This article contains spoilers for Criminal Record Season 2 Episode 7.
With only one episode remaining, Criminal Record Season 2 shifts firmly into endgame territory. “Going Down” delivers several long-awaited revelations, brings Cosmo Thompson’s operation closer than ever to collapse, and finally forces June Lenker to confront the full truth behind Dan Hegarty’s controversial methods. At the same time, the episode cleverly reminds viewers that arresting one man does not necessarily stop a movement.
The hour picks up immediately after Billy’s contact with JP, confirming that an attack is imminent and that Cosmo’s plan is already in motion. That information creates a sense of urgency that runs through the entire episode. Unlike previous installments, where the focus often centered on gathering intelligence and connecting pieces of a larger puzzle, “Going Down” is about acting before it is too late.
Billy remains one of the season’s most compelling characters, and Luther Ford continues delivering excellent work in the role. The deeper Billy moves into Cosmo’s circle, the more exhausting the operation becomes. His scenes are no longer about maintaining a cover identity as much as surviving the consequences of it. Every interaction feels dangerous, particularly after the events in the forest and the growing suspicion surrounding him.
That tension reaches its peak in Billy’s scenes with Cosmo. Dustin Demri-Burns continues to make Cosmo both charismatic and deeply unsettling. What makes the character so effective is his ability to switch effortlessly between warmth and menace. One moment he is offering reassurance and speaking like a trusted friend. The next, it becomes clear that he is carefully testing Billy, searching for signs of betrayal.
The elevator sequence stands out as one of the episode’s strongest moments. Rather than relying on shouting or overt threats, the scene builds suspense through quiet conversation. As Cosmo gradually reveals that he knows far more than Billy realized, the atmosphere becomes increasingly claustrophobic. By the time the elevator doors open and armed officers move in, the audience understands that Billy’s cover has effectively reached its breaking point.
The episode also continues exploring the fallout from the previous hour’s revelations about Dan Hegarty. June spends much of “Going Down” wrestling with questions about how far Dan’s operation extended and whether the truth she uncovered changes anything about the present threat.
What makes these scenes work is that the series avoids presenting June’s investigation as a simple victory. Instead, every answer seems to create a new complication. The revelation that Counter Terrorism approved Billy’s recruitment and extraction from prison dramatically changes the context surrounding Dan’s actions. It does not erase the ethical concerns surrounding the operation, but it confirms that he was not acting independently.
Peter Capaldi remains excellent throughout these confrontations. Dan continues to be one of the show’s most fascinating characters because he is rarely allowed the comfort of being entirely right or entirely wrong. His methods remain questionable, his secrecy remains frustrating, and yet the episode repeatedly suggests that some of his fears about modern policing and intelligence work may be justified.
The conversation between Dan and June following Cosmo’s arrest is particularly strong. Their conflict has driven much of the season, but here it evolves into something more complicated than a simple disagreement over procedure. Both characters are ultimately trying to prevent the same disaster, even if they fundamentally disagree on how that should happen.
The episode also deserves credit for how it handles June and JP. Their relationship has become increasingly complicated over the course of the season, and the fallout finally becomes impossible to ignore. Their confrontation outside June’s home is uncomfortable in exactly the right way. JP feels betrayed by June’s growing distrust, while June struggles to separate her personal feelings from legitimate questions surrounding Suffolk Square and Dan’s operation.
Rather than turning the situation into melodrama, the writing allows the hurt and disappointment to linger naturally. The arrival of JP’s fiancée, Ella, in the previous episode continues to cast a shadow over their interactions, adding another layer of tension to an already difficult situation.
Meanwhile, Cosmo’s influence continues to extend beyond his physical presence. Even after his arrest, the episode makes it clear that the movement he helped build has developed a momentum of its own. His broadcasts remain a powerful tool, allowing him to inspire followers even as law enforcement closes in around him. The series consistently understands that the real threat is not simply Cosmo as an individual, but the network and ideology surrounding him.
There are moments where the procedural aspects of the operation become dense, particularly as multiple agencies coordinate surveillance, arrests, and intelligence gathering simultaneously. However, the episode manages to keep those details grounded through strong character work. The investigation never feels detached from the people carrying it out, which helps maintain the emotional investment even during the more technical sequences.
The final sequence avoids treating Cosmo’s arrest as a triumphant moment. While his capture marks a significant breakthrough, the episode quickly reminds viewers that the larger threat remains unresolved. Nigel and the rest of the group are already moving forward with the plan, leaving the authorities with a dangerous problem: they have the man at the center of the movement, but not the information needed to stop what comes next.
As a penultimate episode, “Going Down” successfully shifts the season into its final phase. The hour delivers long-awaited revelations, deepens several of its strongest character dynamics, and leaves the investigation facing its most urgent challenge yet. Cosmo may finally be in custody, but Criminal Record makes it clear that the real test is still to come.
