Memory of a Killer season 1 reaches a critical point in episode 4, “Unhappy Ending,” as Angelo Flannery (Patrick Dempsey) confronts threats to both his family and his hidden life as a contract killer. The episode centers on Angelo tracking Leo, a man connected to the Ferryman, to uncover the mastermind behind the attacks on his family.
During the confrontation, Angelo interrogates Leo and discovers surveillance photos of his family, confirming the Ferryman’s personal interest. He kills Leo when no answers are provided. Despite this, the episode makes clear that Angelo does not fully uncover the Ferryman’s identity or motives. The Ferryman remains a looming, unresolved threat by the episode’s conclusion.
Memory of a Killer season 1 episode 4 recap: Did Angelo get closer to the Ferryman?
In Memory of a Killer season 1 episode 4, Angelo arranges a trap for Leo – to get information about the Ferryman. He gets Leo to a meeting he’s organized, with the plan to make him give up who the Ferryman is. Leo won’t, though; he will not hand over his boss to anyone. He talks about the Ferryman as if he were someone who couldn’t be touched.
Angelo then warns Leo and gives him a three-second chance to speak. And, as you’d expect, Angelo does what he threatens and kills Leo because he doesn’t talk. This makes clear how exact Angelo is and that he will make people pay. Despite Leo being dead, Angelo learns nothing useful.
It’s still unknown who the Ferryman is or what he’s up to, which means the threat is still there and Angelo’s family is still in trouble. After Leo is killed, Angelo finds more proof at a warehouse connected to the Ferryman’s work; pictures from cameras show Angelo’s family being spied on, so the Ferryman is definitely aiming at them. This makes it even more important that Angelo succeeds.
Is Nicky involved with the Ferryman?
A major thing in Memory of a Killer season 1 episode 4 is Nicky; Angelo had a relationship with her; however, her connection to Leo makes you wonder. Angelo uses Leo’s phone to make a call at the episode’s conclusion, and Nicky picks up – which may mean she’s linked to Leo, although we don’t know if this is on purpose or by chance.
It isn’t clear what she is – maybe a helper, someone being used, or made to work for the Ferryman. Angelo needs to look after his family and deal with his Alzheimer’s and the continuing danger, and Nicky being involved really shows how little anyone can be relied upon in this show.
How do family risks shape Angelo’s decisions?
In the fourth episode, Angelo’s daughter – Maria – creates worry; without meaning to, what she does endangers him. She investigates the things that relate to the try at her murder, and she talks with Detective Dave. Though she is trying to be safe, her doing this might show the police Angelo.
Memory of a Killer season 1 episode 4 shows how hard it is when people in a family don’t know everything. Angelo needs to keep his secret job as someone who murders on order hidden, and he has to look after the people he cares about.
Because of Alzheimer’s, his life is even more difficult: his not remembering things makes it harder for him to make plans and to choose what to do. And, as he goes against people who work for the Ferryman, his memory problems make the danger greater.
What Angelo learns about the Ferryman and his family’s danger
The last scenes of Memory of a Killer season 1 episode 4 fail to sort things out. Angelo does kill Leo – though doesn’t find out a lot about the Ferryman as a result – and finds out his family is being watched, which shows they are in danger. What Nicky is up to isn’t obvious, and what Maria does makes the danger worse for everyone. Angelo’s Alzheimer’s makes it harder for him to make plans and think clearly.
The episode finishes with the Ferryman still free, and what he wants is still a mystery. “Unhappy Ending” is about memory, family, and how dangerous things are. Angelo doing what he does builds up the tension but doesn’t give any solutions.
The way the family gets on with each other and Nicky being involved makes everything more difficult. We still have no idea who the Ferryman is. Angelo seems good at things but isn’t safe and is dealing with a lot of issues at once.
Viewers can watch Memory of a Killer season 1 on Fox and streaming platforms where the series is available.
Edited by Bea Melisse Ibañez
