'DTF St. Louis' Episode 5 recap: Who killed Flyod? New key suspect with past conviction casts doubt
The murder mystery at the centre of HBO's DTF St. Louis is further complicated with new revelations in Episode 5. The show kickstarted with the death of Floyd Smernitch, causing detectives to look into his colorful life in the suburban town of Twyla, Missouri. The episode titled 'Amphezyne' picked up after the shocking closet scene at the end of Episode 4. The episode made viewers rethink the love triangle between Carol Love (Floyd's wife), Floyd Smernitch, and Clark Forrest. Viewers are hooked right from the outset, with the cold open being the juxtaposition of a slo‑mo of Floyd’s nude Indiana Jones Playgirl shoot and Bob Dylan’s 'Forever Young.'
Though Floyd exposed many colorful details about his life, he kept the crucial story about his p*nis injury under wraps. The well-meaning protagonist revealed several instances in which he suffered physical harm. He was first flattened by a street sign, and then broke both his arms, which led him to discover the wonders of ASL. Later, while opening an umbrella wedged between both his legs, he got hurt again when a passing motorcycle sent the umbrella flying into the air. These details also suggest that what detectives Donoghue Homer and Jodie Plumb initially suspected regarding Floyd's murder might not have been accurate. The key to the murder mystery may not be the illicit affair between Carol and Clark.
The episode clearly established that Floyd was well aware of the affair. He was happy that Carol was not compromising on her desire. The closet scene stemmed from Floyd's desire to be involved in the arrangement, even if it was from afar. Floyd even arranged a hotel room, and during one encounter, his kindness shone through as he leaped out of the closet to save a blind kid from falling into the pool. The latest episode saw the Carol-Floyd dynamic defined by a weird combination of love and disinterest. Carol appeared to be deeply in love, and while Floyd seemed to reciprocate her feelings, there were some issues.
It was not only Floyd's physical limitations that did not allow him to be fully present during intimacy, but also his lack of attraction towards Carol. This was rooted in Carol's job as an umpire. Floyd wanted to work on this problem and even followed Clark's advice to wear reading glasses to reduce the intimidation surrounding intimacy. Clark, in turn, also grew to appreciate Floyd, making the throuple a very affectionate but complicated arrangement. The detectives, on the other hand, continued their investigation and now have a prime suspect in mind.
A combination of factors contributed to their suspicion of Carol, ranging from her evasive attitude during questioning to her awareness of the risks Amphyzene posed to Floyd. The boner medicine in question was fatal for him due to the blood thinners he was already on, and she was seen asking what would happen if he took it anyway. The suspicion deepened in this episode when it was revealed that Carol had a previous conviction, which is now sealed. The enigmatic woman refused to divulge details regarding the case, citing her legal rights. The case could be linked to her first husband, whom Floyd once described as an 'a**hole.' The episode ended with Plumb attempting to access the record by faking a job application in Carol's name. The intriguing love triangle, involving an alluring set of characters and a host of past secrets, continues to keep viewers hooked. Only two episodes remain, and they will hopefully bring the mystery to a close. The finale will air on April 12, 2026.
