David E. Kelley’s legal thriller Presumed Innocent launched on Apple TV Plus with a two-episode premiere on June 11, and the viewers want to know what happened at the end of episode 2. The series is an adaptation of Scott Turow’s namesake debut novel. Previously, the book was adapted into a 1990 film starring Harrison Ford. The plot of the Apple series revolves around Prosecutor Rusty Sabich (Jake Gyllenhaal), who discovers that Carolyn Polhemus (Renate Reinsve), his colleague and secret lover, has been murdered. In episode 2, Rusty finds himself in the crosshairs of the investigation into Carolyn’s death. Certain truths about their relationship come to light, making everyone around Rusty question how far his lies extend. Here is the spoilers-filled recap and ending explanation of Presumed Innocent Episode 2 you are looking for.
What happened at the end of Presumed Innocent Episode 2?
Episode 2 ends with Rusty receiving a message from an unknown number, informing him that the sender saw him at Carolyn’s home, presumably around the time she was killed.
In episode 2, it is revealed that Carolyn was pregnant at the time of her death. DNA tests later confirm that the child was Rusty’s. Because of his relationship with Carolyn, Rusty quickly emerges as the main suspect in the case.
As Rusty deals with his family’s disappointment and the prospects of his inevitable arrest, he becomes desperate. He first returns to prison to speak to Liam Reynolds (Mark Harelik), the man whom he and Carolyn successfully prosecuted in a murder case years ago. That case is strikingly similar to what happened to Carolyn. However, like before, Reynolds refuses to help him and even appears extremely pleased when he learns about Rusty’s predicament.
Right before his arrest, Rusty also speaks to Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp) and pleads to his mentor to represent him in the court. Although Raymond initially declines, he nonetheless shows up at the court to defend Rusty. The latter pleads not guilty and is granted a $1.5 million bail. After he returns home, Rusty gets the above-mentioned message.
Is Rusty innocent in Presumed Innocent?
Rusty is likely innocent in Presumed Innocent.
At the end of episode 2, Rusty doesn’t appear to be particularly reliable as the perspective character in the series. We learn that he had hidden certain truths about his and Carolyn’s relationship from his wife and therapist. Further, he also admits that he was obsessed with Carolyn. Perhaps, he killed Carolyn because she was determined to end their relationship. Alternatively, Rusty could have killed Carolyn after he had learned about her pregnancy and realized the threat it posed to his family.
However, both the book and the cinematic adaptation end with revealing someone else as the murderer. Although we are not sure whether the show will take the same route, the chances of Rusty emerging as the culprit in Presumed Innocent do lessen because of that.
