ITV’s Ridley is back on our screens this evening, and fans are being promised the most personal episode of the series so far. After two episodes filled with layered mysteries and clever twists, episode three takes a darker turn as DI Carol Farman’s teenage son Jack (Tareq Al-Jeddal) becomes entangled in a brutal murder case — dragging his mother and Detective Inspector Alex Ridley into an investigation that threatens to tear families apart.

A Death at the Rave

The episode opens with the shocking death of a local property developer, his body discovered in the aftermath of a rave. What looks at first like a tragic accident quickly spirals into something far more sinister. Ridley and Carol find themselves navigating a web of drugs, cover-ups, and shady dealings. To complicate matters, the case even draws in a social media influencer whose carefully curated online persona may conceal dangerous secrets.

But the biggest shock comes when Jack, Carol’s teenage son, is revealed to have been present at the rave on the very night of the murder. Suddenly, the investigation is no longer just about justice — it’s about family.

Jack’s Story So Far

To understand the weight of this storyline, it helps to revisit Jack’s troubled history. Jack is the son of DI Carol Farman and her wife, Geri. In Season 2, he was written as a classic teenage rebel — moody, angry, and increasingly out of control. He gravitated towards the wrong crowd, tested every boundary, and pushed his parents to breaking point.

Part of his rebellion stemmed from resentment over the arrival of his baby sister. In one of the season’s most explosive moments, Jack stormed out of the house to be with friends, leaving the infant unattended. His actions devastated Carol and Geri and set the stage for a season-long battle over trust, responsibility, and forgiveness.

The Shadow of the Past

Though the characters in Ridley have only moved forward by a year since those events, viewers have had to wait three long years between seasons. For many, the details of Jack’s struggles had faded. Episode three serves as a sharp reminder of that painful history.

Throughout the new episode, Carol and Ridley frequently reference “what Jack went through last year,” as if the wounds are still fresh. For Jack, the scars of his rebellious phase remain raw, shaping his choices and pushing him further into dangerous territory. For Carol, the tension is almost unbearable — torn between her role as a mother desperate to protect her son and her duty as a police officer seeking justice.

Jack at the Centre of the Storm

The revelation that Jack was at the rave is a turning point. Not only does it place him near the crime scene, but it also raises questions about the mysterious new friend he has been hanging around with all season. That friend, shrouded in secrecy, becomes a crucial piece of the puzzle, hinting that Jack’s troubles are far from over.

As the investigation deepens, Carol’s worst fears are realized: Jack is more involved in the case than she ever imagined. While the details of his role are kept under wraps until the episode airs, ITV has teased that Jack’s connection to the murder will force Carol into impossible decisions.

The Emotional Core

What makes this episode so compelling is its emotional depth. Unlike previous cases, which were gripping but distant, this one cuts close to home. Ridley, who has faced his own demons throughout the series, becomes a stabilizing force for Carol as she struggles to balance her duty as a detective with her instincts as a mother.

The chemistry between Adrian Dunbar (Ridley) and Bronagh Waugh (Carol) shines here. Their partnership, often understated, takes centre stage as they wrestle with professional responsibilities colliding with personal heartbreak.

A Season of High Stakes

Season 2 of Ridley has been steadily building tension, with Jack’s storyline simmering in the background of the first two episodes. Tonight’s instalment promises to pay off that slow burn, delivering both shocking revelations and emotional confrontations.

For longtime fans, the return of Jack’s troubles may feel like déjà vu — but in truth, the show has cleverly layered his past mistakes into a present-day crisis. It’s a reminder that choices have consequences, and sometimes the hardest mysteries to solve are those closest to home.

What’s Next for Jack and Carol?

As episode three unfolds, audiences will be left questioning Jack’s innocence, his loyalty, and whether he can break free from the cycle of rebellion and bad influences. For Carol, the journey is even more harrowing. Every parent fears their child making mistakes, but few have to investigate them as part of a potential murder case.

By the final scenes, nothing will be the same for the Farman family — or for Ridley, whose empathy and persistence may be the only hope of finding truth in a case clouded by lies.

Final Verdict

With its mix of murder mystery, family drama, and high-stakes tension, episode three cements Ridley as one of ITV’s most emotionally charged crime dramas. It’s not just about catching a killer; it’s about the ripple effects of choices, the bonds of family, and the painful reality that sometimes the people you love most are caught up in the darkest of places.

Prepare to be shaken: tonight’s episode isn’t just another case. It’s a turning point.