As the curtains rise on the fourth installment of Bergerac, Uma Dalal (portrayed by Sasha Behar) and Barney Crozier (played by Robert Gilbert) find themselves in synchronous harmony at the precinct. Enter Jim Bergerac (Damien Molony), clutching a pristine whiteboard, who proceeds to sketch out the layout of the opera house, pinpointing the exact boxes where Arthur (Philip Glenister) and Julien (Timothy Renouf) had occupied their seats, while Margaret occupied a distant corner. Witnesses affirm that Arthur and Julien remained steadfast in their box throughout the performance, shrouded in darkness so dense that any covert exit would have gone unnoticed.
Bergerac meticulously outlines how these gentlemen might have slipped away undetected, highlighting the blind spots cleverly engineered by the opera house's design. Uma gently reminds Jim of the sensitivity surrounding Arthur, a man of lofty status and a former statesperson, cautioning him to tread with delicate precision. Jim, unwavering in his conviction, reveals his desire to apprehend Arthur, to which Uma firmly objects, citing the perils of alienating such a powerful figure. Jim counters passionately, insisting that the wealthy and culpable often elude justice through such tactics.
Relenting slightly, Uma grants Jim permission to search Arthur's residence, though she implores him to avoid provoking unnecessary conflict. Barney, sensing an opportunity, endorses Jim taking the lead in this delicate investigation. Despite the night drawing to a close without the ransom's discovery, Jim remains undeterred. As he departs, Uma entrusts Barney with the task of keeping a watchful eye on Jim's actions.
Jim then engages Arthur in a conversation about the ongoing search for electronic devices, probing whether Arthur was aware of Cate's communications with Ellie Robson, who had expressed misgivings over Arthur's acquisition of her father's company. Arthur dismisses these concerns, revealing that the Robson family has retained a meticulous legal team to scrutinize the contract meticulously. Jim later informs Barney of his lunch plans with his daughter, promising to return by mid-afternoon, while harboring suspicions about Arthur's true intentions.
Jim pays a visit to Pete Benedict (played by Aidan McArdle), confiding in him about the case and the prime suspect. Recognizing that their sessions have become a detour from his primary mission, Jim expresses his desire to discontinue them, asserting his stability. Pete, drawing from his own personal redemption facilitated by therapy, discourages Jim from ending their sessions prematurely.
Elsewhere, John Blakely (Stephen Wight) finds himself in a tense conversation with Chloe (Ayesha Antoine). Identified solely by his voice, John was apprehended by Bergerac, following a request to search his vehicle, where a strand of Sophie's hair was discovered. Chloe berates John's lawyer for overseeing a crucial loophole – the police's right to search any property in the suspect's possession or control upon arrest. A subsequent search, initiated by Bergerac, unearthed the incriminating evidence, prompting John to harbor suspicions of planting. Chloe presents this evidence to Margaret (Pippa Haywood) and Arthur, but Margaret remains unconvinced, questioning the authenticity of the findings without forensic backing. Chloe expresses skepticism, noting that Sophie, blinded throughout her ordeal, identified John solely by his voice, casting further doubt on the integrity of the case against him.
Chloe confesses that the article's publication is still premature, yet she intends to confer with Sophie in the near future. Additionally, she plans to discuss matters with Bergerac. Meanwhile, Simon Calvert (played by Luke Nunn) informs Barney that the police have apprehended an individual possessing a portion of the ransom funds. Kara Molloy (portrayed by Celine Arden) is currently interviewing this suspect. Hardly any time passes before Kara updates Barney on the suspect's story. The latter claims ignorance of Mia and Tomos, asserting that he was merely hired to make the ransom call and collect the money from Julien. Furthermore, he was instructed to deposit the remaining ransom in a parcel locker in Almorah, scheduled for pickup at 1:45 that day. They urgently need to proceed to the location. Barney urges Kara to head there immediately.
