The Sinner, Episode 8, Finale

(Courtesy of Peter Kramer/USA Network)

After seven knockout episodes, USA Network closes with Episode 8 finale and answers questions to their gripping crime drama, The Sinner, starring Jessica Biel. In the limited miniseries event, audiences are introduced to a murder mystery that doesn’t ask the “who” or the “what” — but the “why.”

After the last entire episode was an entire flashback, young Cora (Raegan.Millican) has now grown up to become an adult age. Adult Phoebe (Nadia Alexander) was celebrating her nineteenth birthday when she died. To cover-up the murder, J.D. (Jacob Pitts) and Frankie Belmont (Eric Todd) drugged Cora after kidnapping her. 

Back in the present, Cora realizes her sentence is coming up. Harry Ambrose (Bill Pullman) works against the clock to find an evidence. Unfortunately, the judge has decided to sentence Cora to serve 30 years in maximum parents. Frankie’s parents watch as Cora screams in court that she was kidnapped and tortured. 

Harry ends up chasing after J.D.’s drug partners at their fake medical clinic. He suddenly finds himself in a quick-draw with J.D.’s associate.Luckily, a police officer fires first and saves Harry. In the interrogation room, Harry learns he stumbled upon a large oxycontin ring.

Cora gets a surprise visit in prison from her mother. After hearing the truth, the mother reveals she lied to the police because she thought Phoebe had runaway. After being blamed by her mother, Cora states she has more freedom in prison than being at home with her.

After finding an important clue, Harry finally finds Maddie (Danielle Burgess), who changed her name and now has a son. She was on the run from J.D. after Cora’s kidnapping. J.D. threatened and apologized to her, because he needed a partner in his oxycontin ring.

Cora’s husband, Mason Tannetti (Christopher Abbott), brings their child to the prison. Mason refuses to give up on her, promising to come with their son. Then, Cora is taken to another location by Harry.

In the bedroom, Cora peels the white layer off and discovers the wallpaper in her memories. The house actually belongs to Frankie’s parents. Frankie’s father buried Phoebe out by the river, drugged Cora until she was hooked on heroin, and dropped her off in the streets.

The mental and physical trauma was too much for Cora. Knowing the whole truth, the judge reverses her sentence and orders Cora to a psychiatric hospital to 2 years, until the doctors determine if she is a danger to herself and other.

Cora hugs and thanks Harry for all that he has done. She’s juts like him; someone traumatized by an event in their childhood. Cora gets a second chance at life as Harry stares at the scars in his fingers.

The Sinner aired its season finale on USA Network.

– By Jorge Solis