How does the killer fool Nathan Blythe's task force in Countdown Episode 12? Details explored ahead of highly anticipated finale 

To say that Countdown's penultimate episode was eventful would be an understatement, as Todd, Nathan Blythe's task force's latest killer, took his first victim and got a step ahead of his hunting party.

The latest episode of Countdown opened in Kern County, where California Governor George Shelby's press secretary, Hope Miller, is shot in the head at a gas station. Once Nathan Blythe's task force arrived on the scene of the murder, they learned that the murder was so quick that the gas station clerk practically had no clue about Todd's whereabouts.

While the task force managed to make a breakthrough and reach close to their killer in Countdown Episode 12, it was all an elaborate setup to fool them and expose their identities. The penultimate episode ended with Todd chasing away (once again), but now, he recognises the enemy chasing him down.

More on this in our story.

Task Force's supposed breakthrough in Countdown Episode 12

While Mark and Oliveras still had no clue about Todd's whereabouts or any detail that could be considered a breakthrough in the case, a mysterious phone call from CHP State Trooper Tooks to Keyonte Bell gave them a new direction. Thanks to Tooks' keen eye, he pointed out that Todd was not fishing anything (Governor's schedule) in Hope's car, but was actually planting something there.

Bell wasted no time in contacting Finau to search for the hidden thing in Hope's car, which led to a breakthrough in Countdown Episode 12. Finau found something stuck on the inside of the car, which turned out to be a secret note. Upon scanning the note, Shepherd told the team that the note contained Todd's signature on the back of a flyer. A quick search of the flyer and Mark's task force discovered that Raising Bane, a bar in Bradbury, will be hosting a concert that evening. Thinking that this is their perfect chance to catch the killer, Oliveras and Bell geared up to go undercover, unaware that they were actually entering the lion's den.

The killer's 'signature' move in Countdown Episode 12

While Oliveras and Bell went to the concert as undercover cops, Mark and Finau also managed to squeeze in. However, even when Oliveras and Bell created a scene, bar owner Mike Collins didn't bat an eye because he revealed that Todd had promised to give him a grand for delivering an envelope to the undercover cops.

Oliveras and Bell still didn't back out of their cover, but Mark realised that something was off about the place. Not only did it have no CCTV cameras, but he also saw a man (probably the killer) taking photographs of Oliveras and Bell. While Mark and the task force chased after him, Todd and his accomplices managed to escape, now aware of the party hunting after him.

Countdown Episode 12 ended with Oliveras opening the envelope and finding these haunting words from their killer:

"Only death can stop me.''

And just like that, Mark's task force suffered a major setback, with their identities exposed in front of their killer and the game officially begun for the Countdown finale.

Countdown Episode 12 proved that the killer is always one step ahead of them, and the signature and flyer planted in Hope's car were all a part of his elaborate plan. This was done to learn about Mark and his team's identities and send them on a wild goose chase, which he did successfully.

The penultimate episode has set the bar for a gripping finale, which will likely feature the ultimate showdown between Todd and Mark's task force. With the veil between both parties officially taken down for good, it is just a matter of time before Todd makes his next big move and closes in on the real target.

Tune into the Countdown Season 1 finale on Amazon Prime Video on September 3, 2025.

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