About This Episode
What is this episode about?
The episode "The Journey, Episode 4: The Courts" from In the Dark covers a surrogate who secretly takes home the baby she carried, setting off a legal situation described as unprecedented, in which it seems she might have the chance to keep her. The episode centers on what happens when a surrogacy arrangement breaks down and ends up facing the legal system.
This fourth installment is part of a larger arc called The Journey, which follows the people and relationships caught up in a surrogacy case as it moves forward. This particular chapter, titled The Courts, turns to the legal proceedings that follow the surrogate's decision, and the uncertain path toward resolving who will ultimately raise the child.
Hosts and release
Madeleine Baran hosts In the Dark, a podcast known for prize-winning investigative journalism that uncovers hidden truths behind high-profile criminal cases. The show first aired in 2016 and is published by The New Yorker, with episodes available on Apple Podcasts and Audible. Its most recent installment is Season 3, released in 2024, and the show has previously examined cases including the kidnapping of Jacob Wetterling, the conviction of Curtis Flowers, and the killings in Haditha. This episode, numbered four in its current arc, runs 56 minutes and was released in October 2026.
