Paramount+ series Happy Face is a true crime drama inspired by the real-life story of Melissa Moore, the daughter of Keith Hunter Jesperson, known as the “Happy Face Killer.” The series follows Melissa Reed (played by Annaleigh Ashford), who, after years of no contact with her incarcerated father (Dennis Quaid), is forced to confront her past when he re-enters her life.
Episode 5, aired on April 10, 2025, in this episode, Melissa forms an unlikely alliance to recover crucial missing evidence, while Elijah, the man potentially wrongfully convicted, weighs a plea deal. Meanwhile, Melissa’s daughter Hazel begins a secret correspondence, adding another layer of tension to the unfolding story. The episode continues to build on the emotional and investigative stakes as Melissa grapples with her father’s legacy and her own identity. Are you prepared to explore everything? Let’s jump in!
Happy Face Episode 5 Recap “Don’t Dream”
Elijah’s Dream Kicks Things Off
The episode wastes no time getting into Elijah’s head. We start with him lost in a dream—or maybe a flashback—where a younger version of himself sneaks into a church to tickle the ivories on a piano. It’s a quiet, almost peaceful moment, but a guard bangs on his cell door, snapping him back to reality. A guard hands him a phone, and suddenly, shocking news breaks: Keith’s murder weapon, a wrench from the previous episode, is now in play. Could this be Elijah’s escape route? It’s a hopeful spark, and you can feel his excitement leap off the screen.
Meanwhile, Melissa’s back home, waiting on DNA results from that wrench to link it to Heather’s murder. Her daughter Hazel, though, is up to something sneaky. After getting a message from her grandpa Keith in Episode 4, she grabs a burner phone from a convenience store. Yep, she’s planning to chat with the Happy Face Killer himself. Melissa enters Hazel’s room, sparking a rare emotional exchange between them. It’s sweet seeing them try to close the gap that’s been growing, but Keith’s shadow hangs heavy over everything.
Family Dinner and a Pizza Slicer Surprise
Dinner time at the Reed house is a big deal in Episode 5, and it’s more than just a meal—it’s a welcome-back bash for Melissa after her long trip chasing leads. The family gathers around the table, and you can feel the warmth as they catch up. Hazel’s there, but she’s distracted, texting her friend Josh under the table. It bugs Ben and Melissa a little—honestly, who hasn’t seen a teen glued to their phone at dinner? But that’s just the warm-up for the real shocker. After everyone’s done eating, Ben and Melissa find a pizza slicer stashed in Max’s backpaWhen they inquire about his situation, Max reveals that he took it as a form of self-defense against Ashton, the eerie figure from previous episodes who has frightened him. from earlier episodes who’s got him spooked. My heart sank hearing that—poor kid’s scared out of his mind.
Melissa steps up, pulling Max close to comfort him, and you can see the worry in her eyes. She and Ben huddle up right after, talking seriously about how to keep their family safe. It’s a poignant moment that resonates deeply—parenting is challenging enough without the addition of a serial killer grandpa! This scene’s a perfect slice of Happy Face—it blends everyday family stuff with the wild stakes of the bigger story. Joyce visits Elijah at the prison, who is elated after receiving the wrench news. Even Nico, another inmate, tosses him a “nice one, man.” It’s a quick lift before the next twist, and it keeps you hooked on what’s coming.
Missing Evidence Hits Hard
The next day, Melissa’s at work, and her boss, Dr. Greg, nudges her to write a book about her wild life. Fair idea—her story’s got bestseller vibes! However, Ivy unexpectedly reveals that Heather’s evidence is missing from the county police station. Without it, it becomes impossible to link the wrench’s DNA to Heather. Melissa, Ivy, Joyce, and Gabriela head to Jefferson, Texas, to dig deeper. They team up with Alice, a supervisor at the station, who tries to help. Bad news, though—Alice confirms the evidence was destroyed after the case closed. Evidently, the district attorney has the authority to simply destroy evidence once they have completed their work. Frustrating, right?
Fired up, the crew confronts DA Calloway at county hall. He admits to ordering the destruction of the evidence and reiterates his conviction that Elijah is guilty. He is so certain of Elijah’s guilt that he proposes a compromise: if Elijah confesses to Heather’s murder, the death penalty will not be applied. Without a possible DNA link, it’s a difficult situation for Elijah. They leave it up to Elijah, though—it’s his life, not theirs. Outside, Gabriela tosses out a Hail Mary: maybe they can snag DNA from Heather’s relative, Denise, to make a partial match with the wrench. It’s a long shot, but it’s something.
