Dead Hot is a Netflix series based on Harlan Coben’s novel The Woods. It is a thriller with a queer twist, as it follows the lives of four gay men who are connected by a series of murders. The show has a shocking and satisfying ending, but also leaves some questions unanswered. In this article, we will explain the ending of Dead Hot and what really happened to Peter, one of the main characters.
Recap of Dead Hot
The show revolves around Elliot, a successful lawyer who is haunted by the disappearance of his sister and three friends in the woods 25 years ago. He believes they were killed by a serial killer known as the Brutalizer, who was never caught. Elliot’s life is turned upside down when he receives a mysterious message from someone claiming to be his sister.
Elliot teams up with his childhood friend and former lover, Peter, to find out the truth. Along the way, they encounter Francine, a journalist who is investigating the Brutalizer, and Andrew, a handsome actor who becomes Elliot’s love interest. However, not everything is as it seems, and Elliot soon realizes that he can trust no one.
The Ending of Dead Hot
The final episode of Dead Hot reveals the shocking identity of the Brutalizer: Elliot’s aunt Bonnie, who raised him after his parents died. Bonnie is a twisted and manipulative woman who has been killing people for decades, using different methods and disguises. She targeted Elliot’s sister and friends because they were gay, and she hated homosexuality.
Bonnie also orchestrated a complex scheme to lure Elliot into a trap. She hired Andrew, an aspiring actor, to seduce Elliot and gain his trust. She also sent Elliot the message from his sister, using a voice changer and a burner phone. She wanted Elliot to suffer, as she blamed him for her husband’s death. She planned to kill Elliot and Andrew in the woods, where she had buried the bodies of her previous victims.
However, Elliot manages to escape from Bonnie’s clutches, with the help of Peter and Francine. They confront Bonnie in the woods, where she confesses her crimes and reveals her motives. She also admits that she had an accomplice, who helped her dispose of the bodies and cover up the evidence. She refuses to name her accomplice, and shoots herself in the head, ending her reign of terror.
What Happened to Peter?
Peter is one of the most sympathetic and likable characters in the show. He is Elliot’s childhood friend and former lover, who still has feelings for him. He is also a successful doctor, who works at a hospital and runs a clinic for LGBTQ+ youth. He is kind and generous, and always tries to help Elliot and others.
However, Peter also has a dark side. He is addicted to gambling, and owes a lot of money to a loan shark. He is desperate to pay off his debt, and decides to blackmail Francine, who is secretly the daughter of a wealthy and influential politician. Peter knows that Francine has been investigating the Brutalizer, and has evidence that could expose her father’s involvement in a corruption scandal. Peter threatens to reveal Francine’s identity and her father’s crimes, unless she pays him a large sum of money.
Unfortunately, Peter’s plan backfires. Francine agrees to meet Peter at his apartment, but she brings along Christina, a mysterious woman who works for her father. Christina is a ruthless and cold-blooded assassin, who kills anyone who poses a threat to Francine’s father. She shoots Peter in the chest, and leaves him to die. She also takes Francine’s evidence, and sets fire to Peter’s apartment, to destroy any traces of their presence.
Peter’s death is a tragic and shocking twist, as he was one of the main characters and Elliot’s closest ally. He died without knowing the truth about his sister and friends, and without reconciling with Elliot. His death also leaves a void in Elliot’s life, as he loses his best friend and his first love.
Unanswered Questions and Speculations
The ending of Dead Hot wraps up most of the major plot points, but also leaves some questions unanswered and some room for speculations. Here are some of the unresolved issues and possible theories:
- The fates of other characters: The show does not reveal what happens to some of the other characters, such as Francine, Andrew, and the loan shark. Francine is last seen being kidnapped by Christina, who presumably takes her to her father. It is unclear if Francine survives, or if she manages to expose her father’s crimes. Andrew is last seen being arrested by the police, after Elliot exposes his role in Bonnie’s scheme. It is unknown if Andrew faces any charges, or if he redeems himself. The loan shark is last seen threatening Peter, and demanding his money. It is unknown if he ever finds out about Peter’s death, or if he targets anyone else.
- The identity of the Brutalizer’s accomplice: Bonnie admits that she had an accomplice, who helped her with her killings and cover-ups. She refuses to name her accomplice, and kills herself before revealing any clues. The show does not give any hints about who the accomplice could be, or what their motive was. Some possible candidates are: Andrew, who was hired by Bonnie to seduce Elliot; Francine’s father, who was involved in a corruption scandal and had connections to the police; or someone else who has not been introduced in the show.
- The motives behind the Brutalizer’s actions: Bonnie explains that she killed Elliot’s sister and friends because they were gay, and she hated homosexuality. She also says that she blamed Elliot for her husband’s death, and wanted him to suffer. However, these motives seem too simplistic and shallow, and do not explain why she killed so many other people, using different methods and disguises. There must be something deeper and darker behind Bonnie’s psyche, that drove her to become a serial killer. Perhaps she had a traumatic past, or a mental disorder, or a twisted sense of justice, that influenced her actions.
- The overall themes and messages of the show: Dead Hot is a show that explores various themes and messages, such as: the impact of trauma and loss on one’s life; the importance of friendship and love in overcoming adversity; the dangers of secrets and lies; the complexity of human nature and morality; the representation and empowerment of LGBTQ+ people; and the critique of social issues and injustices, such as homophobia, corruption, and violence. The show invites the viewers to reflect on these topics, and to question their own beliefs and values.
Conclusion
Dead Hot is a thrilling and captivating series, that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. It has a surprising and satisfying ending, that reveals the identity of the Brutalizer and the fate of Peter. It also leaves some questions unanswered and some room for speculations, that add to the intrigue and mystery of the show. Dead Hot is a show that is worth watching, and discussing, for its plot, characters, and themes.
