Under Salt Marsh (2026) s01e06 Episode Script

1
The following programme contains
strong language, violence,
and adult themes from the start.
'I can't put it in the past,
I'm in the past!
She was so little'
Come on, Jackie, outside.
- I didn't kill her.
- You found her, and you buried her!
(THUD)
You cannot handle it
when it gets personal.
Figure yourself out.
'We're at a vital stage
of the investigation.'
GARETH: 'The storm doesn't care
about you or your investigation.'
(BULL GRUNTS)
We are completely cut off
from the rest of the world.
He told us to stay away or else the
Black Sow would try and drown us.
- Who?
- Dylan.
Where is he, Cara?
Jackie, come on, come on.
Where is he?
(TENSE MUSIC)
It's James. He's gone.
I can't find him.
BULL: 'We need to focus
on finding that other waste site.
It's in the wall.
It's in the fucking wall!'
VICTOR: From Sunnyside.
Deliveries for the sea wall.
DENG: 'Dylan Rees signed them in.'
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
Is James here?
Jackie. Is James here?
- No.
- Well, he's missing.
- What?
- He went from the muster point.
(BREATHES HEAVILY)
- Why are you looking at me like that?
- Why are you wearing that?
Why are you wearing a hazmat suit?
Um um, we have to find James.
- Where have you been?
- I haven't been anywhere.
Don't lie to me. I know about
your hair on Cefin's body!
Do you think I had
something to do with Cefin?
I don't know what I think.
You're not telling me anything.
No. Don't do this again, Jackie, right?
I'm innocent.
Like Lydia was innocent.
- Don't let yourself go there.
- Then tell me.
I am. I'm telling you,
I'm trying to explain what is
what is happening here.
But you're not explaining anything.
I've been clearing stuff up, OK?
Keeping it away from the floodwater.
What "stuff", Dylan,
requires a hazmat suit?
For fuck's sake, I don't have time
for this, right? James is missing.
We have to find him.
Why didn't you tell me about the hair?
Because you wouldn't have believed
me. You don't trust me, Jackie.
You've made that very clear.
Cefin drowned in toxic water, Dylan.
And Nessa, she drew a man in
a hazmat suit days before she died.
And you think it was me?
Fuck you.
I'm going to find James.
(DOOR SLAMS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(CAR ENGINE STARTS, REVS)
Dylan!
(ENGINE STARTS, REVS)
BEADIE: Mosaic (Under Salt Marsh Mix) ♪
(VOCALISTS SINGING IN WELSH)
(WAVES CRASHING)
- DANNY: James!
- OTHERS: James!
(OTHERS CONTINUE CALLING OUT)
(WIND HOWLS)
- James!
- OTHERS: James!
(BRANCHES CRASHES)
Hey! Take care!
(SCREAMS) James!
(SOBS)
He wouldn't have gone far,
he just wouldn't.
Cara, go shelter at the farm. We'll
keep searching, widen the area.
Yeah, Kieran, let's go.
(SOBBING) No, I I can't leave.
Is there anywhere else
you think he could be?
(SOBBING) I don't know.
He's just a scared little boy.
He's just
(WIND WHISTLES)
(RAIN LASHING DOWN)
(OTHERS CALLING OUT)
(WAVES CRASHING)
Deng? I think the waste site
is at Sunnyside.
(STATIC)
OVER PHONE: Sunnyside?
Where are you?
Could Cefin have died there?
Maybe. I'm on my way.
Right. Bull, James Rees
(STATIC)
(LINE BEEPS)
Fuck.
(RAIN PATTERING, WIND WHISTLES)
(DOOR HANDLE CLUNKS)
(STORM CRASHES)
(THUDDING)
(DOOR CLANGS)
(WATER DRIPPING)
(METALLIC CREAKING)
(SQUEAKING)
(WATER DRIPPING)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(STIFLES A COUGH)
(COUGHS)
(GAGS)
(COUGHS)
(THUDDING AND GRUNTING IN DISTANCE)
(METALLIC CREAKING IN DISTANCE)
(SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC)
(SLOSHING SOUNDS)
(GASPS)
(WATER SLOSHING)
(WATER BUBBLING)
(SNIFFS)
(CLANGING)
(INDISTINCT VOICE IN DISTANCE)
(RAIN LASHING DOWN)
(STORM CRASHES)
DYLAN: James!
