The Drowning viewers fume at ‘absurd’ series finale with ‘so many plot holes’

Fans decried the mystery’s conclusion as ‘utter nonsense’

Channel 5’s new crime series The Drowning aired its final episode last night, leaving viewers baffled at a surprising last-minute plot twist.

The series tells the story of Jodie (Jill Halfpenny), a mother who believes her son, presumed dead for years, is really alive and living under a new identity.

Spoilers for The Drowning follow.

Don’t read on if you don’t wish to know what happens during the series’ fourth and final episode.

In the final episode, it was revealed that, contrary to an earlier DNA test, Daniel (Cody Molko) is in fact not Jodie’s son, and the test was faked by Jodie’s brother, Jason (Jonas Armstrong).

Jason was in fact to blame for Jodie’s son’s death years earlier, having been distracted by a job offer while supervising him on the lake. He also faked the results of the first DNA test.

Read more: Anyone in need of good cheer shouldn't watch The Drowning - review

But some viewers claimed that the resolution made no sense, while questioning why Daniel looked so similar to Jodie’s son (and that they shared the same scar), as well as the rationality of Jason’s actions.

“So many flaws and plot holes,” wrote one viewer on Twitter, “and a wonderful coincidence that Daniel looked like Tom and had the same scar.”

“If you’re thinking of catching up with this, don’t,” wrote someone else. “There are much better things to do with four hours of your life.”

“Intriguing plot but more holes than a rusty bucket,” joked another, while someone else bemoaned that there were “so many implausible scenarios”.

“What nonsense!” commented another social media user. “Boo! Totally crap ending.”

“If you haven't watched #TheDrowning on Channel 5,” wrote a different viewer, “keep it that way. The most absurd final episode in the history of absurd final episodes. Utter nonsense.”

The series is available to watch On Demand on My5