Fool Me Once: What is wrong with Detective Sami Kierce?

This article about Detective Sami Kierce in Fool Me Once contains major spoilers.

Fool Me Once debuted on Netflix on New Year’s Day. It is a mystery thriller adapted from the Harlan Coben novel of the same name. The show stars Michelle Keegan as former soldier and helicopter pilot Maya Stern. She is grieving the murder of her husband Joe Burkett and desperately searches for answers when he seemingly reappears.

Investigating Joe’s murder is DS Sami Kierce (Adeel Akhtar), a veteran detective who is suspicious of Maya’s possible involvement. Early in the series, Kierce is shown driving down a residential street when he suddenly passes out and crashes into a garden fence.

He seemingly recovers but is shaken by the incident and confides in his friend and Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor Nicole. She advises him to go and see a doctor. He reluctantly agrees and goes to the hospital for tests. While he awaits the results, he blacks out twice more – once while eating breakfast and again while pursuing a suspect.

Kierce’s apparent illness is a key plot point in the show. It remains unclear for most of the series exactly what is wrong, but it is eventually explained. So, if you’re keen to know what is wrong with Detective Sami Kierce in Fool Me Once and haven’t quite finished the series, we’ve got you covered. But be warned – there are spoilers ahead!

What is wrong with Detective Sami Kierce in Fool Me Once?

It is eventually revealed that Sami Kierce’s neurological problems are being caused by medication he is taking that was made by Lambur Pharma.

Lambur Pharma is owned by the Burketts and has been falsifying the results of drug trials. This resulted in dangerous medications being prescribed to patients that causes black outs, hallucinations, suicidal tendencies, and other concerning symptoms.

Kierce realises Nicole – his former fiancée who was also a police officer and killed in the line of duty – was just an hallucination.

Before learning that his medication was behind his black outs, his doctor informed him that his “brain isn’t working as it should” and speculated that it was a degenerative condition caused by damage to the brain. Kierce suspected that his past drinking problems may have contributed.

At the end of the final episode, Sami is shown visiting Maya’s daughter in hospital after she has given birth 18 years later. He is in good health and has recovered from the neurological problems caused by his medication.

What did you think of the explanation for Kierce’s black outs? Let us know in the comment section below and don’t forget to check out our other Film & TV articles…