ZOLA: TRAINS - THE STORY SO FAR

In case you missed Saturday's episode, here's a very quick catch-up to get you up to speed for today.

Very short version:

Severine and Martin Roubaud have killed Grandmorin and they seem to have got away with it. Severine, however, is beginning an affair with Jacques Lantier, an engine driver; but he is battling with his psychopathic desires to hurt the women he loves - which is why he rejected the attentions of the servant girl, Flore.

Slightly longer version:

Severine (top left) is married to Martin Roubaud (above). But Martin discovers that, as a child, Severine was abused by Mr Grandmorin, the President of the railway company. In a rage, he and Severine decide to kill him. They get onto the night train, make their way into his private compartment and cut Grandmorin's throat. Taking his watch and money to make it look like an opportunistic robbery they throw him from the train.

The murder was witnessed by the engine driver, Jacques Lantier (top right). He's the man on the right. He only caught a glimpse as the train flashed by but he soon realises who the murderers were. The investigation goes cold and Jacques does not share what he knows. 

Jacques has his own dark secret: ever since he was a boy, when he felt desire for a woman, that desire was accompanied by a psychotic desire to murder. A servant girl called Flore lusts after Jacques but he does not dare reciprocate, for fear of what he might do. His affections are kept strictly for his engine, 'The Lady'.

Jacques and Severine start to feel things for each other. Jacques fears his old feelings will return but they don't. He dares to think that his psychopathic feelings are behind him. 

But Severine and Roubaud's marriage has grown cold, while Severine and Jacques can do nothing while she is married. They're stuck. What can they do?