'Prodigal Son' Episode 4: Ainsley meets her serial killer father in prison, does this take her one step closer to the dark side?

Fans had predicted that Malcolm Bright's (Tom Payne) sister Ainsley (Halston Sage) would take a turn to the dark side
PUBLISHED OCT 15, 2019

Spoilers ahead for Episode 4 'Designer Complicity' of 'Prodigal Son' 

The fourth episode of 'Prodigal Son' titled 'Designer Complicity' gave fans answers they were looking for. We finally got to know just how much  Jessica Whitly (Bellamy Young) knew about the night of her serial killer husband Dr. Martin Whitly's (Michael Sheen) arrest.

The reveal came as a surprise since many of us were under the impression that Jessica's character would be that of an accomplice to her murderous husband. 

What didn't come as a surprise though was the ending of the episode. Fans had predicted that Malcolm Bright's (Tom Payne) sister Ainsley (Halston Sage) would take a turn to the dark side.

They had said it would add more zest to the already existing dysfunctional dynamics of the thriller. In a conversation with Jessica in this episode, Ainsley points out that her mother is spiralling out of control since her meeting with Dr Martin.

Jessica had earlier paid Dr. Martin a visit to convince him to keep away from Malcolm. But the visit was never this straightforward — neither was it ever meant to be. Characteristic to Dr. Martin, he played mind games with Jessica who had been deeply disturbed since the meeting. 

Ainsley points out that her brother Malcolm and her mother are "spiraling" because of Dr. Martin. She adds that perhaps her meetings with him won't be this damaging because she doesn't have baggage.

She says that her father doesn't even know her, however, Jessica tells her that Martin is her "biggest fan" and calls "his daughter, the ace reporter".

Ainsley is then tempted to do an exclusive with The Surgeon: "Don't you know what a Martin Whitly exclusive could do for my career?" she asks her mother, who obviously tells her to not pursue it. 

Later, she calls Malcolm to fact-check her mother's claims. "Does he really watch all my reports?" she asks her brother.

Malcolm tells her that The Surgeon won't be watching her if she had not been the best. Ainsley expresses her interest in interviewing him, but even Malcolm tells her to not go through with it.

In the final scene though, Ainsley visits her father in his cell. "Dr. Whitly, it's been a long time," she says with a staunch look on her face.

"It has. But please, call me Dad," Dr. Whitly says with the distinctive Sheen smile we had all come to love but are now terrified of. 'Prodigal Son' airs on Mondays at 9 pm ET/PT.

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