‘Bodies’: Complex ending of time-travel puzzle EXPLAINED – Times of India

In the mind-bending crime series ‘Bodies’, the mystery surrounding a dead body found in Longharvest Lane becomes an intricate web of time travel and conspiracy. The series follows Detective Shahara Hasan, (portrayed by Amaka Okafor) in present-day London, who stumbles upon a dead, naked body of an unidentified man with a bullet hole through his eye socket, setting the stage for a perplexing tale that spans multiple eras.
As the narrative unfolds, Detective Alfred Hillinghead (Kyle Soller) encounters the same body in the same location in 1890, followed by Detective Charles Whiteman (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) in 1941, and Detective Iris Maplewood (Shira Haas) in 2053.
Each detective draws closer to the truth, becoming unwitting participants in a decades-long conspiracy that threatens the very fabric of London itself. The question remains, can they join forces and save the city before it’s too late?
Is “Bodies” about Time Travel?
If you found yourself bewildered during the initial episodes of “Bodies,” you’re not alone. The series delves into the intricate realm of time travel, connecting seemingly disjointed narratives and characters across different eras. In this feature, we break down the mind-bending ending, shedding light on the enigmatic web of interconnected events.
At its core, “Bodies” revolves around time travel, and it becomes progressively evident as the story unfolds. The enigma surrounding the recurring corpse, discovered across various decades, is intricately linked to this concept. Multiple characters are engaged in time travel, each motivated by distinct objectives, yet all connected to the mysterious corpse.
One man, the enigmatic Commander Elias Mannix, embarks on a mission to establish a cult that will ultimately facilitate his absolute dominance. Concurrently, other characters endeavor to thwart the impending tragedy that Mannix seeks to set in motion.

Who is Julian Harker?
A pivotal character in the series is Sir Julian Harker, a member of London’s elite who resides with his mother in the 1890s. Detective Hillinghead encounters this historical figure during his investigation of the initial appearance of the mysterious body. However, the real Harker met his demise in a Burmese conflict in the 1880s. The true identity of Julian Harker is assumed by Commander Elias Mannix, a future authoritarian leader who travels back in time from 2053 to 1889.
Under the guise of Julian Harker, Mannix lays the foundation for a cult that will play a pivotal role in orchestrating a catastrophic London bombing in 2023. Teenager Elias, his future self in 2023, is slated to carry out this devastating act, resulting in the loss of half a million lives. Following the tragedy, Mannix aspires to ascend as the “Executive,” the leader of the society that emerges in the post-bombing era.
Mannix nurtures the belief that this act will earn him the love and adoration he desires, encapsulated in his cult’s slogan, “know you are loved.”
The Body on Longharvest Lane
The body discovered on Longharvest Lane belongs to Gabriel Defoe, a man hailing from 2053. In the year 2053, he leads Chapel Perilous, a group dedicated to preventing Mannix from executing the bomb plot in 2023 and assuming control of the country.
What is ‘The Throat’?
The Throat serves as a time-travel device that Defoe has been developing in 2053. This enigmatic contraption relies on a fictional scientific concept, the “Deutsche particle,” to manipulate particles and propel them backward in time.
The Climactic Ending
In the series’ climactic conclusion, Mannix’s time-travel actions are revealed to have set in motion a continuous loop, reinforcing the sequence of events leading to the impending bombing. The detectives recognize that the loop must be dissolved to avert catastrophe. Characters from various timelines join forces to thwart Mannix’s plans.
Maplewood embarks on a journey to 1890, aiming to disrupt the formation of the loop and alter the timelines. Hillinghead confronts Mannix/Harker, conveying that the promised future won’t come to pass. Mannix entrusts a secret recording to Detective Whitehead, aimed at preventing teenage Mannix from detonating the bomb. Detective Hasan plays a pivotal role in delivering this crucial recording to Mannix in 2023.
Ultimately, Mannix is erased from all timelines, leading to the destruction of the loop that had perpetuated the impending disaster.
Will the bomb be triggered?
It seems like that the bomb will remain undetonated. Tteenage Elias, upon hearing the persuasive recording from his older self, has discarded the key to the detonator, signifying a deliberate decision to avert the catastrophe.
Will “Bodies” have a second season?
As of now, there have been no official announcements regarding a second season of the series. The limited series concludes its initial mystery in a manner that both captivates and challenges viewers, offering a complex exploration of time, reality, and human nature.