Acquitted

William's suicide attempt shakes Lifjord. The police won’t make a statement until the investigation is over. But instead of confessing once he is recovered, William denies everything and the town is once again torn between belief and doubt.

Now it’s Aksel's word against Eva and William's. Aksel challenges Eva to tell the truth but gets nowhere so he turns instead to Kristoffersen who overheard Eva talking about William's confession. Why is he so reluctant to help?

Aksel confronts Eva with suspicions of abuse, but she denies everything. He then accuses Kristoffersen of having deferred to the powerful Hansteen family. Kristoffersen finally shares what he knows, and a case is opened against William.

Court is chaos: Kristoffersen finally shares what he’s been hiding for years; Eva claims Kristoffersen is nothing but a rejected suitor lying for revenge; Mai Britt testifies on her son’s behalf; and William himself drops a bombshell.

Aksel is convinced that William is lying, but DNA--and Mai Britt--confirm William’s story. Desperate, Aksel testifies that William is lying about the night Karine died, but the defense’s surprise witness leaves Aksel once again an outcast.

After the trial, Aksel is furious. He realizes that he will be marked a murderer no matter what. Finally, at his lowest point, help comes from an unexpected source. Before Aksel can learn the truth, though, things fall apart again.

Helene has disappeared without a trace. Erik blames Aksel for pushing her too far and Aksel is frustrated, convinced that she knows more than she has shared. Worry turns to shock and grief when Erik finds Helene dead.

Aksel tries to help his brother, now under arrest for Helene’s murder, but things only get worse for Erik. Despite his brother’s lies, Aksel doesn’t believe he killed Helene. Everything leads to a final confrontation with Eva.