Episode 7

Hardy refuses to be hospitalised and continues with the investigation, despite warnings it could cause his death. Jenkinson advises Hardy he will be invalided off the force in 24 hours. Ellie links Susan to Danny's murder through cigarette butts at the crime scene. Susan claims she saw Danny's body on the beach during a late-night walk, and tells Ellie her life story. Maggie learns of Hardy's collapse, and Hardy contacts Steve in a desperate attempt to solve the case. Maggie and Olly blackmail Hardy into giving them an exclusive or they will publicly reveal Hardy's health problems. Beth and Mark seek counseling from Rev. Coates, and debate whether to keep their baby. Ellie confronts Susan, who claims she saw Nigel arrive in a boat and leave the body and skateboard on the beach. Nigel is arrested and the dog is found. Susan reveals that Nigel is her son, and she believes he's a child murderer like his father. Nigel says he went hunting the night Danny died, and admits to cutting a fence and stealing fuel while out (as seen in episode one). Susan and Nigel are released. Hardy learns Danny's smartphone was used to report the summer house break-in. Reverend Coates tells Hardy that Tom and Danny were not getting along and gives Hardy the smashed laptop he recovered from Tom. Hardy meets for an interview with Maggie and Olly, and confesses that his ex-wife was responsible for the loss of evidence that led to the collapse of the Sandbrook murder case. Hardy says he took the blame to protect their teenage daughter. Nigel escapes police surveillance and threatens Susan, who leaves Broadchurch later that night. At dinner, Dean tells the shocked Latimers that he accompanied Danny and Nigel onto the estate late at night to hunt animals. Nigel, he says, told him that Mark knew of and condoned these trips. Size ten footprints are found at the summer house, Hardy asks Ellie about a fight between Tom and Danny, and Ellie gives Hardy access to Tom's computer.