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‘DTF St. Louis’ Episode 4 Ending Explained: What does Floyd see in the motel?

The latest episode intensifies the estrangement between Carol Love-Smernitch and Floyd Smernitch and deepens the friendship between Clark and Floyd

The dark comedy series 'DTF St. Louis' returned with more twists and secrets in Episode 4, which dropped on March 22 on HBO. Titled 'Missouri Mutual Life & Health Insurance Company,' the episode is written and directed by series creator Steven Conrad. The show's latest episode focuses on Carol Love-Smernitch's (Linda Cardellini) perspective as she grows increasingly frustrated with the couple's financial hardships and her husband, Floyd Smernitch's (David Harbour) refusal to take charge. Clark Forrest (Jason Bateman) and Floyd's friendship becomes more intense after they go on a male bonding trip. However, Floyd makes a startling discovery at the end of the episode that changes everything.

Episode 4 of the HBO series shows Carol's side of the story and explains, not excuses, why she threw herself at Clark. Although Floyd establishes himself as a thoughtful friend and a caring stepdad, he is not the best husband. Carol and Floyd are struggling to buy household items like plates and bowls, and pay for lawn service, but Floyd offers a little help. With no options left, Carol is forced to take up a second job as a Little League umpire to make ends meet. Floyd's inability to step up and get on top of his financial debt leaves his wife feeling lonely and drowning. So Clark's arrival in her life felt like a raft that she desperately clung to for her (emotional and financial) survival. On top of that, Floyd complains that her umpire outfit is a huge turn-off and is ruining their sex life.

The latest episode of ‘DTF St. Louis’ features one of the most beautiful examples of male friendship as Floyd and Clark take a wine-tasting bike trip to reclaim some part of their lost selves. They happily pedal away on their bikes and even perform a rap song about how Floyd will ace the life insurance physical, which he needs to clear to take out a policy for his family. The duo names themselves the Thunder Boys during this trip. During a vulnerable moment, Floyd tells his best friend, "My heart just races … like a bird heart," constantly aflutter, but unable to fly away. His admission cuts deeper, as we know his fate, but it's good to see him experience an earnest friendship that helps him process the feelings of defeat and debasement that have come to dominate his life. Although Clark is sleeping with his wife, he cares for Floyd, as he told the detectives in Episode 3 that he loved Floyd more than Carol. It seems like an honest confession about finding someone who truly understood him and vice versa.  

In the present timeline, Detectives Plumb and Homer solve the mystery of Floyd’s key, which they found in Episode 3, which made Clark want to lawyer up. Through Floyd's last date, a man named Modern Love, they discover that the key belongs to PO Box 260, which contains his life insurance documents. Carol is the recipient of $1 million after Floyd’s death, giving the detectives a motive for the murder and another suspect in Carol. 

At the end of Episode 4, Floyd is seen inside the Quality Inn motel, where Clark and Carol are secretly hooking up. He hides in the closet and watches his wife role-play in Clark’s pool boy fantasy. How did Floyd find out about the affair and the motel? More importantly, does he confront Carol and Clark about their betrayal? We'll have to wait until next Sunday, 9 p.m. ET, to find out the answers.