'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIH/8QAFQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAgX/2gAMAwEAAhADEAAAAMjgcr//xAAeEAACAQQDAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAUREhQhUf/aAAgBAQABPwBs5PH37xlUvauEiHEaBIBBP2myMjkuYIdt7X//xAAWEQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQP/2gAIAQIBAT8Aoj//xAAVEQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAv/aAAgBAwEBPwC3/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The climax of Episode 8 of Happy Face presented a heartbreaking truth that finally solved the core enigma dogging Melissa Jesperson: Who murdered Heather? Throughout the series, Melissa was made to accept by her father, Keith Jesperson, who was a well-known serial killer, that he had killed Heather, a victim for whom an innocent man, Elijah, was falsely jailed.
Nevertheless, as Melissa dug deeper with her trusted ally Ivy, she learned a surprising reality that not only shattered her system of beliefs but also revealed the extent of manipulation by Keith. In the finale, Carl, the father of Heather's friend Cody and the owner of a local bar, was the killer.
The admission, secretly recorded by Melissa on film, revealed Carl's all-consuming affair with Heather and his jealous, violent outburst when she rebuffed him. The twist didn't only create closure for Heather's family—it was a turning point for Melissa, as well, cutting her last emotional cord to her father.
Trending
The conclusion of Happy Face also teased out some of the possibilities for a future second season, including ongoing threats from Keith and a bright future for Melissa and Ivy as true crime sleuths.
Carl was Heather's actual killer, not Keith Jesperson
Despite Keith's manipulations and coerced confession, Melissa and Ivy's persistence caused them to go over the evidence again. The central clue was a football jacket that Heather was wearing the night she was killed, which was traced back to Cody O'Neill.
Their investigation pointed toward Cody, who showed signs of guilt and nervousness but turned out not to be the killer. The biggest surprise came when Cody's father, Carl, confronted Melissa while drunk and confessed to the crime.
Carl admitted he had an affair with Heather years before and, when she tried to end it, he became fixated. Jealous, particularly after witnessing her and Elijah together, Carl stalked her and ultimately murdered her in a fit of drunken rage. His confession, recorded on Melissa's phone, at last cleared Elijah of suspicion.
Carl himself died soon afterward, overcome with guilt and terror of being discovered. This turn of events not only explained Heather's fatal conclusion but also served to explain the ripple effects of unrequited obsession and concealment.
Melissa confronts Keith for one final goodbye the Happy Face finale
Following Carl's confession in the Happy Face finale, Melissa was informed that Keith had had a heart attack. Emotionally numb, she chose to confront him for the last time—this time, however, not as a daughter looking for explanations, but as a survivor demanding responsibility.
Keith tried to rationalize his deception by stating that he wanted to make Melissa famous, claiming that his false confession would launch her into fame. Melissa, now freed from his manipulative influence, recognized his egotistic reasons.
She challenged him on the childhood abuse she endured and brought up the women he'd killed—specters he'd said he'd see but would employ only to garner sympathy. Melissa stated that his punishment would be isolation only, shutting him out of her world entirely.
She gave the same warning to Gillian, a reminder to Keith that he'd employed her as a pawn. This conflict was the emotional high point of Happy Face, symbolizing Melissa's release from her father's mental grip.
New beginnings and lingering threats
Though Melissa finally got justice for Heather and closure for herself, the Happy Face finale did leave open the possibility for future battles. Ben, consumed by guilt and drunk fury, had texted prison guard Chevy to have Keith murdered. Although he attempted to call off the hit, it may have been too late.
Keith was stricken by a heart attack before another prisoner could complete the hit, but the experience left him suspicious. Keith phoned Ben afterwards, letting him know that he understood what had occurred. The dark undertone to his voice made it seem possible that he might try to take revenge, either from prison or through outside sources.
On a more positive note, Ivy and Melissa got the go-ahead from Dr. Gregg to begin their true crime segment. Melissa broke the news on the air, thrilled to seek justice for others while using her traumatic history as fuel.
In the meantime, Hazel finally gained the courage to confront Josh after being emotionally manipulated. Due to Melissa's inspiring words of advice, Hazel regained her self-esteem and publicly embarrassed Josh for his dishonesty.
Happy Face is streaming on Paramount+.
