The Vanishing Triangle – Season 1 Episode 6 Recap & Review

Episode 6 

The finale of The Vanishing Triangle begins at the hospital where Lisa is tied to the bed. This is in continuation of the previous episode which ended with Lisa crying over Chris being in handcuffs. His condition is still critical. Chris is in a coma and might not make it back. Lisa goes up to him and recounts how proud she was of him when he didn’t have a job but didn’t stop looking until he found one. He used to take Lisa along with him since her mother would go to work and there would be no one to look after her. She prays that Chris gets healthy again and doesn’t leave her an orphan.

When she is discharged, Lisa heads straight to the Gardai. She meets David and expresses her concerns over the police’s decision to scale back the searches for the missing girls. David is shattered after learning that Tommy has been taken. He has his own battle to fight here and redirects Lisa to Gareth Brennan. When David decides to go to his superior with allegations about Gill, he is reprimanded. Many on the force have found out about his orientation and view it as some sort of deviance.

David is taken to the cell where Tommy is beaten black and blue. He threatens to take the accusations against Gill public, as he carries Tommy in his arms for all of the station to see. He sends Tommy off to someplace safe, unsure if they will meet again. It is an emotional moment for both, who recognize it could be their last one together.

Lisa pens a scathing piece against the Gardai for failing the missing girls. Despite her hesitance about how it will look, Barbara, Lisa’s editor, decides to publish the piece. David wants to set things right with his family. He is fully aware that the news will get out and reach his family, only he wants to tell them first. They deserve as much, for all that they will go through in the aftermath of his revelation.

Mary is distraught when David tells her. He tries to hold her close and apologizes to her profusely. But Mary throws him out of the house, expressing her “disgust” over David’s betrayal.

Rachel also reacts similarly, although she recognizes that this doesn’t change the fact that David is her father. After walking away, she runs to embrace him. At least David can have that happy moment.

Lisa goes to meet Billy Miller on his deathbed. He has nothing to offer her in regard to the missing girls but says something that might change the complexion of Lisa and Chris’ relationship. Billy asks for her forgiveness as he had framed Chris for a murder he didn’t commit. It was actually Billy who was the real culprit but Chris had to pay a big price for it.

Lisa is shattered and goes to the hospital to find out that Chris is having emergency surgery. Outside, she runs into Brennan, who tells her about a tip-off from a farmer in Monk. Although it is not allowed, Lisa insists that she go with him to check it out. David also phones in and sets off for the location after warning Gill at his house that he isn’t afraid of whatever comes his way. Gill’s misgivings will not go unpunished.

Brennan goes in, alone, and Lisa stays out. She jumps into action when she hears Brennan’s cries for help. He explains that he has been shot and the killer has locked him behind a door. 

She tries to break the lock but isn’t successful. Lisa senses the killer over her shoulder and squares up to him. She tries to get away but he knocks her down. However, Lisa isn’t ready to give up and fights back. She momentarily throws him off and makes a run for it upstairs. She hears Mandy’s screams and saves her and Susan. As they’re escaping the farm, they run into David, who hands over the keys to his car. He has already called for backup and the trio is able to leave successfully. However, David finds himself face to face against the killer, who remains masked. 

They have a tussle but the killer comes out on top. He fatally shoots David and then takes his mask off. The killer is revealed to be Gareth Brennan. His motives and modus operandi aren’t described. Gareth injures himself when he hears sirens nearing the farm. He will not be caught and will continue to terrify vulnerable girls.

The series ends on a hearty note, though. Lisa wakes up at the hospital to find both Susan and Mandy perfectly fine. Amy Reynolds couldn’t be found, and it is presumed that Brennan killed her. But the best news for Lisa is that Chris will be alright and with her new knowledge, she might even be able to get his charges dropped. Whatever happens, they have at least rediscovered their love for each other and perhaps can stay together, looking after each other. 

The Episode Review

The finale of The Vanishing Triangle ends without a sense of closure, as did the real-life mystery it is inspired by. We all expected the killer to be caught and to get some explanation for the ruthless crimes. However, this wasn’t a series revolving around him. One can imagine Brennan committing those murders, at least logistically. Being the inside man, he had information about the police’s workings and how to beat the system.

The series didn’t delve deeper into his character, which is a slight disappointment. But Lisa and David’s arcs were respected throughout. That is something we must appreciate the creators for. They stuck to their plans of carving the story around these two figures, while also creating a compelling thematic core.

The local landscape of the 80s in Ireland, when homosexuality was considered a sin and gang culture a familial bond, finds a strong representation. It roots the story well to the time and place.

Many would have wanted David to spend his life as a man free from society’s burden of expectations. But Rachel’s response was heartwarming and perhaps that gave David a lot of relief.

Overall, the finale is in line with what we have been offered in the rest of the season.