Case Histories Ending Explained

Case Histories is a British crime drama TV series based on the novels by Kate Atkinson, starring Jason Isaacs as Jackson Brodie, a private investigator with a troubled past and a knack for solving mysteries. The series consists of two seasons, each with three episodes, that aired from 2011 to 2013.

Setting the Scene

The series finale, titled “Jackson and the Women”, is the third episode of the second season. It follows Jackson as he helps a teenage boy named Ben, who has grown up in the shadow of his murdered mother, to understand how she really died.

Jackson also has to deal with his own complicated relationships with the women in his life, such as his ex-wife Josie, his daughter Marlee, his love interest Louise, and his former client Julia.

Meanwhile, Jackson’s friend and colleague, Tracy Waterhouse, a retired police officer, is involved in a case that links back to an old murder investigation that she and Jackson worked on together. The case involves a corrupt ex-police chief named Lomax, who has a connection to Jackson’s past.

Explanation of the Ending

Key Events

• Jackson discovers that Ben’s mother, Lauren, was killed by her husband, Graham, who was having an affair with his secretary, Tanya. Graham staged the murder to look like a robbery gone wrong, and hired Jackson to find the killer, hoping to divert suspicion from himself.

• Jackson confronts Graham and Tanya at their home, and reveals the truth to Ben, who is shocked and angry. Jackson also finds out that Graham was the one who hired a hitman to kill him, after he got too close to the truth. Jackson manages to escape from the hitman, and calls Louise for backup.

• Tracy and her former colleague, Barry, track down Lomax, who is hiding in a remote cabin. They learn that Lomax was involved in a cover-up of a child abuse scandal, and that he kidnapped and killed a boy named Michael, who was the son of one of the victims. Michael was also the brother of Carol, a woman who was murdered by Lomax’s henchman, and whose case Jackson and Tracy investigated years ago.

• Lomax threatens Jackson to back off, but Jackson refuses. Tracy and Barry arrest Lomax, and find Michael’s body buried in the woods. They also find a letter from Michael to Jackson, who had hired another private investigator to find out what happened to his family. The letter reveals that Michael knew that Jackson was his father, and that he wanted to meet him.

• Jackson is shocked and saddened by the revelation, and regrets that he never got the chance to know his son. He visits Michael’s grave, and leaves a toy dinosaur that he had bought for him. He also visits Carol’s grave, and apologizes for not being able to save her or Michael.

• Jackson decides to leave Edinburgh, and move to New Zealand with Marlee, who wants to live with her mother. He says goodbye to Louise, who is pregnant with his child, and tells her that he loves her. He also says goodbye to Julia, who has decided to stay with her husband, despite having feelings for Jackson. He gives her a necklace that he had bought for her, and kisses her.

• Jackson and Marlee board a plane to New Zealand, and Jackson hopes for a fresh start. He also hopes that Louise will join him someday, and that they can raise their child together. He smiles as he looks at a photo of Louise on his phone.

Character Resolutions

• Jackson resolves his main case, and finds out the truth about his son. He also makes peace with his past, and tries to move on with his life. He expresses his love for Louise, and his hope for their future. He also shows his affection for Julia, and his respect for her decision. He also reconnects with his daughter, and decides to be a better father to her.

• Ben learns the truth about his mother’s death, and confronts his father. He also finds out that Jackson was his half-brother, and that he cared for him. He thanks Jackson for his help, and says that he will miss him. He also decides to stay with his aunt, who is his legal guardian.

• Tracy solves the case that haunted her for years, and brings justice to Michael and Carol. She also exposes Lomax’s corruption, and avenges her former partner, who was killed by Lomax. She also supports Jackson, and helps him cope with his loss. She also bonds with her adopted daughter, Courtney, who is the child of a drug addict that she rescued from an abusive situation.

• Louise accepts Jackson’s love, and tells him that she is pregnant with his child. She also supports him in his decision to leave, and promises to keep in touch with him. She also continues her work as a detective, and shows her professionalism and competence. She also cares for her son, Archie, who is autistic.

• Julia realizes that she loves Jackson, but decides to stay with her husband, David, for the sake of their children. She also appreciates Jackson’s gesture, and kisses him goodbye. She also reconciles with her sister, Amelia, who was estranged from her after their younger sister, Olivia, disappeared when they were children.

Revealed Themes and Messages

• One of the main themes of the series is the impact of the past on the present, and how unresolved mysteries and tragedies can affect people’s lives. The series shows how Jackson and the other characters are haunted by their pasts, and how they try to find closure and healing.

• Another theme is the complexity of human relationships, and how people can have different connections and feelings for each other. The series explores the various relationships that Jackson has with the women in his life, and how they influence his choices and actions. The series also shows how the other characters deal with their own relationships, and how they cope with love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness.

• A third theme is the role of fate and coincidence, and how they can bring people together or tear them apart. The series depicts how Jackson and the other characters encounter various situations and people that are linked to their pasts or futures, and how they react to them. The series also suggests that some things are meant to be, and that some people are destined to cross paths.