Episode 1 of "Adolescence" kicks off with Detective Inspector Luke Bascombe embarking on a morning patrol alongside his partner, Detective Sergeant Misha Frank. Their conversation is punctuated by laughter as they recount Bascombe's son's attempt to skip school. However, their mirth is short-lived when they receive a distressing report. With a squad of officers in tow, they swiftly descend upon the Miller residence.
The suspect in question is the household's 13-year-old son, Jamie Miller, accused of committing a heinous act of murder with a kitchen knife. As the police officers barge in, shattering the door and turning the place upside down in search of evidence, chaos ensues. The parents and Jamie's sister stand frozen in shock and fear.
Despite the tumultuous scene, Bascombe and his fellow officers extend kindness to Jamie, who is undergoing an emotional breakdown. They calmly explain his rights to him and guide him through the next steps. Meanwhile, Jamie's parents are convinced that this is all a terrible mistake and are more preoccupied with gathering evidence to file a complaint against the police for property damage. Mrs. Miller is further perplexed when Jamie requests his father, Eddie, to be his supervising adult, despite Eddie's notoriously short temper and poor handling of stressful situations.
Alone, Bascombe can't shake his concerns about Eddie, his mind drifting back to an old case where a father was abusing his son. The psychiatrist initiates her assessment of Jamie and concludes that he is indeed bright and remarkably clever. Bascombe also assists in securing a court-appointed lawyer for the family, Paul Barlow.
Paul is briefed on the case, revealing that the murder occurred at 10:13 pm the previous night. Jamie sports scratches on his arm, and blood is discovered at the crime scene. However, as Paul delves deeper into the investigation, he encounters a roadblock in the form of an uncooperative Bascombe.
Jamie remains calm as the medical examination commences. Conversely, Eddie becomes agitated when the police insist on a physical check-up. Paul offers little solace, warning that refusing could weaken Jamie's defense. During preparation, Paul advises Jamie to invoke his right to remain silent by saying "no comment" whenever he is uncertain about his answers. To test this strategy, Paul asks Jamie where he was the night before, and the boy responds with "no comment."
Eddie's worries intensify, and Paul subtly hints that the police possess concrete evidence to warrant bringing Jamie in based solely on the report. Eddie demands the truth from Jamie, who insists on his innocence. Seeing the relief in Eddie's eyes as he believes his son, Jamie appears to share a moment of peace.
At long last, the anticipated interview with the law enforcement officers commences. Jamie opts for silence, a strategy of non-cooperation, until the officials produce his Instagram account. Although a bright student, Jamie encountered difficulties at school the previous year. His page is littered with pictures of models accompanied by aggressively suggestive captions. His camaraderie with Ryan and Tommy is evident, with Jamie claiming that whatever actions he engages in are influenced by Tommy.
Subsequently, incriminating evidence surfaces. A shoe matching Jamie's is discovered at the crime scene. The name Katie Leonard is introduced, prompting Jamie to inquire about her wellbeing, an inquiry that Bascombe meticulously documents. Frank ponders whether there was an underlying sexual dynamic among the youth. Jamie steadfastly denies seeing Katie the previous night.
The officers' interrogation intensifies as they disclose the grim detail that Katie's body was found at Crowther's car park at 10:30 pm. Jamie remains tight-lipped about his return time, a detail Eddie fails to clarify, claiming he was occupied on a phone call when Jamie arrived home.
The narrative takes a dark turn as the officers describe Katie's lifeless body, riddled with seven stab wounds. Paul requests a break, but Eddie yearns for swift resolution. However, a critical revelation unfolds: CCTV footage captures Tommy, Ryan, Jamie, and Katie together at Meadows Square at 7:43 pm. Later, at 9:43 pm, Jamie is seen trailing Katie, a pursuit that continues until 9:47 pm. Eddie, distressed, confronts Jamie.
The climax of the evidence is the car park's CCTV footage. It depicts a dramatic altercation where Katie shoves Jamie, who reciprocates by grabbing her. He slams her to the ground, and the footage captures what appear to be stabbing motions. The Miller family breaks into tears as Bascombe persists in seeking a motive.
In a private moment, Jamie pleads with his father for a conversation. Eddie, initially recoiling from his son's touch, eventually embraces him. Jamie maintains his innocence, insisting it wasn't him, as Adolescence Episode 1 concludes on a harrowing note.
