The Slap Episode 1.08 Ritchie

Eager to follow up on Gary's promise to fix the damage from Thanasis' cross-examination, the DA contacts Gary about the supposed photos in Ritchie's possession and asks for clarification - why withhold this information until now? Gary emphasizes his long-held desire to keep Ritchie out of the whole ordeal... but the photos he snapped at the BBQ could turn the case around.

Ritchie himself suspects nothing and, at school, hears out a sincere apology from Connie. He thaws and accepts her remorse, and anecdotally mentions he deleted the photos anyway - which should end his involvement. But when Ritchie returns home, a detective from the DA's office arrives intent on securing the supposed photos. Ritchie complies without protest, noting that he deleted all the files.

At a dinner across town, Thanasis reveals a handful of photos that could inch their case further toward conviction, a scary proposition for Harry. Thanasis proceeds to offer not just a means to throw out the photos if they should arise, but a secondary guarantee for the defense - an unearthed detail about a cyberbullying incident that resulted in the suicide of Ritchie's boyfriend and the subsequent suicide attempt of Ritchie himself. With the uneasy cooperation of Harry, Thanasis leaks Ritchie's hidden past to a newspaper that refers to Ritchie as a "suicidal teen."

The effects on Ritchie are immediate - his classmates ostracize him, and not even a kind gesture from Connie manages to register once the official summons to appear in court arrives. His mom vows to petition the court, but, defeated, Ritchie announces he'll testify. His calm demeanor clashes with his actions, though, as he sneaks a wad of cash and a pain pill prescription on his way out the door.

He drops by Hector and Aisha's house to give Hector a present - it's a beautiful, black-and-white photo of Hector from his BBQ. Ritchie deflects Hector's incessant thanks and visits Gary and Rosie's next - only to find Hugo and his current babysitter. After a brief, kindhearted exchange with Hugo, Ritchie leaves a wrapped present for Gary in his studio - a framed photograph from Ritchie's recent exhibition at school.

But later, when Gary unwraps the gift, he discerns from the message on the back that Ritchie may have ill intensions. He rushes out to the location depicted in the photograph and finds Ritchie passed out on a bench, a pill bottle and alcohol on the ground. Gary calls an ambulance, and as he struggles to keep Ritchie awake, he apologizes for betraying Ritchie's trust and sending the DA to collect the BBQ photography.

Ritchie recovers and heads to the stand the next day. Tired but composed, he recalls the event in question with uncanny accuracy and explains his decision to delete the photos that would ostensibly determine the case. Ritchie describes that he deleted photos of everyone from the party, not just of the slap - he deleted shots of Hector and Connie's secret moment, of Gary's continuous drinking, of whispers and arguments, of Rosie drinking wine and breastfeeding. Soon enough, the judge returns her ruling... and finds Harry guilty of attempted assault of a minor in the third degree. She sentences him to time served, and turns her hand to Rosie and Gary - they should expect a visit from child services. It appears no one will remain unscarred.

Months later, the Apostolou families come together at Hector and Aisha's to celebrate the birth of Anouk's baby (except for Jamie, who, as Anouk describes it, "didn't work out"). Connie and Ritchie are also absent, both on separate tracks to college, but the big surprise comes in the form of Rosie, Gary and Hugo. Their arrival creates a palpable awkwardness... that Hugo ignores as he wanders over to Anouk and her baby. She feeds his curiosity and suggests he hold the baby, and calms Hugo's uncertainty with an assuring smile while she says.. "Don't worry, Hugo. He won't break."