BBC child-kidnap drama The Missing comes to a dramatic conclusion this week with plenty of loose ends still to be tied up. Here are the seven questions we want to see resolved.

Gripping, harrowing, and with enough false leads to keep you guessing, The Missing has been one of the stand-out dramas of the year.

Dealing with the disappearance of a young child is a tricky proposition for a mainstream TV drama, but the unusually long eight-episode run has allowed the story to focus on the mystery behind Oliver Hughes’ disappearance and also explore the untold human cost left in its wake.

In fact, The Missing been so affecting at times that it’s the only drama we can remember watching where we’ve hoped that the main character finds at the end that it’s all been a dream. Sadly, that’s probably the only twist that’s out of the question.

James Nesbitt’s performance as Oliver’s father Tony has seen him exude almost palpable pain in every frame, not to mention visually marking each of the three concurrent timelines with a different beard length for each. A crucial acting skill oft overlooked.

If you’ve been watching The Missing, then these are the questions you’ll want answering in the final episode - and if you haven’t been watching, the whole series is still available on BBC iPlayer.

1. What is the significance of the coin?

At the end of episode 7 we saw British detective Mark return from London to Chalons du Bois with a coin that had been stolen from the crime scene by crooked cop Khalid Ziane and kept illegally by journalist Malik Suri.

Is this the clue that will finally reveal the secrets of Oliver’s disappearance, or is it another false lead? Tellingly, it doesn’t look like the kind of coin that can be spent in a shop – and as Tony said at the end of episode 7: “I know whose it is…”

2. How is Vincent Bourg involved?

Bourg’s connection to Oliver’s disappearance is still unclear, despite being a prominent character since episode 1. He was also heavily involved with human slime-trail Ian Garrett – but we still don’t know exactly how. Bourg is seemingly trying to turn his life around, or is he still desperately running away from something terrible he did with Garrett back in 2006?

3. Will Tony’s history of violence catch up with him?

Tony’s brutal murder of Ian Garrett is being held over him by Malik Suri. But with Suri now compromised by Mark’s taking of the coin, it looks like he will have to release his stranglehold. But will Tony’s fearsome temper reignite in the final episode and lead him into trouble again?

4. How much does Malik Suri know?

Waging a one-man campaign to ruin the good name of journalists the world over, Malik Suri has been cold, calculating and chillingly monotone for seven episodes. But now we know he’s concealed vital case evidence – what else does he know about Oliver’s disappearance? He’s so devious I wouldn’t be surprised if that beard was a fake. Someone give it a tug, please.

5. Will we ever fully understand who the Caid de Cité are?

Shadowy criminal organisations aren’t my strong suit, and I have to admit to being stumped by some of the ins and outs of the oft-mentioned cartel’s activities. Tight-lipped cleaner-turned-barman Karl Sieg is certainly involved in Oliver’s disappearance – and crucially witnessed Khalid Ziane finding the coin in 2006 – but will he finally give up all of his – and the Caid de Cité’s - secrets?

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6. Is there a future for Tony and Emily?

It’s clear that Tony and Emily still have feelings for one another despite their ordeal. We’ve seen hints of a snow-flecked romance rekindling in the past two episodes - but however the story plays out, is there enough left of their former selves for them to start a new life together? And what will that mean for Emily’s relationship with Mark?

7. …And most important of all: what happened to Oliver?

One of the cleverest aspects of the drama is that it’s easy to lose sight of the main question: what happened to Oliver Hughes? With its numerous false leads, multiple timelines and minor characters jostling for attention on the screen, it’s easy to lose sight of the central question posed by the series. And against all odds, I hope it’s good news…

What do you think happened in The Missing? Let us know in the Comments section below.