Elsewhere, Jim finally arranges a meeting with Kim Bergerac (played by Chloe Sweetlove). However, their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Arthur's arrival. Kim is dispatched elsewhere before Jim inquires if Arthur's visit concerns the morning's events. Arthur warns Jim that he will soon hear what he needs to know. When Jim asks if Arthur even liked Cate, Arthur responds by saying that Jim lacks the ruthlessness he possesses. He even goes so far as to describe Arthur as the most perilous individual he has ever encountered. Arthur exits upon Kim's return. Jim briefly steps away to compose himself in the bathroom, where he calls Kara to request she scrutinize CCTV footage for any cars associated with the Wakefields during the opera performance.
Upon discovering Kara's whereabouts, Jim informs his daughter that he must depart. Shortly thereafter, Kara calls to inform Jim that the suspect has retrieved the money. Jim promises to arrive shortly, despite Kim still being in the car. He instructs Kim to remain in the vehicle while he proceeds. Jim springs into action to pursue the suspect, who narrowly escapes until Jim's arrival. Jim takes the suspect down in the street after the latter knocks Kim to the ground. Upon removing the suspect's mask, they realize it's Julien.
Later, Jim apologizes to Kim, acknowledging that she shouldn't have been there. He then discusses the incident with Charlie Hungerford (played by Zoe Wanamaker).
Charlie never entertained the notion that Kim was in any danger while in his company. Jim, however, was steadfast in his conviction that Kim was secure under his protection, vowing it would never recur. Charlie felt that events were spiraling out of control.
At the precinct, Jim discovered that Julien had declined the offer of legal representation. Jim surmised that Julien's reluctance stemmed from a desire to keep his father in the dark about his arrest. During the interrogation, Julien recounted how he chanced upon Tomos abducting Lily as he strolled by the room. He confessed that, knowing Lily would be safer with them, he refrained from intervening. Julien further unveiled that he owed money to a certain individual, who had issued more than mere threats against him, leading Julien to fear for Cate's life. Ultimately, Julien named Rachini Wilson, who ran an illicit card game out of the back of her arcade, as this shadowy figure. Unable to approach his father for financial assistance, Julien clammed up when further questioned.
Elsewhere, Barney and the team deliberated on Rachini Wilson (played by Preeya Kalidas). Though Jim doubted Rachini's capability for murder, Barney insisted on questioning her nonetheless. Soon after, the police descended on her arcade. Barney grilled her mercilessly. Rachini maintained her innocence, asserting her presence at the arcade throughout. She beckoned Jim over with a flair, challenging him to confront her directly. Jim announced their intention to review CCTV footage from the previous Tuesday, to which Barney clarified they were investigating Cate Wakefield's murder. Jim conceded that murder wasn't Rachini's modus operandi.
Rachini revealed that Julien had visited three weeks prior and had a disastrous night. On Tuesday evening, Julien had called her at 8:22 p.m., a seven-minute conversation in which he sought a stake. Rachini had severely cut ties with him after that call. As they exited, Jim remarked that Rachini had effectively punctured Arthur's alibi like a bus through a paper bag. Barney wondered why Rachini had mentioned footage from two weeks ago, prompting Jim to confess to having a drink with her—a night he admitted was far from stellar. Barney criticized Jim's actions, suggesting he was once more disciplined.
Meanwhile, Chloe engaged Sophie Armstrong (played by Ella Maisy Purvis), who recounted hearing the door creak open and mistaking it for Blakely's arrival.
Her heart raced with fear as he began to remove the blindfold, her lips tightly sealed in silence. The moment she recognized the voice, she knew it belonged to Jim. Sophie conceded that the blindfold had remained over her eyes the entire duration. It was John Blakely's voice she had identified, unmistakable and familiar. Chloe, eager to unravel the mystery, pressed for details, but Sophie's mood darkened when Chloe hinted at the possibility of an innocent man behind bars.
