The Game continued on Channel 5 with episode 2, and Huw and Patrick's cat-and-mouse relationship reached scary new heights - here's our recap of what happened.

Patrick, who could or could not (but probably is) The Ripton Stalker, buzzed like a wasp in Huw's peripheral vision. His perpetual taunting about his age and retirement reached new heights, or lows in this case.

At the end of The Game episode 2, Patrick appeared to admit he was The Ripton Stalker, but was Huw simply drunk - or, worse, drugged? Here's what we learnt in the latest instalment of the Channel 5 thriller.

***Warning: spoilers from The Game on Channel 5 episode 2 ahead***

What happened in The Game episode 2 on Channel 5?

In the second instalment of the Channel 5 thriller, Huw’s obsession grew - despite his wife Alice's desperate pleas for him to forget about The Ripton Stalker.

Visiting Patrick's repair shop, Huw was alarmed to see a familiar statue amongst the items, which led him back to Ruth - the only victim who managed to get away alive. But Huw's ill-thought-out-plan to use her as bait to get to the truth about Patrick's identity had devastating consequences.

Crucially, the episode ended with Patrick apparently confessing his guilt to being The Ripton Stalker, when he told Huw: "It's me. Of course it's me."

Who is Ruth Parker?

Ruth Parker (Christina Bennington in The Game cast) was one of The Ripton Stalker's victims. In fact, the only one to ever get away, thanks to Huw.

During a conversation between them, Ruth said: "I'd be dead if it wasn't for you. He was in my house, hiding in my wardrobe. You chased him."

During The Game episode 2, Huw continued to investigate Patrick by visiting his repair shop. Once there, he saw Patrick's latest project, a doll's house that had a bedroom with what seemed to be an exact replica of Ruth's house - complete with a ballerina statue.

Huw subsequently visited Ruth under the illusion of checking up on her. But in fact, he went on to use her as bait to see if she recognised Patrick. When Ruth discovered the real reason Huw took her to Patrick's shop, she was understandably very upset. In fact, she went to the police station to report Huw's actions. Oh Huw, what a mess!

The Game episode 2 recap: Did The Ripton Stalker kill Ruth?

Later that night, DS Jenny Atkins arrived at Huw's house to tell him to stay away from Ruth - which he didn't. He rather stupidly went to her house to apologise, but she didn't answer the door.

Moments later, a hidden figure attacked Ruth in her home. But will she survive to tell the tale? And will The Ripton Stalker set Huw up to look responsible? After all, he was banging on her door just moments before...

At the very least, Huw seemed to have led The Ripton Stalker right to Ruth's door...

Did Patrick really just confess to being The Ripton Stalker?

Patrick really did seem to confess at the end of The Game episode 2. But did Huw really hear him correctly, or was he just drunk on self-pity and whiskey? After an argument with his wife and daughter, and a failed attempt to see Ruth, Huw tried to drink his sorrows away.

When he returned to his street, he saw Patrick's door wide open. Odd? Yes. A trap? Probably.

Already drunk enough, Huw accepted Patrick's invitation to stay and have a drink - and we're talking some mighty quantities of whiskey. During a heated conversations between the pair, Patrick told Huw he was The Ripton Stalker.

As Huw became drowsy and started to lose consciousness, he heard Patrick say: "It's me. Of course it's me."

Something tells us he'll deny it in the morning though...

All the new clues that Patrick is The Ripton Stalker

Firstly, there's the aforementioned confession...

Secondly, we still don't know what's in the locked briefcase under Patrick's bed. Although knowing Patrick's skill at mind games, it's probably nothing - just something to torment Huw with.

Thirdly, Huw and Patrick's neighbour Liz has begun to experience strange events in her house, which have all the hallmarks of The Ripton Stalker. Things are being moved around her living room, the door has been left on the latch, and music has started playing in the house. We know Patrick has the key to Tina's house, so he could have the key to Liz's, too. It's all a bit of a coincidence that all this has started after Patrick moves in.

Lastly, it also felt like Huw led Patrick straight to Ruth's house, where he attacked her.

What else happened in The Game episode 2 on Channel 5?

• We learnt that The Ripton Stalker "knew his anatomy". He performed acts of torture that he knew would not kill his victims - until he wanted them dead. A sadist who likes inflicting pain on others.
• With regards to Frank's murder, it became apparent that someone had injected him with the drugs that killed him. There were no signs of a struggle - so did Frank know Patrick?
• Patrick reminded Huw of his earlier statement that he'd "sell his soul" for the chance to live his life again. Is this all come sick joke by Patrick to give Huw a challenge?
• Alice told Huw she didn't want him in the house until he stopped his obsession with The Ripton Stalker.

Read more: The filming locations of The Game on Channel 5 - and it's NOT where you think!

The Game episode 3 airs on Wednesday, May 14, 2025 at 9pm on Channel 5.