The plot of Nemesis has escalated dramatically by the time we reach the Season 8 finale, “Zugzwang.” Coltrane Wilder and Isaiah Stiles, the central antagonists, now have a multitude of additional adversaries. In the previous episode, Coltrane eliminated Amos for the perceived indiscretion of being a potential liability. Meanwhile, Candace, taking on the role of an amateur detective, used a bugged necklace to record her former friend Ebony’s confession of conspiracy. As the LAPD finally issues an arrest warrant for Coltrane, Isaiah discovers his son is armed and on the hunt for the man who murdered his grandfather before his eyes. Noah has transformed into his own brand of vengeance, targeting Coltrane as his adversary.
Detective Isaiah Stiles has faced unjust treatment from his department. His relentless pursuit of justice, though legitimate, led to his arrest, temporary suspension, and continuous criticism, even as the department’s leadership moves forward. “To hell with Noah Stiles and his deranged father. If Wilder was indeed the fourth gunman in Century City, he’s a cop killer, and that headline will secure our promotions when he’s apprehended,” expresses one deputy chief. Captain Seales, a mentor and father figure to Isaiah, is appalled by the department’s stance. It’s not just about defending Isaiah’s integrity; the deputy chief’s remarks, coupled with Malik prioritizing his career over justice through a blackmail text, erode trust in the law enforcement hierarchy.
Coltrane Wilder faces betrayal from within his own ranks as well. While in police custody, Ebony calls Charlie’s spa service front to leave a cryptic message, advising Coltrane to skip town. Meanwhile, Charlie sends a text to Harper: “New target.” Coltrane has become expendable. On a hill overlooking the city, surrounded by oil derricks, Coltrane and Harper engage in a brutal fight. Coltrane executes a seemingly effortless neck-snap maneuver to eliminate the immediate threat to his life. However, this resolution may only be temporary. Will Charlie persist in her efforts to eliminate her brother-in-law?
The tension continues to escalate, particularly between former allies. As Ebony prepares to flee, she encounters Candace at the Wilder residence, where Candace has discovered their illicit operations hotline. Their confrontation is abruptly interrupted by a cartel hit squad. Unbeknownst to Isaiah Stiles, when he made a desperate plea to Miguel Álvarez — “I need you to kill Coltrane Wilder” — he inadvertently placed his wife in the line of fire.
Out of custody and packing to flee, Ebony finds Candace in the Wilder home, where she has found their doin’ crimes satellite hotline. The women fight, but their scrap is cut short by a cartel hit squad. Little did Isaiah Stiles know, when he made a final, desperate deal with Miguel Álvarez – “I need you to kill Coltrane Wilder” – that his wife would be caught in the crossfire.
And this is crazy – we said Nemesis has spun way, way out – but the cartel shooters kidnap the wrong lady. They are using Candace as bait for Trane, not Ebony, but he doesn’t know that, and after killing Harper he takes out the cartel platoon to save her. Candace is mortified at Coltrane’s words. That it was her police detective husband who sent the hitters.
Noah’s still on a solo kill Coltrane mission. Isaiah’s trying and failing to either stop the cartel hit so he can arrest Trane instead, and also looking for Noah. And Candace, with her heartbreak and confusion over Isaiah’s actions – “I don’t know who he is anymore” – has run to the arms of Malik.
But wait, there’s more crazy! This whole season of Nemesis was compounding, sometimes scene by scene, and in its final moments, it breaks this format wide open. Ebony was brought to the hospital under police supervision after the fight and cartel scare at her house, and Charlie has orchestrated an elaborate ruse to bust her out. Her crew of women specialists, including Tanya from the mansion heist in Episode 1, move Ebony from hospital bed to waiting ambulance right under the noses of the cops on duty, and Charlie is there for her sister. “Wheels up in 20 minutes, there is a doctor on the plane. You and your baby will be fine.” Funny how she doesn’t mention Trane.
Trane, whose run leads him to a confluence of people trying to either put him in prison, or the morgue. The cartel warriors have cornered him on a random sidestreet, and open fire. Noah and his Crip pals have arrived from a different direction, and also start shooting. And Stiles rolls up, leaps out of the Charger, and chases Trane on foot, who is already being chased by Noah and a cartel gunman.
Isaiah’s obsession. Every decision he made, legal or not. The marital separation. The challenges in his home life. All of the men close to him who died, from Manny Shaw to Amos Stiles. It’s all flashing before his eyes as he sees the cartel guy shoot Noah in the leg, and Coltrane Wilder – his quarry! His nemesis! He’s finally right there! – cornered against an alley fence. Isaiah must choose to save Noah, or continue the chase. “Only two options! You make the call!” And wisely, he chooses his son. Season 1 of Nemesis ends with neither prison nor the morgue for Coltrane Wilder. The masterful crimer is still on the loose and on the run.
Cops & Robbers for Episode 8 of Nemesis (“Zugzwang”):
- Nemesis Season 1 soundtrack album when? Episode 8 drives to its wild conclusion with the Sofi Tukker remix of Nina Simone’s “Sinnerman.”
- “In conflict, I got you to come back.” We don’t know yet about a Nemesis Season 2, but we’re definitely hoping. In the meantime, check out this really interesting interview with series co-creator Courtney A. Kemp. Those burning-question, real-time endings of each episode? She was brilliantly gaming how we even watch Netflix shows.
- We’ll also pitch a few Nemesis Season 2 storylines. We’d love to see some flashback action, delving into Ebony and Charlie’s lives as career criminals from birth. We also want to read more of Coltrane Wilder’s journal. His philosophies on that thief life. And in the present, as Nemesis ends with both Trane and Ebony running free, we want to see what winning looks like, and whether it’s a victory at all.
Johnny Loftus (@johnnyloftus.bsky.social) is a Chicago-based writer. A veteran of the alternative weekly trenches, his work has also appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Pitchfork, The All Music Guide, and The Village Voice.