James!
James!
Oh, my God
James?!
James!
James?! James?
(PANTING)
Oh, my God!
(ELECTRICAL ZAPPING)
(ENGINE FAILS TO START)
Dylan!
Jackie, get back in the car!
We have to get out of here!
- I'm not moving.
- Jackie, we have to leave.
We've gotta get uphill.
I'm not going anywhere until you
tell me why you're wearing that suit.
(STORM CRASHES)
James is missing.
This is fucking crazy.
I need to find him!
Tell me.
(PANTING)
(MUTTERS)
We We recycle waste. Hazardous waste.
What? At Sunnyside?
Yes! We crush it and put it
into concrete for the sea wall.
- You what?
- It's It's for Morfa!
Jackie, just get back in the car.
Please, I'm begging you.
I'll tell you everything
you want to know.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
That's why you told Cefin and James
about the Black Sow. To scare them?
Right? To scare them
from going to Sunnyside?
But that's exactly why he went.
He went to go and look for it.
Cefin went to Sunnyside?
Were you there?
Huh?
No, Jackie, no, it's me, right?
It's me! Look at me.
I'm telling you the truth, I swear.
I had nothing to do with it.
Then why didn't you tell me
about the hair?
Because you don't trust me.
I know.
I know.
You're pregnant.
(GASPS)
- I've known for months.
- What?
And I've been waiting
for you to tell me.
But you didn't. You never did.
You don't give a fuck about me, do you?
- What?
- I'm just another way to waste your time.
Dylan, my time with you
is the only good thing I have.
But listen to me.
Who else could have worn a suit
like that with your hair on it?
(WIND WHISTLING)
Tell me.
It's Mac.
Mac?
No-one else deals with the waste.
It's just me and Mac.
(GASPS SOFTLY)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(CLANG, INDISTINCT VOICE)
(WATER SLOSHING)
(METALLIC CLANG)
(CRIES OUT)
(BOTH GRUNTING)
Aargh!
(STRAINING)
(CHOKING)
(GRUNTS)
(CRIES OUT)
No!
(DOOR CLANGS)
Mac!
Mac Jones, open the door!
(PANTING)
(BANGING) Open the door!
(WATER SPLASHING)
(MUFFLED SHOUT)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
Shit.
(WATER RIPPLING)
(RAIN PATTERING, WIND WHISTLING)
His car's not here!
I'll check around the back.
NISHA:
Mummy's gonna buy you a ♪
Shh, shhh, shhh!
Is Mac here?
(BABY GRIZZLES)
Shh, shhh!
Nisha, why aren't you
at the muster point?
- Mac thought it would be safer here.
- Where is he? Where's Mac?
Sunnyside. Why?
(DOOR CLOSES)
Dylan?
What's happened? Is it the flooding?
I need to ask you something, Nisha.
And I need you to answer me
as honestly as you possibly can.
What's happened?
The day Cefin died.
Did you notice anything
unusual about Mac?
What? Don't do this to us, Jackie.
- I have to.
- No.
You're driving yourself
crazy with all of this.
Just hear me out.
Was Mac himself that day? Was he?
I think it's best if you leave.
Both of you.
We've been burying waste.
In the sea wall. Toxic waste.
What are you talking about?
Cefin, he was at
Sunnyside that afternoon.
And he died in that waste.
- Nish
- No.
I know this is hard
But I have reason to believe
that Mac was there when it happened.
You've got no idea
what you're talking about.
Just go. Please.
- You have to remember something.
- No.
There doesn't have to be anything.
Jackie, you're wrong.
I can't be wrong.
Please will you think about that day.
Think! I am begging you.
