Toxic Town's Shocking Twist: Did the Mothers Get Justice?

*Warning: This article contains full spoilers for the final episode of Toxic Town.*

In just four episodes, you’ll quickly find yourself binging on Netflix’s Toxic Town. Given that you’re reading this, chances are you’ve already devoured the episodes, eagerly awaiting the resolution of the case for the affected families.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my thoughts on this gripping series that reimagines the chilling Corby town poisonings. The nail-biting climax finds Susan (played brilliantly by Jodie Whittaker) and her fellow mothers standing trial in court. A whirlwind of feelings for numerous reasons, the grand finale has them delivering their testimonies as part of the claim, a moment that leaves viewers on the edge of their seats.

However, things aren’t always smooth, as they find themselves under scrutiny not just about their personal matters but also delving into the complexities surrounding Tracey (Aimee Lou Wood) and Maggie’s (Claudia Jessie) marriage with Derek (Joe Dempsie), a site worker.

In conversation with TopMob magazine, Wood expressed that the series is of significant importance due to its compelling narrative. He shared, “I found it hard to believe that I hadn’t heard about it before – it didn’t get much attention in the national media. On a personal level for the real Tracey, it’s crucial.

“It feels significant to be involved in anything that uncovers an awkward reality. I was truly impressed by her strength. She doesn’t view herself as a hero, but other mothers do. And it was empowering because, although I care about the reaction, once I knew Tracey was content, my mission was accomplished.

So, what exactly unfolded in the finale of Toxic Town? Read on for a full breakdown of the episode.

Toxic Town ending explained: What happened to Susan and the rest of the Corby mothers?

As a movie buff, I’d rephrase it as: The climax leaps forward in time to 2009. I find myself in the shoes of Connor, a teenager now, while Des (Rory Kinnear) and Dani (Lauren Lyle) are readying for a meeting with the council regarding a settlement agreement. However, upon arriving, Roy Thomas (Brendan Coyle) breaks the news that the council won’t be reaching a settlement due to insufficient evidence.

Despite Des’s efforts to argue otherwise, Roy decides that there’s no basis for the case and the council won’t be swayed by his alleged fabrications.

Later on, Des pays a visit to Tracey to inform her that she is not involved in the trial as her case doesn’t align with the others because it’s distinct. Despite Tracey having observed Shelby Anne’s ear deformity, Des clarifies that they could only consider cases involving differences in upper or lower limbs.

In my perspective, it became apparent that the filmmaker opted to exclude Tracy from the storyline earlier on, presumably due to an unresolved contractual issue. Consequently, I found myself delivering the unfortunate news to her. The very next day, our team geared up for our journey to London and the High Court, with Tracy conspicuously absent.

In simpler terms, Des encourages Susan (played by Jodie Whittaker) to inform the media about what the council has done to them. Later, during the court hearing, Des learns that the defense intends to claim that the dust didn’t spread far enough to affect the women. This could potentially weaken their own evidence regarding the dust equation. As a result, it’s crucial for them to prevent this from happening.

After returning to Corby at the end of the day, Des confesses to Susan about the reason Tracey wasn’t present, leaving Susan taken aback and irritated. In response, she promptly goes to visit Tracey at her residence, but her spouse asks her to return later.

In due course, it becomes apparent that Maggie (Claudia Jessie) and her spouse Derek (Joe Dempsie) experience a significant dispute, stemming from the perception that those in charge at the waste management firm have avoided any repercussions for their actions. Gazing upon Pat Miller’s (Ben Batt) lavish residence, Maggie expresses her frustration with their indifference and informs Derek that Des has inquired if he would be willing to provide testimony during the trial.

At the gathering, Pat confides in Roy that he’s anxious about the verdict of the case and its potential implications for his business rather than the city council. He suggests Roy should accept the settlement, but it’s evident that Roy is troubled by this idea.

Each day in court, it seems the prosecution’s scientific claims appear less factual. If I were Des speaking to Sam (Robert Carlyle), I’d suggest we could strengthen our case by calling on a witness who was present, someone like Ted Jenkins (Stephen McMillan).

Susan is about to testify in court, and before that, Des plans to visit her with an additional purpose: persuading Susan to talk Tracy into testifying as well. Since they work in close proximity, Susan’s evidence could significantly impact the trial’s result, but their strained relationship leaves Des unsure of how to approach this issue.

It’s fortunate that Tracey agrees to Susan’s invitation to the park, where they have an open discussion about the case. Despite finding it difficult, Susan expresses that everyone prefers winning without Tracey over losing with her. Successfully persuading Tracey, Susan emphasizes the importance of her testimony regarding her proximity to the contaminated pond, stating it is crucial for their case.

