The story of the Murdaugh family reaches its breaking point in the penultimate episode of “Murdaugh: Death in the Family.“ Titled “On the Road You Take to Avoid It,” the new episode shows Alex Murdaugh’s carefully built world collapsing as police uncover his deceptions and his own family begins to see the truth. The latest chapter in the Hulu series tracks the rapid downfall of the once-powerful lawyer after the murders of his wife and son.
The Family Reacts to Tragedy
The episode begins in the immediate aftermath of the double homicide. Buster Murdaugh, played by Will Harrison, learns from his father Alex that his mother Maggie and brother Paul have been murdered. His arrival at the crime scene becomes a pivotal moment for the character.
Will Harrison explained that his role changes significantly from this point. He said, “He becomes, in the latter half of the series, kind of the way that you can view the story on a really human level… He is experiencing the tragedy firsthand as it’s unfolding for you as an audience member.”
The family patriarch, Randolph Murdaugh, reacts with equal shock. Actor Gerald McRaney described his character’s perspective, noting Randolph believes outside forces are punishing the family. “I think the news of Maggie’s death, especially, just tears him apart,” McRaney said. “It’s like she was the one who possibly could have saved this family, and it didn’t work out.”
The Investigation Turns Toward Alex
As the family grieves, investigators David Owen and Laura Rutland begin eliminating suspects. Alex initially pushes a theory that the killings were revenge for the boat crash that killed Mallory Beach. He gets temporary relief when the Beach family withdraws their civil lawsuit against him, but this is quickly overshadowed by the death of his father, Randolph.
Key breaks in the case come from unexpected places. Paul’s friend, Rogan Gibson, tells police he heard Alex’s voice in his final call with Paul, placing Alex at the crime scene shortly before the murders occurred. Investigator Laura Rutland also notices that Alex appeared unusually clean despite claiming to have checked the blood-stained bodies of his wife and son.
At the memorial service for Maggie and Paul, Alex behaves strangely. He corners his mother’s caretaker, Shelly Smith, pressuring her to change her story about his alibi and offering financial help with her wedding in exchange. He also makes a curious comment to his sister-in-law Marian, suggesting the killer must have planned the murders for a long time.
The Financial House of Cards Falls
While police piece together the murder investigation, Alex’s financial crimes catch up with him. His brother, Randy, along with the CFO and partners at his law firm, confront him about stealing client funds. They discovered his fake “Forge” scheme and fire him immediately.
Alex attempts to save himself by revealing his opioid addiction and appealing to Randy as a brother. While Randy offers sympathy and help with rehabilitation, he cannot save Alex’s job. The confrontation sends Alex into a rage, which he takes out on the family home before devising a new scheme.
A Desperate Suicide Plot
In one of the episode’s most dramatic scenes, Alex summons his cousin, Curtis “Eddie” Smith, to a remote area. He asks Eddie to shoot him in what he later claims was an attempt to secure a life insurance payout for his son, Buster. Eddie refuses and, after firing a warning shot, accidentally knocks Alex to the ground before fleeing.
Alex arrives at the hospital with a head injury, claiming someone tried to kill him. However, investigators already have Eddie’s confession exposing the lie. They confront Alex about his fabricated story right in front of Buster, further damaging his credibility with his surviving son.
The Podcast Takes Shape
Amid the unfolding drama, journalist Mandy Matney begins her “Murdaugh Murders Podcast.” Actress Brittany Snow, who plays Matney, found this particularly meaningful as she was already familiar with the real podcast.
“I was very familiar with the podcast. I was a huge fan,” Snow remembered. “For the first time in my entire life, I was overprepared for an interview.”
Matney’s reporting brings new attention to other mysterious deaths connected to the family, including the case of Stephen Smith, whose homicide investigation is reopened.
A Symbolic Final Scene
In a quieter but powerful moment, Alex and Buster retreat to Maggie’s beach house. There, they use the paint swatches that once represented Maggie’s hopes for renovating the home as coasters for their beer bottles.
Series co-creator Erin Lee Carr spoke about the significance of this scene. “Even though Buster loved his mother very much in our story, and in real life, there’s a certain thing of like, ‘She’s gone. That’s over. We’re not going to be painting.’ The simple act of the cup going on the paint sample, to me, really, really mattered.”
Will Harrison added that his character was trying to “pick up that Murdaugh mantle and assume the role that his father might have played” in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The episode ends with Alex being taken to rehab after reading a prepared statement about his resignation. Buster returns to the family home alone, surrounded by the physical and metaphorical wreckage left by his father’s actions.
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