In the third episode of The Gone's gripping second season, we are thrust 48 hours into the past, where Derry Fallon (Aaron Monaghan) arrives at a cabin seeking answers. Inside, he finds Aileen Ryan (Carolyn Bracken), and though their initial exchange is cut short by gunfire, they soon realize they've both been lured to the cabin and decide to join forces. As they flee to safety, Aileen reveals she was researching the Mountain Murder Case and claims to have received an invitation to the cabin, though she later admits to lying about losing her phone.
The duo faces the challenges of surviving in the wilderness, with Derry expressing his wife's interest in the Mountain Murders and questioning Aileen's own fascination. Aileen's reticence to divulge more than the case's unsolved status leads to a tense moment when Derry steps into a bear trap while attempting to hurry their supplies collection. Aileen's jest about leaving him trapped adds a bitter humor to their dire situation.
They find refuge in a cave for the night, and Aileen returns with supplies, including pain relief for Derry's trap injury. As they share a joint, Aileen presses Derry on what blackmail material he thought she had. In a dramatic flashback, Derry confesses to killing his best friend and brother-in-law, Brian Dalton (Diarmuid Noyes), for snitching on his father. This revelation explains his move to town and sets the stage for the shooting at the end of Episode 2, where Derry is revealed to be the target.
Diana Huia (Acushla-Tara Kupe) chases the shooter while Aileen shows Theo Richter (Richard Flood) her findings from the cabin and claims someone sent Derry to kill her. The shooter evades capture, but Officer Jacobs (Darren Young) picks up the trail, only to find Sinead Martin (Rachel Morgan) and Ginge (Poroaki Merritt-McDonald) on the bike. A fortunate coincidence leads to Joseph Martin (Liam Carney) intervening and eventually reconciling with Sinead, offering them shelter for the night.
Sergeant Bruce Harris (Scott Wills) is forced to retract his statement about the town's chaos being over during a broadcast with Joy Webb-Jones (Jessi Williams). Meanwhile, Richter and Diana continue their interview with Aileen at the hospital, but she offers no new information. Gwenda (Miriama Smith), out of uniform and on personal business, attempts to resolve her feud with Auntie Wiki (Vanessa Rare), revealing the cause of the family conflict and apologizing. Despite this, Wiki refuses to allow Gwenda to move into her grandmother's home.
Richter and Diana use Derry's thumbprint to unlock his phone at the morgue, discovering the message that led him to the cabin. Richter questions Anita (Clare Monnelly) about potential murderers, but she is either without an answer or too afraid to speak. The situation is further complicated when Anita becomes distraught over the sacred ritual performed on Derry's body by Buster Huia (Wayne Hapi) and others.
Ginge opens up to Sinead about his guilt over Jarred's (Flynn Mehlhopt) death, which resulted from an overdose after an argument. Sinead tries to console him, but Ginge remains burdened by remorse. Aileen is released from the hospital but is eager to leave Richter's place, leading to a heated argument when Richter confesses his love for her and interrogates her about her time in the woods. Aileen insists that Richter must face his medical diagnosis, and she will not be his distraction. This prompts Richter to return to the hospital to discuss his condition with Doctor Ray Morris (Edwin Wright).
The police uncover a shocking twist: the text to Derry was sent from a burner phone purchased 17 years ago, belonging to Emma Wilson (Dea Doglione), the Mountain Murderer's first victim. Further evidence tampering is discovered when they return to the cabin with Aileen, as a dragon necklace is missing from a goat corpse. The necklace is revealed to be connected to Diana's mother, Christine Huia (Bronwyn Turei).
The episode concludes with authorities tracking a signal from the burner phone to Christine's gravesite, where both the phone and necklace appear to have been deliberately placed. Additionally, Sinead discovers a hidden camera in the room she shared with Ginge, adding another layer of intrigue to the already complex case.
This episode of The Gone weaves a intricate narrative that delves deeper into the past, revealing long-held secrets and connecting the present-day mystery to a series of historical crimes. The characters are forced to confront their demons, both literal and metaphorical, as the line between friend and foe becomes increasingly blurred.