The episode opens the day before Ruth Ellis (Lucy Boynton) is to be executed for the murder of David Blakely (Laurie Davidson). She gives Victor Mischon (Arthur Darvill) a statement that outlines her life after her miscarriage. In a flashback, Blakely expresses his desire to be awakened by her snores for the rest of his life. Turning to face him, she grunts in pain. He says they will start with a clean slate. She asks him to promise. He seals his promise but when 8pm rolls around, he doesn’t show up. She calls the Findlater residence. A woman answers the phone and says Blakely isn’t there. Ruth dials the number again and Anthony Findlater (Ed Sayer) answers. She asks who is the girl. He claims Blakely isn’t there and ends the call. Desmond Cussen (Mark Stanley) drives her to the Findlater residence. Carole Findlater (Bessie Carter) denies Blakely is there. Ruth says his car is in the driveway and accuses her of setting Blakely up with the girl. Carole tells her that their relationship is over and calls her a mess. After everything she gave up for him, Ruth refuses to let him walk away without talking to her. Carole shuts the door in her face. Desmond pulls her away from the door and asks if Blakely has been staying at the flat he rented for her. Blakely and Anthony watch from an upper-floor window as Desmond forces Ruth into his car. In the present, Ruth tells Victor that she spent the night thinking about the last two years of her life and the rage built up inside her.
In a flashback, Ruth goes to Desmond’s place. Irate, she wishes Blakely was dead, so that she could be free. He says they could be free together before placing a gun on the table. She denies any knowledge of how to use a gun. He agrees to show her. In the present, Victor leaves a message for the undersecretary of state that there will be no execution tomorrow. Later, Philip Allen (Geoffrey Streatfield) reminds him that his expertise is divorce, not criminal law. He refuses to guarantee a postponement of the execution. Upset, Allen Ruth was given less time between conviction and execution than it takes to get a divorce. He insists Scottland Yard be instructed to find the undersecretary. Elsewhere, DCI Davies (Joe Armstrong) and DI Gill (Adam Lawrence) call Desmond’s office but he is already gone for the day. Gill reminds Davies that he said Ruth pulled the trigger and assures him that he did everything right. At Holloway Prison, Jacqueline Dyer (Audrey Brisson) tells Ruth that she isn’t a coward. Ruth admits to being terrified. They touch hands through the glass. They reminisce about their past experiences. Jacqueline offers to get a confession from Desmond and turn it over to the police. Ruth says Davies is handling it and Desmond will be arrested tonight.
Victor criticizes John Bickford (Toby Jones) for not speaking out about Desmond giving Ruth the gun. Intoxicated, Bickford tells him that Ruth made him promise to keep it quiet and his aim was to prove she was provoked. Victor asks if he made a deal with Desmond. Bickford suggests he lacked the courage to stand up to the “English Machine,” threatened by Ruth. Victor urges him to help save her. Bickford says it is too late. Upon arriving at the prison, Albert Pierrepoint (Tim Potter) encounters an angry mob. Ruth tells Muriel Jakubait (Maddy Hill) that she kept quiet about Desmond until he reneged on his promise to care for Andre Ellis (Sidney Jackson). Bertha Neilson (Amanda Drew), Arthur Neilson (Tony Wadham), and Muriel feel optimistic about Ruth’s statement. Arthur boasts of the media camping out in front of their house. Bertha says there is enough money from well-wishers for her and Andre to start a new life. Chants from supporters can be heard throughout the night. Pierrepoint looks through the bean hole at Ruth. He meticulously lays his clothes on the bed. Elsewhere, Desmond invites a woman to go out of town with him. Ellis paces around her cell.