At the precinct, Barney tasked Simon with scrutinizing the vehicles registered to Rachini. Simon revealed that Arthur Wakefield's car had been captured on a surveillance camera, just three miles from the opera house, at 8:46 PM – a full twenty minutes before Cate's tragic demise. Jim, seizing the lead, requested a couple of officers to accompany him to Arthur's residence. Meanwhile, Barney instructed Simon to contact Uma. Jim harbored a conviction that they had finally cornered Arthur Wakefield.
As Arthur was escorted away in handcuffs, he implored Margaret to reach out to Lawrence. Jim notified Kara of their imminent arrival with Arthur, assigning her a task for when they reached the station. Upon their return, Jim ensured Arthur witnessed Julien in an adjacent interview room, ratcheting up the tension.
Lawrence and Arthur were ushered into an interrogation room, where Jim informed Kara that Julien was about to receive an unexpected visitor. Uma engaged Charlie in a conversation about her son-in-law, prompting Charlie to recount the incident involving Kim. Uma confessed that Jim had asked her to resume her duties, explaining her decision to comply. She assured Charlie that today's events would be properly addressed, just as Barney's call interrupted, updating her on Jim's aggressive maneuvers.
Jim grilled Arthur about his presence at the opera with Julien on the fateful night of Cate's murder. He revealed Julien's involvement in the ransom demand, probing whether Arthur had sat through the entire performance alongside him. Arthur's refusal to comment prompted Jim to abruptly halt the interrogation.
Joining Kara, Jim learned that a lawyer had hurriedly arrived for Julien, the two observing as the lawyer presented him with some documents. Jim confided in Kara his desire to believe they were gaining ground, urging them to align their narratives flawlessly to dismantle the opposing version with a resounding blow.
In the sterile confines of the interview room, Julian finds himself contemplating a revision of his statement, suddenly remembering he had stepped away from his seat to make a phone call, doubting his father even noticed his absence. Jim, probing relentlessly, brings up the CCTV footage of a car speeding away from the opera house. Julian, steadfast in his denial, insists he wasn't behind the wheel, prompting Jim to steer the conversation towards Jonathan Robson and Ellie. Mentioning that Cate and Ellie had intended to expose potentially illicit dealings involving Arthur in the acquisition of Jonathan's company, Jim watches Julian's face intently.
Julian repeats his assertion of innocence regarding the car, casting suspicion instead on Margaret. His demeanor shifts as he reveals he sought refuge in the restroom following his call with Rachini, struggling to catch his breath. Jim seizes the moment, addressing Arthur and suggesting an amendment to his statement, considering Julien's prolonged absence of more than seven minutes. Arthur, ever the opera aficionado, underscores the art form's relentless demand for focus. When pressed about the car's driver and whether he might have been Cate's killer, Arthur reluctantly agrees to update his statement.
Revealing a poignant backstory, Arthur confesses that three years ago, he discovered Julien's debilitating gambling addiction, since when he has shouldered his debts and overlooked stolen items, financing counseling and rehab. He laments that Julien has fallen prey to the wrong company. Arthur drops a bombshell, revealing that around 18 months ago, Julien took out a life insurance policy on Cate for a quarter of a million pounds, implying they've reached a perilous juncture in Julien's downward spiral. With a hint of sarcasm, Arthur wonders aloud if they can truly feel safe with Bergerac on watch.
Just as tensions mount, Kara interrupts to inform Jim that Uma wishes to speak with him privately. In their hushed conversation, Uma reveals Charlie's belief that he is being crushed by the weight of his duties. Jim, however, remains unconvinced of Arthur's innocence, accusing him of sacrificing his son to shield himself. Uma's order to release Arthur is met with Jim's reluctant acceptance, his resolve weakening. Moments later, Jim watches Arthur walk free, a complex mixture of emotions etched across his face.
Chloe Havron, a reporter from Island News, approaches Jim, relaying John Blakely's assertions about the evidence. Jim, his jaw set firmly, declines to comment, leaving the room charged with unresolved mysteries and lingering doubts.