On the witness stand, Tracey eloquently details the harmful ponds and subtly emphasizes that while her daughter isn’t part of this trial, she ought to be. Following Tracey, it’s Susan’s turn. The defense subjects Susan to a rigorous grilling about her prescription anti-depressants, attempting to link their usage to Connor’s health issues.

That evening, Susan discusses her day with Michael Socha’s character, Peter, who’s been spending more time at home and taking care of the kids. Scenes show him bonding with Connor, discussing their impending winnings from the case, and uneasily mentioning potential business ventures like starting a garage together.

Despite having no knowledge about classic cars, Peter suggests to Connor they should venture into this area, but Connor reminds him that he doesn’t currently possess the necessary funds. However, Peter continues to share numerous ideas, which raises suspicion that there may be a hidden motive for his re-emergence within their family circle.

At the trial, Derek is unable to testify, but Maggie steps up and speaks on their behalf instead. She shares insights about Derek’s character and explains that his occupation required him to carry out actions which he recognized as wrong.

The next morning, Susan discovers Connor in the kitchen expressing his worries about Peter spending excess time with them. Perplexed about the suddenness of this, Connor informs Susan that Peter has been inquiring about the settlement money. Without delay, she instructs Peter to depart, a command supported by both her sons, and he complies.

Eventually, Sam passes on Ted’s address to Des, suggesting he persuade him to serve as a witness despite his reluctance. During the trial, the prosecution’s expert is firm in his belief that his theories regarding dust movement are accurate. Despite their strong position, their lawyer advises Des and Dani that they require someone with understanding of the risks being mishandled at the time, indicating Ted once more.

It could be problematic to involve him in this matter so close to the trial, as it’s uncertain if he would support the council or the prosecution’s stance. During the court proceedings, he explains his role and how the mismanagement that shrouded the decision on whether the contaminated land was ever suitable for redevelopment.

Eventually, Ted discloses that during his tenure with the council, he had highlighted numerous issues across various locations. He then elaborates on the safety measures that should have been implemented, such as fitting covers for trucks and regular washing of tires. In no uncertain terms, he states that they violated regulations in order to expedite the clearance of these sites for redevelopment.

Did the Toxic Town mothers win their claim?

Following Ted’s testimony, the judge deliberates over all the presented evidence and ultimately decides in favor of the Corby mothers, who were the claimants in this case.

Despite their joy over the outcome, Des and Roy engage in a heated disagreement regarding the condition of Corby and the choices Roy made earlier. Des questions Roy about when he seemed to forget that people require protection, causing Roy to reflect sadly on his own mistakes.

In the evening, a group of mothers assemble at the local tavern to toast their victory, and Susan has a tender exchange with Connor. She expresses her intention to locate Tracey following these events, despite her phone being unreachable, she’s confident about her whereabouts. Regarding the winnings, Susan confides in Connor that the entire sum is intended for his personal use, as he richly deserves it.

Subsequently, we observe Susan paying her respects at Shelby Anne’s grave by visiting Tracey, and during their conversation about the case, Susan acknowledges that they wouldn’t have prevailed without Tracey’s contribution. This moment is bittersweet as it signifies a long-fought battle for justice, but unfortunately, Tracey didn’t get to participate in the final resolution of the case, having passed away 13 years ago.

As I reflect on what lies ahead, we concur that our journey has reached its conclusion, and with a shared smile, we find ourselves in a warm embrace. The final scenes unfold, concluding with captions on screen: “In the year 2010, April, a settlement was struck between Corby Borough Council and the mothers. The total expense to CBC amounted to £14.6 million.

I had the privilege of being part of a groundbreaking legal case that marked the world’s first instance where a connection between harmful airborne substances and harm to unborn children was successfully established.

A recent study of data from the Environment Agency reveals that there are at least 21,000 former landfill sites scattered across England and Wales. Among these, as many as 1,287 may contain hazardous waste. Shockingly, 167 of these potentially harmful sites are situated beneath homes, businesses such as shops and restaurants, and an additional 4 are located under schools.

In Corby, no real individuals were charged with any criminal offenses regarding the events that took place there. The characters Pat Miller and Bill Martin, who are depicted as council leaders, are purely fictional. Roy Thomas is a composite character drawn from several men; unfortunately, none of these individuals lived to see their vision for Corby fully realized.

2025-02-27 16:12

Toxic Town’s Shocking Twist: Did the Mothers Get Justice?

Toxic Town ending explained: What happened to Susan and the rest of the Corby mothers?

Did the Toxic Town mothers win their claim?

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