Dept. Q Finale Reveals Merritt Survived and Who Shot Morck

Warning: this article contains spoilers for Dept. Q.

The crime drama series by Netflix titled Dept. Q delves into the intriguing unsolved mystery of Merritt Lingard, whose disappearance is gradually unraveled by a team of Edinburgh detectives. Matthew Goode headlines the show as Carl Morck, a detective known for his lack of emotion, who is recovering from a gunshot wound that left his partner paralyzed and led to the death of the responding officer. Consequently, Morck is tasked with cold cases, eventually taking on the case of Merritt Lingard, a lawyer who vanished four years prior.

The show, titled “Dept. Q,” is a captivating contribution to Netflix’s crime television series collection, keeping viewers enthralled since the very first episode. Detectives Morck, Akram, and Rose gradually expose inconsistencies in the Merritt case, causing them to suspect that someone within the system might have played a role in her disappearance. It comes as no surprise that this series has gained immense popularity on Netflix, with fans eagerly anticipating a second season. Although there have been no official announcements as such, Morck’s resolution of Merritt’s case and his team’s joyous conclusion serve as a satisfying finish to the first season.

Why Merritt Was Kidnapped By The Jennings Family (& How She Survived)

The Mother And Son Were From Merritt’s Past in Mhor

Viewers learn in episode 1 of Dept. Q that Merritt Lingard is indeed alive and has been held captive in a hyperbaric chamber for the past four years. However, it takes the show’s investigators some time to figure this out. As Morck and his team delve into the inconsistencies surrounding her disappearance, Merritt is repeatedly questioned by her captor about why she deserved such punishment. The lawyer recalls instances in the past where she helped convict others, but failed to help when they needed it; however, these memories are not entirely truthful.

In the last episode, she finally understands that her captors, Ailsa and Lyle Jennings, are none other than the mother and brother of a high school boyfriend who tragically died after falling off a ferry while trying to flee from their island home. Harry Jennings, the brother, was charged with severely beating Merritt’s brother William and robbing their house. However, it was later revealed that Lyle was actually the one who attacked William, but Harry took the blame for it. The Jennings family held Merritt responsible for her brother’s death.

It’s quite evident that Ailsa and Lyle Jennings were severely mentally impaired, failing to comprehend Merritt’s innocence regarding the incident with Harry. The unfortunate event was actually a tragic accident caused by Lyle’s actions, not Merritt’s doing. In the end, she discovers her kidnappers’ identities just before Morck and Akram rescue her. This revelation helps her understand that she was not to blame for her kidnapping, freeing her from feelings of guilt about Harry or surviving in the hyperbaric chamber.

Sam Haig Was Lyle Jennings All Along – Why He Stole The Identity

Or Rather, There Were Two Different Sams

In the series known as Department Q, there are numerous unexpected events that leave viewers pondering the real culprit behind Merritt’s disappearance. One of the most intricate mysteries revolves around the identity of Sam Haig. Characters like Morck, Akram, and Rose dedicate a significant amount of time to understanding the nature of Merritt and Sam’s relationship and uncovering Sam’s true self beyond his job as a reporter. However, they seem to overlook the possibility that they might all be discussing the same man.

In the end, it becomes clear to the investigators that the information gathered from Sam Haig’s friends at the rock climbing center, combined with their understanding of his relationship with Merritt, suggests an impossible scenario – that Sam Haig was in two places simultaneously. As their investigation unfolds and Lyle Jennings experiences flashbacks, it is revealed in Dept. Q that Sam and Lyle had a past connection from their time in a corrections facility as teenagers. However, it turns out that Lyle murdered Sam after they rekindled their relationship, then assumed his identity to gain access to Merritt.

Was Merritt’s Boss Connected To Covering Up A Crime?

DCI Morck Learns That Stephen Burns Had His Own Secret

Morck and his investigators examined all potential suspects regarding Merritt’s disappearance, even her colleagues at the Crown Office. Upon discovering that Merritt had been romantically involved with one of these coworkers, they questioned him, uncovering further suspicions within the department. Simultaneously, it was noted that Sam Haig was investigating Merritt’s superior, Stephen Burns, and his potential connection to the defendant in the trial that Merritt had been prosecuting prior to her disappearance. It turned out that Burns was not involved in Merritt’s kidnapping, but rather, he harbored a significant secret that needed concealing.

As Merritt mysteriously vanished, she was delving into the Finch case, where a man stood accused of murdering his wife after asserting she had fallen down the stairs. Despite this, Finch was acquitted, but there were underlying aspects to the situation. He had connections with other criminals who had menaced Burns’ child and assaulted a possible witness. To safeguard her daughter from harm, Burns consented to the silencing of the witness and allowed Finch to escape justice. However, Morck uncovers this truth eventually and uses it as ammunition to request additional resources and a Detective Inspector rank for Akram.

Who Really Shot Morck?

Morck Had His Own Theories

At the conclusion of Dept. Q‘s first season, Morck and his colleagues manage to crack Merritt’s case, yet the investigators working on Morck’s own shooting incident face more obstacles. One of the main story arcs in this series revolves around the consequences of Morck and his partner Hardy being shot. This is reflected not only in the open-ended nature of the shooting case but also in their personal struggles, as Hardy undergoes an intense rehabilitation process and Morck reluctantly attends therapy sessions. While they make strides during the season, unfortunately, their shooting case remains unresolved at the end.

In Morck’s ongoing case, his team seems to overlook crucial details, necessitating him to take a more active role than might be expected. By the close of Dept. Q‘s first season, they haven’t yet uncovered the shooter’s identity, but Morck proposes a theory that multiple individuals could have been involved. A responding officer feigned a welfare check call and was essentially baiting other officers to arrive, only to be ambushed inside by someone with malicious intentions. This incident suggests that some police officers may have ties within the criminal underworld.

How Dept. Q’s Ending Sets Up Season 2

Morck Is Clearly Ready To Pick A New Cold Case With His Team

Typically, the Department Q storyline concludes on an optimistic note as Morck and his colleagues successfully resolve Merritt’s case and rescue her. This resolution seems to be improving Morck’s outlook and fostering a better bond between him and his stepson. Hardy manages to walk with crutches and makes his first appearance at the office on the cold case team. The series, however, provides ample opportunities for future seasons by maintaining an abundance of unsolved cases that the characters can continue to investigate.

Together with the Department Q squad facing a multitude of cases and enjoying improved standing, there are still unresolved queries from season 1 that warrant attention. The most intriguing mystery for season 2 might revolve around the identity of the person who gunned down Hardy and Morck, as well as the motive behind the act. Given the apparent corruption within the police department and the judicial system, it’s possible that these events are more interconnected than viewers suspect. Additionally, delving deeper into Morck’s evolving relationships with those around him could offer a richer portrayal of his character, adding complexity to Department Q’s narrative.

2025-06-06 23:20