The second episode of The Breakthrough (Genombrottet) delves deeper into the ongoing investigation of a haunting double murder case, intertwining moments of hope, tension, and personal turmoil.

The story picks up with the police releasing a facial composite of the suspected killer, created based on Karin’s recovered memories through hypnosis. While some members of the investigative team are skeptical of the composite’s vagueness, lead investigator John Sundin insists on making it public, hoping it might spark valuable leads. However, the decision is met with concern during a press conference, as journalists question whether it could provoke the killer to strike again. The fear and unease within the community remain palpable.

The relentless pressure of the case continues to take a toll on John’s personal life. His wife, Anna, decides to leave with their infant son, Henry, to stay with her parents. She feels that John’s obsession with the case has left no room for his family, highlighting the personal sacrifices he has made in pursuit of justice.

Meanwhile, new tensions arise with the introduction of Ante, a young football player whose behavior has taken a troubling turn. Ante’s aggressive outburst at a local pizza place, marked by racist remarks, raises eyebrows. His football coach notices a shift in Ante’s demeanor and grows suspicious after discovering a controversial flag on Ante’s wall and learning that he had avoided the DNA testing conducted on the team the previous year. These details add a layer of unease, suggesting that Ante may be connected to the case or harboring secrets of his own.

As the investigation nears its sixteenth year, John faces mounting pressure from his superiors to transfer the case to the cold case unit. With thousands of DNA swabs and interviews yielding no results, the department struggles to justify further resources. Despite this, John remains steadfast in his commitment to solving the murders, unwilling to let the case slip into obscurity.

A potential breakthrough emerges when John learns about the Golden State Killer case being solved using genetic genealogy. Inspired, he attends a lecture by DNA genealogy expert Per Skogkvist, who confidently claims he can solve any case with DNA evidence. Per explains how he builds family trees to trace suspects, sparking hope in John. He approaches Per for assistance, and while Per agrees, he reveals an ulterior motive—he wants to create a DNA database and enlists John’s help in gathering more samples. Despite ethical concerns about the legality of such methods, John sees this as a chance to revive the case and finally achieve justice.

The episode also explores the emotional toll on the victims’ families. Adnan’s family decides to leave Linköping, unable to endure the constant reminders of their loss. John’s career-long dedication to the case has cost him dearly, straining his marriage and his relationship with his son.

The narrative juxtaposes John’s unwavering determination with institutional fatigue, illustrating the personal and professional challenges of pursuing justice. His collaboration with Per represents a desperate, albeit controversial, effort to breathe new life into the investigation. Per’s confident belief in DNA genealogy offers a glimmer of hope, but his focus on building a DNA database raises significant ethical questions about privacy and consent.

The episode closes with a mix of optimism and uncertainty. While Per’s methods may hold the key to solving the case, the ethical dilemmas and potential risks loom large. Ante’s troubling behavior adds a layer of suspense, suggesting the killer may still be at large within the community. With the stakes higher than ever, John’s pursuit of justice feels both urgent and precarious, leaving viewers eager to see how the story unfolds.

Video Recap: