has his doubts, even with all the information presented to him.
What convinces Daniel that Errol is the killer?
Daniel meets with Errol’s father Reggie Mathis in Criminal Record Episode 7, hoping for further backstory and any more relevant information. Reggie says that Errol stabbed him when he was a teenager, whilst high on drugs. This is all Daniel needs to be swayed. He now believes that Errol is the killer. He has a history of violence, he is out of control, and can be aggressive to those closest to him.
With only 7 hours left to press charges, Daniel takes Errol back to the scene of the crime. He hopes that this will jog Errol’s memories. Errol is traumatized by the trip though. He admits that he hasn’t remembered anything new. Daniel is disappointed in Errol’s unchanged stance.
Under pressure, Daniel plays dirty. He manages to separate Errol from his lawyer. Tony and Daniel drive Errol back to the scene of the crime once more. Daniel lies, saying that he has left his phone there, but it is just an excuse to try and coerce Errol one more time.
Daniel and Errol get talking and discuss Patrick. Errol loves Patrick and cares deeply for him, treating him like a son. Daniel lies again, informing Errol that Patrick won’t ever walk again because of the car crash, insinuating that it’s Errol’s fault. After this, Errol confesses to being at the riots and to the looting. Daniel then plays Errol the recording from the hospital, with Patrick talking about Errol and Adelaide fighting.
Why does Errol confess to the murder?
It’s a bit of a stretch, but Errol breaks down at this point. He has been fully manipulated by Daniel and then confesses to the murder. At this point, Errol doesn’t know what to believe. He thinks that he is capable of murder and admits to Adelaide’s killing, even though he doesn’t remember actually committing the act. After the confession, Patrick is sent to a children’s home.
Back in the present, Daniel is seen recounting the entire story to June. This is Daniel’s own confession of sorts. Kim then barges into the room; he accuses June of leaking the recording of the Hayes Lane 999 call. June denies leaking the phone call. It is heavily implied that Sonya was the one who had actually leaked the audio after all. This controversial phone call is sure to put even more heat onto Daniel and the Met.
What did you think of Criminal Record Season 1, Episode 7? Comment below.
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