Doctor Foster season 2 finale: Tom’s tragic fate sealed and it’s absolutely harrowing
DOCTOR FOSTER season two is gearing up for an explosive finale, and now fragile youngster Tom’s storyline faces a tragic end.
Doctor Foster: Gemma bathes Tom as he cries in the bath
The BBC show has seen his parents Gemma Foster (played by Suranne Jones) and Simon Foster (Bertie Carvel) take their obsessions for each other to twisted new heights, leaving their teenage son Tom (Tom Taylor) falling apart.
In the latest issue of Radio Times magazine, clinical psychologist Professor Tanya Byron has revealed the potentially horrifying impact their actions will have on the character long-term.
Tanya said: “Gemma and Simon are, to me, an example of the worst kind of parents, damaging their child behind the mask of respectability.
“Indeed, while they may not be overtly abusing their child, the psychological impact of their behaviour will cause him lifelong difficulties.”
Doctor Foster: Tom's fate may have already been decided
Gemma Foster's son Tom may be headed on a dark path
Doctor Foster: Kate no longer trusts Simon
The psychological impact of their behaviour will cause him lifelong difficulties
The professional went on to explain that the scenes Tom has witnessed from his family have an incredibly high chance of sending him on a dark path, and could predict what’s next for the fictional character.
She continued: “Children are affected by the mental state and behaviour of their parents and, for children like Tom (who we have already seen displaying aggressive and abusive behaviour), the outcomes can include depression, anxiety and substance misuse.
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“Gemma and Simon’s legacy to their son is likely to be him finding it difficult to trust others, having difficulties forming and sustaining relationships and anger issues.”
Following the events of the series’ harrowing fourth episode, which saw a rage-filled Gemma getting ready to floor the accelerator and murder her ex-husband, Tom may even be left without a father altogether.
Read the full interview with Professor Tanya Byron in the latest issue of Radio Times magazine.
Doctor Foster season two concludes tomorrow at 9pm on BBC One.