The Trial ending explained as Teah's unsettling crime unveiled
The Trial ending explained as Teah's unsettling crime unveiled
Channel 5's The Trial was a one-off legal drama, which saw a new law come into force after a number of high-profile attacks on schools by students, and the ending saw a dramatic twist
Dione and David Sinclair in The Trial
Channel 5's latest offering, 'The Trial', captivated audiences with its intense narrative that unfolded over a single hour-long episode. The drama centred around Dione and David Sinclair, portrayed by Claire Skinner and Ben Miles respectively, who find themselves under intense scrutiny when their daughter Teah (played by India Fowler) is implicated in a grave offence.
Saoirse-Monica Jackson delivers a formidable performance as the tenacious Sarah Willis, who unearths troubling secrets from the Sinclairs' history. Under the stringent Milligan's Law, parents are at risk of being prosecuted as accomplices if they fail to demonstrate that they have provided a stable upbringing for their child.
Set against the backdrop of October 2035, the show presents Teah, an "Earth Warrior" in her mother's words, instructing Sarah to inform her anxious parents: "This is on me". While Dione suspects her daughter's impressionability, David appears to harbour knowledge that Dione might be oblivious to.
The Trial saw Teah admit to a serious crime
David's reluctance to share certain information, coupled with his insistence on Teah's positive attributes as a "caring, confident and loving person", adds to the intrigue. As Sarah delves deeper into the couple's tumultuous history, it comes to light that David, a self-proclaimed "proud socialist", has a record of being arrested thrice for trespassing.
The dynamic between the parents also hints at underlying discord, particularly regarding their political beliefs. Moreover, a poignant moment arises when discussing their initial encounter; Dione hesitates to describe it as love at first sight, revealing potential fractures in their relationship.
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It was revealed that Dione had decided to end their relationship after six months of dating, having previously terminated two pregnancies.
The third pregnancy, which resulted in Teah, was unplanned and Dione had contemplated another termination. However, David was keen on becoming a father.
Dione had confided in Teah about her initial regret over the pregnancy, expressing she had reservations about bringing a child into the world.
With Dione returning to work just a week after giving birth, David assumed the role of Teah's primary caregiver.
Little did they realise then, that their actions would eventually lead Teah to take extreme steps.
The Trial stars Claire Skinner and Ben Miles
What did Teah do in The Trial?
In The Trial, Teah's actions were central to the plot. Her parents had sought the help of a child psychologist, recognising that Teah was different from other children.
From a young age, she would have dreams about the apocalypse and developed an obsession with global warming when she was just five years old.
By the time she was nine, Teah identified as an antinatalist and became a member of the Earth Warriors, with her father accompanying her to some of their demonstrations and protests.
The story took a dark turn when it was revealed that Teah had tried to kill the unborn baby of a woman her father was having an affair with, although she did not succeed.
The woman, who was a mixed martial arts expert and seven months pregnant due to the affair, managed to escape.
During a courtroom confrontation with her parents, Teah argued that she hadn't attempted murder but was trying to "liberate the parasite inside her womb".
"There is a difference," she stated. "One is murder, mine; it was an act of mercy."
She believed that "to bring another child into this broken world, it's beyond wrong".
Teah admitted to attempted child destruction, a crime that carries a life sentence.
Her parents were devastated when Teah expressed her desire to serve her sentence in a punitive coma, choosing to be put into a permanent sleep state. She saw it as a blessing to avoid witnessing the world's demise.
In her holding cell, Teah had written 'So long and thanks for all the fish' - a quote from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
Sarah explained: "It's the dolphin's final message to humanity when they realised the Earth was doomed to destruction."
Sarah Willis is played by Saoirse-Monica Jackson
What happened to Teah's parents in The Trial?
During a search of their home, Sarah discovered a highly specialised mobile device. It was then revealed that David had been operating as a police informant.
David claimed that if he hadn't provided certain information, Teah would have been arrested.
However, David had been under suspicion from the Earth Warriors for over a month. They had asked Teah to keep tabs on her father, and it was Teah's fingerprints found on the device.
Teah tracked her father's movements, leading her to an address in Clapton where it was unveiled that David was having an affair.
Both parents were subsequently charged with severe psychological, emotional, and empathetic neglect of a minor and were held in custody awaiting trial.
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The Trial can be streamed on My5.
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