Nicholas’ Storyline in Disclaimer Season 1: What You Need to Know

The fifth episode of the first season of Disclaimer premiered on Apple TV+ on October 25, 2024. This latest installment of the psychological thriller miniseries portrays Catherine grappling with the fallout from her past decisions as more individuals become aware of her history.

Catherine’s previous mistakes have come back to haunt her. By the conclusion of this episode, she has not only lost her family and her job, but also her credibility as a reputable journalist. Consequently, her son Nicholas is also facing severe repercussions.

Nicholas is going through a turbulent time of his own. In episode 5, Stephen discloses details about his mother’s history, leading Nicholas to struggle with the guilt associated with Jonathan’s death while attempting to save him, which drives him further into substance abuse.

Nicholas Becomes a Victim of Catfishing in Disclaimer Season 1

Previously, in episode 4, Stephen was seen setting up social media profiles for a young boy. In the most recent episode, it emerges that he has enlisted the help of a young man to establish an Instagram account under Jonathan’s name, his deceased son. This account is used to send a ‘follow’ request to Nicholas.

After Nicholas accepts the request, the two begin conversing. Nicholas unwittingly believes he is chatting with Jonathan, completely unaware that it’s Stephen pretending to be his late son. Stephen convincingly adopts a casual teenage persona, prompting Nicholas to open up to him.

During their conversation about various topics, Stephen skillfully steers the discussion towards The Perfect Stranger, a book detailing Catherine’s past. Having read it, Nicholas shares his perspectives on the female character.

In a striking moment of irony, Nicholas tells Jonathan (who is actually Stephen) that the mother in The Perfect Stranger is a self-centered figure whose reckless desires blind her to the dangers faced by her four-year-old son.

Sensing an opportunity, Stephen delivers a painful revelation; he informs Nicholas that the mother mentioned in the book is his own mom, and he himself is the child that Jonathan had risked his life to save.

To exacerbate the situation, Stephen sends compromising images of Catherine to Nicholas. Disturbed by seeing his mother in provocative poses, Nicholas is visibly shaken.

Nicholas’ Struggles with Substance Abuse Intensify

Throughout episode 5, Nicholas battles his addiction to drugs. There are scenes of him arriving at a heroin den equipped with his own kit. After discovering the unsettling truth about his mother and viewing the problematic photos, he finds himself overwhelmed by guilt, shame, and anger.

These tumultuous emotions lead Nicholas to outbursts; he is shown crying, kicking the book, yelling at his mother, and eventually returning to the heroin den in a distressed state, where he indulges in drugs once more.

As the episode approaches its conclusion, Catherine persistently tries to reach Nicholas. Meanwhile, he remains in the den, having recently used heroin. The final scene shows him collapsing onto a filthy mattress, wrapping himself in a tight ball with trembling arms, drifting off to sleep.

By the end of episode 5, it remains unclear whether Nicholas has experienced a drug overdose. However, it is evident that the revelations about his mother and his own identity through the deceitful Instagram persona of Jonathan may leave lasting psychological scars.

Who Portrays Nicholas in Disclaimer Season 1?

Nicholas is portrayed by Kodi Smit-McPhee, an Australian actor known for his roles in films such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), X-Men: Apocalypse (2016), Deadpool 2 (2018), and Elvis (2022). His television credits include Interrogation (2020) and The King (2007).

Nicholas Ravenscroft, a 25-year-old son of Robert and Catherine, has a strained relationship with his mother, while he feels more at ease with his father. Struggling with drug addiction and working at an electronics store, his life is profoundly affected by the truth about his mother’s past.

The next episode of Disclaimer season 1 is set to air on November 1, 2024.

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