“Episode #1.4” is episode four of season one of Hard Sun.
In the previous episode, Hicks was approached by the MI5 woman who showed him a recording of Renko talking to some criminals, criminals who apparently had knowledge that Hicks was the one behind the death of his friend, and that Hicks himself was a truly bent copper. However, Renko had already told DCS Bell that what the criminals were saying was fables – even if it wasn’t. So, it looks like Renko is not going to turn Hicks in. He doesn’t know that, as yet, and naturally the MI5 woman wasn’t going to tell him that, even if she knew. Instead, she wants Hicks to find out where Renko has hidden that Hard Sun data. At which point she will remove Renko from Hicks’ life. The man, Tom Blackwood, who was killing those who tried to help has still not been caught – and has murdered a reporter live on television, as he reported from the same spot where Blackwood’s first victim as killed where a memorial had been set up. Tom is claiming to be acting on behalf of the Hard Sun.
Renko is called to the scene, and it’s not just the reporter dead, but the entire news team. Blackwood has also taken the memory cards from the cameras. Hicks is not on the scene; instead, he’s at Renko’s hotel room, or rather the space above it, where she was keeping the evidence of the investigation against Hicks.
The reporter, Will Benedetti, who Renko gave the Hard Sun story too in the second episode, is now being stalked by Blackwood. Blackwood doesn’t kill him, though; he simply takes him captive. Blackwood doesn’t want to kill the reporter; instead he wants Benedetti to ‘give him a voice.’ And leaves Will the memory card of his attack at the memorial for his first victim. Will’s Hard Sun story cost him his job. Blackwood’s story can get him back in the game, even though Will is in hiding himself. Father Dennis, who Blackwood confessed to, will not break the vow of the confessional. Even though it clearly does not make him happy to keep a murderer at large. The police still don’t know who Blackwood is. But Blackwood releases a public message saying that the priest knows who he is and can stop him. This does not make Father Dennis popular.
DCS Bell tells Renko that the deal for Renko’s son is off, because she hasn’t delivered DCI Hicks. Renko says that Hicks is innocent – of the murder of the DI – and Bell gives her an ultimatum – proof of this or he can’t help her son.
Blackwood is continuing to target those who try to help or stop him from hurting others. Counter-terrorism have taken over the case and neither Hicks nor Renko is happy with this idea.
Renko is digging into who actually killed Hicks’ friend, and it seems that she really doesn’t believe that this is something he is guilty of. Even though Hicks is doing absolutely nothing to clear his name. Renko has another potential suspect.