Hazel Chats with Keith, and Melissa Strikes Out
Hazel’s secret mission kicks into gear this episode, and it’s a doozy. She sneaks down to her school’s basement, pulls out that burner phone she snagged, and dials Keith. When he picks up, it’s their first real talk—grandpa and granddaughter, one a notorious killer, the other just a kid figuring stuff out. Keith’s all curious, asking Hazel to send him a photo since he’s never seen her face. She fires back, asking for more of his drawings—those creepy sketches he’s known for. It’s a strange vibe, equal parts sweet and unsettling. You can’t help but wonder what’s going through Hazel’s head, connecting with a guy like Keith. It’s a bold move, and it adds a whole new layer to her character.
Meanwhile, Melissa’s out there fighting her own battle. She tracks down Denise, Heather’s relative, hoping to score a DNA sample to crack the case. Her bold request quickly backfires, as Denise, still enraged from their previous confrontation at the salon, abruptly closes the door in her face. Ouch! Ivy jumps in with a wild fix: let’s dig through Denise’s trash for something with DNA. They’re rooting through garbage bags, desperate for a win, but it’s a bust—no luck. Then Keith texts Melissa a photo of Brendan, beaten and bloody, hinting his followers are acting out in her name. This chilling reminder of the extent of his influence profoundly unsettles Melissa. Hazel’s call and Melissa’s flop, two storylines that run side by side, demonstrate how Keith is manipulating events from prison. It’s tense, and it keeps you glued to the screen.
Joyce Opens Up, and a New Plan Forms
Joyce’s place becomes the heart of this episode when Melissa and Ivy swing by, dreading the news that the trash dive failed. They’re reluctant to break it to her—Elijah’s freedom feels farther away than ever. But while they’re there, Melissa snoops around and spots Joyce’s setup: walls covered with photos, notes, and timelines—all proof of how hard she’s been working to free her brother. Witnessing Joyce’s unwavering dedication in such a stark manner profoundly impacts Melissa. She’s filled with inspiration, and her determination to persevere is evident.
Back at the Reed house, their neighbor Renee drops by with a bottle of wine as a welcome gift. Ben takes on the role of host by himself, and they enjoy the wine together. While enjoying some drinks, he shares his challenges of having Keith as a father-in-law—understandably so. They chat into the night, and while it’s just talk for now, you can’t help but wonder if there’s a spark brewing. Later, at Joyce’s, the mood lightens as she, Melissa, and Ivy get a little drunk, swapping stories about exes. But wheWhen the conversation shifts to Elijah, Joyce expresses her frustration, pain, and unwavering resolve. It’s honesIt is genuine and sparks a breakthrough moment for Melissa. The next morning, she drags Joyce back to Denise’s, banking on Joyce’s story to soften her up. Joyce shares Calloway’s deal—death penalty off for a confession—and Denise, stunned, finally agrees to a DNA test. It’s a small win, but it feels huge after all the setbacks.
Elijah Stands Firm, and the Streets Light Up
This Happy Face Episode 5 recap highlights Elijah’s pivotal moment. Joyce breaks the news about Denise’s DNA test, and he’s floored—hope’s back on the table! But then she drops a shocker: he should consider taking Calloway’s deal and confessing to avoid the death penalty. It’s a total 180 from her usual fight, and Elijah’s jaw drops. He grabs a phone, calls Calloway himself, and lays it out: “I’m no killer, and I’m not saying I am.” That’s unwavering determination—he’s placing his trust in his innocence, making no concessions. You’ve got to admire the guy’s backbone, especially with everything stacked against him.
The “Free Elijah” movement ignites in the streets. Protests erupt, people chanting and waving signs—it’s electric! Then the big break lands: Heather’s DNA matches the wrench. Melissa, Ivy, and Joyce lose it—they’ve got solid proof Elijah didn’t do it! At TV Acute, we are passionate about innovative solutions, and this one is truly remarkable. Hazel, meanwhile, gets more artwork from Keith and hops on another call with him. Although she is aware of his past, her attraction to his honesty sustains their peculiar connection. Back at the protest, the crew tunes into Calloway’s press conference. He is reopening the case, but more importantly, he is proposing a new angle that suggests Elijah and Keith were involved. Seriously? After that DNA victory, the plot takes a brutal twist, leaving us eager for the next episode. Elijah’s defiance and the streets waking up—it’s the kind of drama that keeps Happy Face buzzing.
Read More: HAPPY FACE (CONTROLLED BURN) RECAP: EPISODE 4 EXPLAINED!