Jayveer Sethia (Advait Kottary) asks Gill and Davies why they aren’t trying to find Desmond. Gill says Ruth deserves to hang for shooting Blakely in the back. Davies tells him to shut up and claims they searched for Desmond who doesn’t want to be found. Elsewhere, Jacqueline asks Morris Conley (Christian Patterson) if he knows where Desmond is. He says Ruth should have come to him because he would have relished it. He complains about how her actions ruined them. She pleads with him to help her find Desmond. A short time later, Jacqueline finds Desmond at his flat. He says Ruth is lying to save herself. She urges him to confess to show Ruth how much he loves her. He assures her that she never loved him. She asks if he gave her the gun to hurt them both. He gives her cash for Andre before leaving with a woman. She tries to stop him but he threatens her. Later, Jacqueline tells Ruth what happened. In a flashback, Desmond shows Ruth how to use the gun. She fires a shot. Andre approaches. She orders him to get back in the car. In the present, Jacqueline tells Ruth that Andre is a witness. Ruth fears he will blame himself if his statement is ineffective. In a flashback, Desmond vows to take care of Andre. A short time later, she touches up her makeup, emerges from the car, and walks toward Magdala. Desmond intervenes when a passerby asks Ruth if she is okay. He assures Ruth that she can do it. She waits for Clive Gunnel (Jack Staddon) and Blakely to emerge from the restaurant. She calls his name. He looks at her and goes to unlock his door. She draws the gun, cocks it, and aims it at him. Frantic, he tries to run but she shoots him. He falls to the ground and tries to crawl away. She shoots him twice at point-blank range. Clive rushes over to Blakely lying on the ground. After seeing everything, Desmond hurries away. Ruth puts the gun to her temple and drops it to her side.
In the present, Victor tells Ruth there are recorded and written versions of her statement. In the recorded version, she asks Desmond for a gun. She denies saying it and suggests they want it to end. She asks him to tell Bertha to send Andre away with the Rogers. The crowd outside chants a prayer. Ruth begins to panic. Joy Okoro (Gloria Obianyo) escorts Ruth to the prison yard and gives her a beer. Ruth claims to have liked her time there because they have been kind to her. Allen calls the prison. Charity Taylor (Juliet Stevenson) informs Ruth that it has been decided that she will be executed tomorrow. With seven hours before her execution, Ruth calmly says it is all right. Frustrated, Victor calls Allen and demands to speak with the home secretary. Allen claims the home secretary said if Ruth isn’t executed tomorrow, she never will be.
In 1955 at 6am, Pierrepoint gets dressed. Ruth takes a bath. A crowd gathers outside the prison. A short time later, Joy brings Ruth her Hardy Aimes outfit. Ruth recalls Bertha’s response when she saw it. Jayveer apologizes to Jacqueline for being unable to publish the story. She urges him to speak with Andre if he wants evidence. At 8am, Joy delivers a tray to Ruth. Hearing Pierreoint’s commotion, Ruth nearly knocks over her teacup. Taylor informs the Under Sheriff (Simon Robson) that a woman claiming to be with the home secretary’s office called to say there is a reprieve but it cannot be verified. Ruth places her glasses on the table. Believing it is a hoax, Taylor orders the execution to move forward. Ruth gets anxious when Pierrepoint enters the room and restrains her hands with a belt. She is escorted to the death chamber. Pierrepoint promises not to hurt her and places a hood over her head. She breathes heavily under the hood. At 9am, the hatch is opened. The crowd gathered outside the prison goes quiet.
IN 1972, Bickford confessed to withholding evidence of Desmond’s involvement in Blakely’s murder. No penalty was imposed. He was allegedly haunted by it until he died of alcoholism in 1977. Desmond never confessed and relocated to Australia where he died in 1991. Capital punishment was abolished in the United Kingdom in 1965.
A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story Review
A failed opportunity to tell Ellis’ story to the fullest extent. For nearly four hours, the story bounces between present-day scenes and flashbacks. The content is rehashed from episode to episode. Lee Haven Jones was confused as how best to portray a murderess. Jones’ portrayal of Ellis constantly alternated between villain and victim throughout the show.
Ruth Ellis Neilson was born on October 9, 1926, in Rhyl, Denbighshire. She had five siblings, including her oldest sister, Muriel, who was sexually abused and impregnated by their father, Arthur. Bertha, also Arthur’s victim, turned a blind eye to the abuse. The police questioned Arthur on several occasions but no charges were ever brought. When Ruth was 11, she became his next victim.
The series leaves a lot to be desired. The episode deserves a 4.5 out of 10. Get more A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story recaps here. See what others are saying here. Learn more about our advertising packages by clicking here. Support our site by clicking the link.