'Vigil' fans want to know: is the masked person a killer or a saviour?!

Best BBC dramas includes Vigil
(Image credit: BBC/World Productions)

Vigil fans were left completely engrossed by Episode 4 last night as more dramatic discoveries were uncovered. But, the intense cliffhanger ending was what stunned viewers and left them impatiently waiting for the next episode.

As the show began to end, another crewmate met their gruesome end... Petty Officer Jackie Hamilton (Anita Vettesse), who was also the submarine’s chef. As DCI Amy Silva (Suranne Jones) shockingly stumbled across her body, a mysterious person wearing a gas mask charged towards her and tackled her to the ground, which left viewers coming up with their own theories as to who the masked attacker could be. Were they trying to save her? Or is DCI Silva about to fall victim to another attack?

While DCI Silva is eating breakfast, her attention is averted to Jackie when she overheard her talking about her son “getting out” and will be back home waiting for her. However, Jackie appeared to be nervous when she glanced over to DCI Silva.

DCI Silva is soon summoned for medical testing by Docherty (Anjli Mohindra) and informs the Captain (Paterson Joseph) that she may be having withdrawal symptoms from not taking her medication and therefore is in no fit state to do her job. The Captain believes this and a furious DCI Silva brings up the Port Havers incident, much to the dismay of the Captain, who then confines her to her quarters.

Meanwhile, more astonishing evidence was being discovered on-land, including a Russian spy, MI5 secrets, an American submarine tracking Vigil for an unknown reason, and a request for HMS Vigil to return to port immediately.

Later on, Jackie turned up to her quarters to give DCI Silva some food, which is when DCI Silva decided to question her about her son. “He made some bad choices. Teenage stuff. Got in some bother,” Jackie said. Despite showing that she understood her situation and that kids can make mistakes, DCI Silva had no luck in getting any answers from her as Jackie quickly cut in, “Sorry, love, I shouldnae be talking to you. I’ve left some extra pudding to cheer you up,” and rushed off.

This was enough to raise suspicion for DCI Silva and when Lt Commander Mark Prentice (Adam James) was searching for the Captain and instead found DCI Silva, she admitted that she doesn’t trust the Captain and that Prentice is the only one she can trust. She began to ask him more questions about Jackie’s son and Prentice revealed that her son was in prison in Indonesia on drug charges and is getting released one year into a ten-year prison sentence. DCI Silva explained that it’s strange that her son is being released just like that and that it doesn’t make sense.

Her odd behaviour led DCI Silva to secretly search Jackie’s quarters and discovered poisonous substance marks left on her bedding —the same that were found on Craig Burke’s (Martin Compston) body.

When DCI Silva confronted the Captain with her evidence, Jackie was summoned to the control room for questioning as a potential suspect in the murder of Craig Burke. Although Coxswain Glover (Shaun Evans) seemed concerned about Silva's interest in speaking to Jackie and resulted in him turning back and rushing off somewhere else.

After five minutes of Jackie being a no-show, DCI Silva became increasingly worried and went off to find her, which is when she found the horrific discovery of Jackie lying dead. 

She was then taken aback by a figure wearing a gas mask charging at her at a high speed and then tackling her to the ground. 

Intrigued viewers took to Twitter with their own theories on who the masked figure could be and what their intentions are with DCI Silva...

See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
See more
Grace Morris
Staff Writer

Grace is a digital writer with WhatToWatch.com, where she writes series guides, recaps and features for must-watch shows and delivers all the latest soap news and reactions. She graduated from Anglia Ruskin University in 2020 with a degree in Writing and Film Studies, which only made her love for creative writing, film and TV grow stronger.


You'll usually find her watching the drama unfold in the latest reality series or much-loved UK soaps (usually with chocolate by her side!). She's an expert in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Coronation Street and everything reality-related from Selling Sunset and Married At First Sight UK to 90 Day Fiancé UK. Plus Netflix megahit Virgin River!


Grace also likes to explore new places with her friends and family and, of course, watch and read about the latest films and TV series.