(BREATHES SHAKILY)
(RAIN LASHING DOWN)
TOWNSFOLK: James! James!
(THEY CONTINUE CALLING OUT)
James!
(WAVES CRASHING)
Come on Fuck!
(THUD FROM UPPER LEVEL)
(KNOCKS) Hello?
You can't leave me down here!
(BUBBLING)
(CLANGING)
(CLANGING CONTINUES)
(CLANGING)
(TORCH CLICKS ON)
(FOOTSTEPS)
BULL: Anybody there?!
(GASPS)
Dylan?! Is that you, Dylan?
It's me, James.
James! (BANGING)
James, is that you? Can you hear me?
Dylan?
Can you hear me, mate?
I am stuck in this room.
I need your help.
It's Eric Bull.
Can you hear me, mate?
I need you to help me, mate.
Listen, James,
I need you to try and find me.
I tell you what, mate.
I'm just gonna keep talking. Alright?
I'm gonna keep talking
and if you can hear me
I want you to keep
following my voice, OK?
I'm gonna need you
to be quick, though. James?
(GASPS)
D'you know? My best friend
was called James when I was young.
He was called James Cook.
He was me best friend in the world.
I loved him.
I really loved him.
And he died as well.
He was only 14. We both were.
We were kids.
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
No, no, no
(TAPPING)
(GRUNTS)
James, can you hear me?
Me and James used to love
going into buildings like this.
Oh!
(WHIRRING)
But, you see, where we grew up
it wasn't like here.
It wasn't like Morfa.
It was dangerous, you see.
And he got himself
into a really dangerous situation.
And I was too scared
to help him, you see.
So I know how that feels.
And I know how you must feel about Cefin.
You know, I think about him every day.
Every day of me life.
And d'you know why?
Because he was a star.
He was a superstar.
Cefin was a superstar too.
Listen. OK. I'm by the door now.
So what I need you to do
(CRIES OUT)
- You OK? Are you OK?
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- You sure?
Yeah.
Listen, you should never have
come here, it's too dangerous.
I had to come. Cefin was here.
- I wanted to prove it.
- I know he was, mate.
- I wanted to help.
- You did. You did help.
Come on, then. Come on.
Let's try and get you out of here.
(DOOR CLOSES, FOOTSTEPS ON STAIRS)
What are you doing here, Jack?
(GRUNTS)
- D'you want a drink?
- They're just leaving.
I'm not leaving.
- Where have you been, Mac?
- What's going on?
(DRAWER CLOSES)
I know what you've been doing
with the waste at the sea wall.
Jackie.
You dumb fuck.
Were you part of the
waste at the farm as well?
Jackie, stop.
- Part of the landfill?
- Please.
I need to ask him something.
The day Cefin died,
you came to the town meeting
and you were hot when you arrived.
Was I?
I didn't think about it at the time
but all night you were boiling.
- And you didn't have your glasses.
- Did I not, no?
Where were your glasses?
I don't know what
you are talking about.
How did you lose your glasses, Mac?
(ICE SMASHING)
- How did I lose my glasses?
- Yes.
Well, I can't remember.
Why are yous fucking looking at me?
(LAUGHS)
- What's happening, Mac?
- Jackie, don't.
I need you to put that knife down.
(GASPS SOFTLY)
You're behaving like
I'm a fucking maniac or something.
Jackie, step back, please.
- Dylan, fuck off.
- Fuck you.
Put the knife down.
Jackie
Or I'll take it from you.
(BOTH GRUNT) - Mac!
- Dylan!
(GROANS) - Shit!
- Stop!
Dylan!
(GROANS)
- Out of my way!
- Mac!
- Breathe.
- (GASPING) He's getting away.
It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter.
- He's getting away.
- Sit down.
(DOOR SLAMS)
Mac!
I need to look. Let me see.
(GROANS)
OK.
You're gonna be alright.
Look at me. Look at me.
You're gonna be alright.
(RAIN PATTERING)
BULL: Oi!
