Episode 4 of The Staircase also allows us to see familiar faces in the trial as well. There is also an interview of Michael’s new partner in 2017 when the case saw more action and Michael was released from jail upon entering Alford’s plea (basically, that you are not guilty but confessing guilt based on the evidence against you). The next big event is then lined up: the exhuming of Liz Ratliff. Both are central focuses of the media and press. ..
Liz’s autopsy results show that she was killed with a blunt object, and there was no brain aneurysm. Martha and Margaret’s nanny from Germany, Agnes, is called as a witness to testify.
Clayton’s flashbacks show that he was in a troubled state of mind and had a fight with Kathleen about his behavior. His testimony suggests Mike was abusive towards Martha in her childhood due to his strict disciplinarian tendency. ..
Sophie’s – Mike’s current partner – interview in the present continues in the backdrop of the flashbacks of the trial. The conversations revolve around the meaning of justice, objectivity, and the recent developments in the case. The house is prepared for a visit by the jury members to inspect.
Clayton, who had been absent from the case for weeks, returns to the courtroom unannounced and finds a key piece of evidence - the blow poke. This leads to the Defense feeling that they have turned the tide in their favor, but they are unsure about putting Clayton on the stand as a witness. The Prosecution will have many opportunities to attack his character and credibility using his past checkered history. ..
After the discovery of the blow poke, tension in the Peterson household has increased. Mike decides to go on the stand, despite Rudolf’s pleas, but we do not see the same level of conflict between him and his siblings.
The closing arguments bring the trial to a close, and to our surprise, we even have the verdict in the same episode. The Jury finds Mike guilty of murdering Kathleen and he is sentenced to life imprisonment. Like a couple of episodes ago, another reimagined sequence from that night is created – this time, the one where Mike kills Kathleen when she finds out and confronts him about the photos and emails, as the Prosecution says. ..
The episode ends with Sophie cutting the documentary in its final shape. It is also revealed that she knows both the documentarians and seems connected to them. They watch the final cut of the original documentary in their home country of France. ..
The Episode Review
The episode aired on September 26th, and it was reported that Campos had been removed from the case due to his personal relationship with the victim. However, in a recent interview with Univision, Campos said that he had been fired from the case and that he only met the victim once. This discrepancy has raised some eyebrows among legal observers. The episode aired on September 26th, and it was reported that Campos had been removed from the case due to his personal relationship with the victim. However, in a recent interview with Univision, Campos said that he had been fired from the case and that he only met the victim once. This discrepancy has raised some eyebrows among legal observers. ..
This is a criminal case that has the potential to change the way we think about law. The defendants are accused of a serious crime – conspiracy to commit murder – and they face a long prison sentence if convicted. If you’re considering whether or not to take legal courses, I urge you to consider this case.
In the background of the events, Sophie’s narration provides a chilling thrust to the idea that deep-rooted prejudiced opinions can determine a man’s life. This episode cements the intention of the creators to make it about a bigger, more sinister issue lingering in and haunting probable victims.
The Prosecution’s perspective in the episode is that they believe that the people who were responsible for the tragedy should be punished.
After the highly publicized and controversial case of Dr. Peterson, “The Staircase” has now shifted its focus to the personal lives of its characters. ..
The alluring draw of murder, evidence, and witness testimony has quickly evaporated to give way to the more tangible and real substance of human emotions and values. It might be a negative for the show. The execution in the upcoming episodes will tell whether or not this turns out to be true.
