Memory of a Killer Season 1 Episode 4 Recap: The Ferryman Gets Personal
- Je-Ree
- 18 hours ago
- 4 min read
We are only four weeks into Fox’s new hit thriller and things are already ramping up to a breakneck pace. If you thought Angelo Flannery (Patrick Dempsey) was going to spend the season slowly wandering through a foggy memory of suburban domesticity, episode 4, "Unhappy Ending," just served as a violent wake-up call. Between the Alzheimer’s-induced gaps and a mysterious boogeyman stalking his family, Angelo is spinning plates that are starting to crack.
The Ferryman and the Count of Three
The episode kicks off with Angelo inching closer to the elusive "Ferryman." He pulls a classic hitman bait-and-switch, tricking a henchman named Leo into a meeting with the apprentice bullet maker. Side note: Is it just us, or did Leo look suspiciously like John Bregar (aka Dylan Michalchuk from Degrassi: The Next Generation)? Whether it was a Canadian teen drama cameo or just a striking resemblance, Leo didn’t last long enough for a reunion.
Angelo tries to squeeze Leo for Intel, but all he gets are more tall tales about the Ferryman being some kind of untouchable boogeyman. When Angelo gives him to the count of three to talk, Leo decides he’d rather take a bullet than betray his boss. Angelo, being the stone-cold killer we occasionally forget he is between scenes of him being a "girl dad," grants that last request without blinking.
A Side Quest with Surveillance Photos
After the messy business with Leo, it’s back to the "day job" with Joe. Dutch (Michael Imperioli) has the duo tracking a female arms dealer with a penchant for selling to the world’s worst people. The plan is set but then Angelo’s phone, specifically Leo’s burner pings with a text for the next meet.
Never one to miss a lead, Angelo ditches Joe with a flimsy excuse and heads to the meet. It’s a warehouse full of goons loading illegal firearms, light work for a man of Angelo’s talents. He clears the room with zero issues but the last man standing leaves him with a parting gift: for the Ferryman this isn't just business; it’s personal. Angelo discovers surveillance photos of his entire family, proving he isn't the only one doing the stalking.
The Nicky Situation and Maria’s Meddling
Meanwhile, the domestic drama is just as tense. Angelo and Nicky (Michaela McManus) are still very much a thing, but Nicky isn't a fool. She lays it out flat: she knows he’s hiding something, likely a secret family. Angelo tells her a "half-truth" the currency of all doomed TV relationships and they agree to keep seeing each other. It’s a ticking time bomb and we’re just waiting for the explosion.
Then there’s Maria. Is it just me, or is she getting a little too "brave" for her own good? Instead of staying in the house, she uses her connection with Dave to insert herself into the investigation. She leads the authorities right to the spot where Angelo killed the hitman. She’s essentially setting up her own father to take the fall while claiming she "isn't running" from the danger.
The Memory Slip and The FBI’s Arrival
The most heartbreaking moment of the episode comes after a confrontation with Jeff and Maria. Jeff is desperately trying to keep his family safe and Maria is not having any of it. Angelo agress with Jeff but they get no where trying to convince Maria. Angelo apologizes to Jeff for not setting up the baby's crib, only for Jeff to gently remind him that he already did it. This hit home. It prompts Angelo to finally look into the memory loss therapy his brother’s doctor recommended, though he’s still keeping the diagnosis a secret from everyone.
He manages to finish the job with the arms dealer with Joe using a clever "cat laser" trick to make the arms dealers think they were surrounded by a whole squad, but the victory is short-lived. Back at the warehouse where he took out the Ferryman’s men, the FBI is closing in. Angelo staged the scene, but Agent Linda Grant (Gina Torres) is way too sharp for these amateur theatrics.
Later, Angelo calls one of the numbers in Leo's phone and Nicky answers. What does that mean?
The TV Cave Verdict: Is Dutch the Ferryman?
Angelo is getting a little too cocky for comfort and the Ferryman is clearly playing a longer game. My current theory? Dutch is the Ferryman. He’s too close to the operation, knows Angelo’s every move and has the resources to pull it off.
"Unhappy Ending" was a masterclass in building tension. As the FBI circles and Angelo’s memory continues to betray him, the suburban hitman is running out of places to hide.
For more recaps and theories, stay tuned to The TV Cave. Who do you think the Ferryman is? Drop your theories in the comments!
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