(SHOUTING IN DISTANCE)
- DANNY: He's got him!
- KIERAN: Come on, James!
DANNY: Come on, James.
Come on, James.
Hey, look at me, you.
Look at me. You saved my life.
Have you seen Deng? DC Deng?
Yeah. She's with the other search party.
Alright, if you see her,
tell her I've gone to Mac
Jones' house, to go and find him.
OK.
I'm gonna take this boat off yer.
(LOW CHATTER FROM BOAT)
(ENGINE DRONES)
(ENGINE OFF)
Mac! Mac!
- Mac!
- Nisha!
- Nisha!
- (SCREAMS) Mac!
Nisha, come here.
Where's Mac? Where's Mac?
- Where is he? Where is he?
- He's gone. Dylan, he's hurt.
He's in the house.
Come in the house. Come on.
(DOOR CLOSES)
- Jackie.
- Bull.
- What's happened?
- He's been stabbed.
Mac stabbed him.
(BABY CRYING)
- Won't stop bleeding.
- Shh, shh!
- Nisha, where did he go?
- He just ran.
Is he out on the marsh?
(BABY CRYING)
Don't leave him, not for a second.
DYLAN: Jackie
- Jackie
- It's OK, it's OK.
She'll be alright. (DOOR CLOSES)
She'll be OK.
(RAIN LASHING DOWN)
(THUNDER RUMBLES)
I've got pills for the pain here.
Go after her.
Please.
Keep the pressure on there, OK?
(GROANS)
- Keep the pressure on.
- I've got it.
(TENSE MUSIC)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
- Mac, it's over.
- Jackie I can't find it!
Put your hands up where I can see 'em.
(CRIES OUT)
It's over. It's over. It's done.
(LAUGHS)
Jackie. Jackie, I'm sorry.
(CRIES OUT)
Aargh, aargh!
You cut that other wrist, Mac,
and I will be in there
like a fucking shot,
and you will survive.
I know you don't want that. Jackie!
I know you want me dead.
No, I don't. I don't. I want you
alive, I want you to see everything.
I want you to see
inside of that fucking courtroom.
I want you to see inside that cell.
I want you to see Nisha's face.
I want you to see your son grow up,
knowing what you've fucking done!
You give this whole impression
you're doing the right thing,
saving the world, teaching the kids.
But I know you.
Deep down you want me to die
and you know how I know that?
Because she screamed for you.
Nessa. She screamed
for her mother and father.
- And for you.
- Fucking liar.
I found her and she was hurt
- and she screamed for you.
- Go fuck yourself, Mac.
And what's so funny
is that Cefin did too.
You fuck off!
"Tell Miss Ellis. Tell Miss Ellis."
- Tell me what?
- Everything he knew.
He was a child. He didn't know anything!
He was a fucking child. (SOBS)
But he saw everything.
And he thought you could fix it.
You, in your white cape!
No one can fix what you've done.
Everyone would've tried though,
wouldn't they?
Nisha would've tried.
Everyone would have fucking tried!
It had burned through his wellies.
I was only trying to clean him up.
But he kept shouting about it.
Shouting, shouting, shouting.
He was a lunatic, he wouldn't shut up.
You fucking bastard.
Jackie. Jackie, I had no choice.
What do you mean you had no choice?
You killed two children.
You killed two innocent children, Mac.
You were our family!
Nessa would have died
from her injuries. She
You don't know that!
You didn't give her a fucking chance.
No!
No, no.
(GRUNTS)
(JACKIE GRUNTS)
(BREATHING HEAVILY)
(TENSE MUSIC)
(BUBBLING)
(WATER SPLASHES)
(GRUNTS, COUGHS)
(SLAP THUDS)
(COUGHING)
(GASPS FOR AIR, COUGHING)
(COUGHING, GROANS)
(GROANS)
(WHIRRING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(BIRD CALLS)
Alright, boys?
(SOLOMON SPEAKS WELSH)
Come on, now.
