Breaking Down the Shocking Ending of Murdaugh: Death in the Family

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The Murdaugh family tragedy began on June 7, 2021, when Maggie and Paul Murdaugh were killed by Alex Murdaugh at their South Carolina dog kennel. This event is the focus of the true-crime series Murdaugh: Death in the Family, starring Patricia Arquette, Johnny Berchtold, and Jason Clarke. The high-profile murders quickly drew attention, leading to the creation of both the Murdaugh Murders Podcast by Mandy Matney (portrayed by Brittany Snow in the series) and the two-season docuseries Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal.

The docuseries Murdaugh: Death in the Family, created by Michael D. Fuller and Erin Lee Carter, tells the story of the Murdaughs, a well-known and influential family with a long history of legal practice in South Carolina. The show is a captivating and enraging look at how systems protect the rich and powerful. While the central murder is foreshadowed, it isn’t revealed until the sixth episode. The final two episodes then narrow the focus, shifting from the entire Murdaugh family to Alex and, in particular, his eldest son, Buster (played by Will Harrison).

Carter explains that viewers weren’t sure what Buster had gone through, and the show aims to explore his experiences rather than directly recreate them. They focused on portraying the emotional impact of losing family members and his relationship with his father, hoping to give audiences a new understanding of these perspectives. Fuller notes that after the murders, Buster effectively becomes a stand-in for the audience, allowing viewers to process the events through his eyes.

Focusing on Buster, who hadn’t been a major character until the last two episodes, fits with the show’s goal of giving a voice to the victims of the Murdaugh family, such as Maggie and Paul.

According to Carter, when watching a story that reveals abuses of power, it’s important to focus on the harm caused. The most compelling characters are often those who have been hurt. She notes that highlighting the experiences of victims feels organic and reflects a current trend in storytelling – a focus on those who have endured hardship, whether they overcame it or not – which she finds very promising.

What happens to Alex Murdaugh?

The series concludes with its eighth episode, “The Man in Glass,” penned by Fuller and Gabrielle Costa. This episode finally reveals the outcome of Alex Murdaugh’s (played by Clarke) trial for the murders of his wife, Maggie (Arquette), and son, Paul (Berchtold). Fuller explains that after the deaths of Maggie and Paul, Alex’s behavior seemed distant and strange. He became increasingly mysterious and difficult to understand.

The final scene starts with a shocking discovery: video proof shows Alex was at the kennel with Maggie and Paul the night they were murdered, despite his claims to the contrary. Although the video doesn’t clearly show him, the voice on the recording is unmistakably Alex’s. This revelation happens at the police station, where Alex’s family and Maggie’s sister are gathered as detectives present the incriminating evidence.

According to Fuller, the evidence presented to the grand jury – before any charges were filed – was pivotal. They showed everyone involved irrefutable video proof that Alex had been dishonest about his whereabouts on the night of the murders, specifically claiming he was at the kennel. This revelation was a major turning point in the investigation. The reaction from Alex’s family was strong, as they came to terms with his deception and the significant implications it had for the case. Fuller explains that this lie casts doubt on everything Alex said both before and after, making his family question his entire story.

Throughout the trial, Alex consistently claimed he didn’t commit the crimes, but the evidence told a different story. The jury found him guilty, sentencing him to two life sentences for the two murders. This outcome was the focus of much of the Murdaugh: Death in the Family documentary, but when the verdict was read, the scene was surprisingly calm. There was no dramatic music or loud reactions from those present – just a man confronting the reality of spending the rest of his life in prison.

According to Fuller, they discussed the pivotal scene extensively with director Steven Piet. When the verdict arrived, it felt inevitable. Fuller explains that Piet’s attempt to defend himself failed dramatically. They even used the judge’s actual words from the court transcript, wanting the weight of the moment to speak for itself. It was a powerfully sad and discouraging scene, but also strangely satisfying because it offered a sense of justice and resolution. However, the character Buster still has to come to terms with everything that’s happened, and that internal struggle felt naturally impactful without needing further explanation.

Carter explains that the story doesn’t have a dramatic climax, but rather a slow, draining effect due to ongoing dishonesty. He finds it unsettling that the character refuses to take responsibility or offer any resolution. Carter believes this should be exposed, not hidden.

Following the trial, the show reveals the murder through Alex’s eyes – a scene hinted at from the very beginning and explored further in episode six. We see just how much planning went into it, from the protective clothing he wore to avoid getting blood on himself, to his disturbingly calm execution of the crime against his wife and child.

Fuller explains they spent a lot of time discussing how to portray the murder. They wanted to show everything leading up to it, including the character’s thought process and a key interaction with his son right before he shoots again. This moment, Fuller says, represents everything the audience has questioned about the character and brings all the previous clues together, hopefully giving viewers a better understanding of his actions.

Fuller explains that this reveals a person’s true nature – who they’ve always been and who they are now – and that this is a permanent part of them, whether they acknowledge it or not.

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2025-11-20 01:07