The new Apple TV drama Nocturne has been a dark, mysterious ride so far. We are following along as our detectives are trying to find a missing girl. All of it is tied to a dangerous killer, Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham), who has managed to exert influence while in solitary confinement.
In Nocturne episode 4, “The Courier,” sees the undercover work from Saga (Zazie Beetz) paying dividends. She gets a lead on someone who is helping Walter while also finding a way to get closer to him. Let’s dive in.
Courier in the open
As we begin, the hunt for the courier is going strong. Said courier, Karl (Rory Culkin), is having some misgivings. He has heard the stories about Sally Gifford. And he begins to wonder if he’s really helping a monster. But when he expresses concern or doubt to Walter, the cunning prisoner has a way of easing Karl’s fears. Still, Karl’s behavior isn’t subtle, and even from her position on the main floor, Saga is able to spot him.
Saga relays that information to the team, leaving Jonah (Liev Schreiber) and Quinn (Poorna Jagannathan) ready for a sting operation. Jonah has a plan to prod a response from Walter. Despite the objections of the facility warden, Jonah is able to tell Walter he’s being transferred. Such a move would leave him cut off. The idea is it will spur a response.
When Jonah delivers the news, Walter again renews his offer. If Jonah will admit what he did, then Walter will provide information on the missing girl. Jonah refuses, and Walter responds by crafting another note. Only this time, he finds Karl isn’t quite as willing a participant. But Walter appeals to Karl’s empathy, stating that if he’s moved they’ll never find him. So, Karl takes the note and makes his way out of the facility.
In the parking lot, the team has eyes on Karl. They follow him to the drop point and watch him drop the note. Then it’s up to the team to sit in hiding and wait. Soon enough, they spot someone retrieving the note. Jonah takes off ahead of the team into the facility and, before he can catch the target, is knocked out.
When Jonah awakes, he stumbles back toward the door. He finds the FBI team, and they have the note — but not the person charged with retrieving it. Still, the note has something incriminating — but not for Walter. It says, “Jonah planted my DNA.” That leaves the agents to bring Jonah to have a word with Quinn.
Changing cells
While Jonah’s gambit to find the Sandman doesn’t pay off, Saga has a bit more luck. She continues to access the facility and look for weaknesses. In this case, it’s an overzealous staff. So, Saga starts pushing buttons. She gets into fights and pushes back on those charged with bringing her medication.
Finally, with her plan in motion, she is ready to spring the biggest push. She attacks a guard that is meant to bring her medication. She’s able to get the upper hand and use him as a shield to fake an escape. It rouses the suspicion of all the staff, who rally to the area, all while Nathan (Gary Carr) watches on the camera. Saga makes her way through the facility, leading to a showdown with security staff who, eventually, take her back into custody.
She’s taken in and prepared. With all her fights and now injuring a guard while trying to escape, she’s escalated to another level. That level is the basement — where they are currently holding Jurek Walter. His transfer turns out to be fake, leaving him in his cell waiting. Meanwhile, Saga is transported to the basement and placed in a new cell right next to him. She’s now in the perfect space to observe staff and to gain insight from the man himself. But considering what he did to his last neighbor, it’s a dangerous game with a ticking clock.
I’m curious to see how the plan with Saga is going to payoff. She’s moved to an area where it will be harder for her team to observe her. While she might get more information, Walter isn’t someone to play with.
Meanwhile, the pressure is on for Jonah. It’s hard to believe he would cross the line, but there is something about Walter and this case he’s hiding. With Walter’s latest note casting doubt on him, he’ll have some explaining to do.
Nocturne streams Fridays on Apple TV. Check back next week as we recap all the action of the season right here.
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