(SOBS)
(SOLEMN MUSIC)
(BIRDS CHIRRUPING)
(WATER SLOSHING)
Carys?
Carys?!
(SHOUTS) Carys! No!
No!
(CRIES OUT)
(SPEAKS WELSH)
DANNY:
Osian! Pull the boat round, Kieran.
(SOBBING)
Bring it round.
Osian!
(CONTINUES SOBBING)
(DOG WHINES)
(BIRD CALLS)
(RUSTLING)
Deng.
- Bull.
- Look, er
In your report you should be upfront
about my involvement with Ellis.
I'm gonna put it in my report,
and yours should reflect that. OK?
There'll be an investigation,
you'll be stood down.
I'm aware of that, yeah.
- It could be gross misconduct.
- I'm aware of that.
But protocol wasn't
going to work in this case.
I needed her.
You didn't need her.
You involved her for her own sake.
And I think that's OK, boss.
Just um Make sure
that no-one speaks to him
until we can get him to the mainland
for a mental health assessment.
We don't wanna lose his testimony.
He's admitted two deaths
but he could be responsible
for August's as well.
Is he wearing bandages?
No. Just glued and dressed.
- And he's cuffed.
- Good.
Good.
OK.
- IRA: There we are. Done.
- DYLAN: Thanks.
Ira?
Would you check something for me, please?
Sure.
I'm pregnant and I um
Will you lie down, please?
Here.
(HEARTBEAT)
Can he listen?
GARETH: You got this?
(LOW CHATTER)
- MAN: I'll have one too.
- GARETH: You take that.
Hiya.
D'you think er some other places
up and down the coast
have been hit badly as well?
Er, yeah, yeah. Quite a few.
Should be providing boats
now that it's clear but, y'know
Probably be a while
before we get any resources.
Are you um
thinking of rushing off or
Ooh.
No. No.
Do you think you'll er
remain for the clean-up?
Yeah, it'll keep me busy for a while.
Then I'll probably want to get as
far away as possible. Maybe France.
Doesn't seem very far to me, France.
- Yeah, well, I don't fly.
- Oh, oh!
And there are some
beautiful spots there as well.
In the Loire Valley, right, they
got nine different species of heron.
They got terns, they got grebes
And if you're lucky, depending
on what time of year you go
you might see the European Bee-eater
which is this tiny
multi-coloured little bird
that has the most beautiful song.
Yeah, it's magic.
(CHATTER)
(EDDIE SPEAKS WELSH)
BRYN: Right. Right, who's hungry?
Oh, there's loads.
Yeah, come and have a bit.
SOLOMON: You know, I've
I've been around cows
and sheep all my life.
But I've never seen them
bunt their own family.
They know they need
each other to survive, huh?
For the system to work.
Is he still missing? Ned?
Yeah. Yeah, he is.
Yeah, he's a coward, my son.
Yeah, we're all cowards, aren't we?
We all saw things, we all
knew things, we all did nothing.
Apart from you.
No, you tried. You are one
of the only ones who tried. Eh?
Yeah, well, er
I'll go and help with the food.
(CHATTER CONTINUES)
(BIRDS CHIRRUPING)
Is Dylan OK?
Yeah.
And is your er is your baby OK?
- Yeah.
- Oh, that's good.
Why didn't I tell him about it?
Well, you were scared.
Scared of what?
Trusting anyone, I suppose.
Tell Dylan to not take it
too personally, eh?
(CHUCKLES)
I'm gonna get away for a bit, I think.
You have never gotten away.
There's a lot of very
beautiful things out there.
- Is that right?
- I really wanna see 'em.
Yeah.
Well, you send me a postcard.
Ellis.
Bull.
(GENTLE MUSIC)
(CHATTER IN BARN)
(INDISTINCT CONVERSATION)
Night after sorrow ♪
You're my song ♪
Strings will collide ♪
We are undone ♪
Darken the waters ♪
Deepen regret ♪
Better to remember ♪
Or better to forget? ♪
(SONG CONTINUES IN WELSH)
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