As the curtain lifts on the inaugural episode of "Code of Silence," a harrowing scene unfolds: someone lies bleeding, the piercing wail of police sirens echoing ominously in the distance. Alison Woods (Rose Ayling-Ellis), amidst the chaos, is whisked away in a police cruiser, her fate hanging in the balance.
Flashing back three weeks, we find Alison pedaling her bicycle towards the police station, her days marked by routine. As she nears, her sharp eyes catch the fleeting lips of DC Ben Lawford (Nathan Armarkwei Laryea) and DS Sara Burns (Lucinda Dryzek), engaged in an intense conversation nearby. Ben's voice, tinged with resentment, reminds Sara of her promise to leave him, while she, her tone pleading, insists that she cannot. Their emotional tug-of-war captures Alison's attention, prompting her to confide in Jayne (Molly Hewitt-Richards), jokingly contemplating a fling with Gary (Lace Akpojaro) as an escape route – before promptly dismissing the notion, both bursting into laughter. Gary mentions that a detective had been inquiring about Alison during the morning shift, leaving DS Ashleigh Francis' (Charlotte Ritchie) number as a point of contact. DC Nia Caballero (Dedun Omole) ushers Alison in to meet Francis.
Ashleigh, having retrieved Alison's name from the Community Skills Database, elucidates the purpose behind her summons. Their regular lip-readers are tied up in other cases, leaving a gap that Alison could fill. Introduced to DI James Marsh (Andrew Buchan) and DC Ben Lawford, Alison finds herself under scrutiny as James probes her lip-reading prowess. From a discreet distance, she observes their skeptical glances, her patience wearing thin as she interrupts to assert her competence – if only they'd share the details.
James unveils their operation: monitoring a criminal gang plotting a heist. Believing they'll converge tomorrow at an inaccessible, bug-proof locale, the team aims to leverage a lip reader to decipher their plans. Alison stipulates the need for context, her vow of confidentiality sealed.
Later, amidst the camaraderie of Samira (Lily Nichol) and Karl (Ben Addis) at work, Alison assists customers, including one seeking a non-alcoholic beer, her curiosity piqued by whispered conversations behind her back.
Returning home, Alison discovers her mother, Julie Brooks (Fifi Garfield), still awake, her brother Eithan's belongings indicating his recent visit. Alison confesses her avoidance of Eithan Lewis (Rolf Choutan), her mind wandering to her absent father. DS Francis' call summons Alison for the morning, James Marsh hopeful that this is their ticket to uncovering Helen Redman's (Beth Goddard) machinations.
A text message hints at a meeting at a picnic bench in the park's south side, intended for Braden Moore (Joe Absolom) and Joseph Holhurst (Andrew Scarborough), among others. James fears Helen is reassembling the old gang, with Danny Heath still incarcerated.
Alison's arrival marks the countdown. The gang, known for targeting jewelry stores and workshops, becomes her focus. James tasks her with monitoring feeds, her eyes the team's window into the criminal underworld. DS Francis outlines the key players: Cruella, Hulk, and Wolf, their identities shrouded in mystery yet ripe for discovery.
At the park, Ben alerts the team of an approaching figure heading towards their rendezvous point. Meanwhile, the police remain oblivious to the identity of Liam Barlow, portrayed by Kieron Moore. Moments later, Hulk arrives on the scene. Cruella enters through the east gate, and Wolf soon joins their ranks. Alison keeps a vigilant watch over the unfolding events. She notices a hooded individual introducing himself as Liam. Soon after, James suggests playing back the surveillance feeds to ensure they haven't missed anything crucial, which Alison agrees to.
As the footage plays, Alison catches Cruella introducing the hooded man to Wolf. She suspects that Liam's surname might be Barlow or perhaps Marlow. Hulk expresses confidence in his ability to assist them. Liam proceeds to share his background with Wolf, revealing that he isn't from Canterbury and has led a nomadic life. Nia uncovers that the man is indeed 29-year-old Liam Barlow, with a clean criminal record.
Francis reminds Alison to complete a form for her payment, while James stresses the importance of not researching anything she's seen in the office today. Unable to resist her curiosity, Alison returns home and immediately delves into investigating Canterbury's jewelry robberies. Her mother notices her distraction.
Alison scrutinizes pictures of Liam Barlow while her mother, Julie, informs her about the residents' meeting scheduled for tomorrow at noon, hinting at a potential rent increase. Alison agrees to attend. At work, Francis informs Alison that they have CCTV footage but need a specific date and location for the robbery. As she watches the tape, Alison picks up crucial clues: Cruella mentions Belmarsh, the dates of the 7th and 17th, and uses words like "big" and "risky." She also hears about keeping an eye on someone and plans to put him in a flat near a certain app, possibly referring to The Tap, a local pub. Alison surmises they're discussing Liam.
When her mother messages her, Alison realizes she must attend the meeting. Once there, she and Julie find themselves trapped in the back, unable to hear clearly. They learn that their landlord plans to sell their estate to a management company, leaving Julie reluctant to move and suggesting Alison talk to Eithan at the council, which Alison hesitates to do.
DS Ashleigh Francis contacts Alison to arrange a meeting for the night. At their rendezvous, DS Francis reveals that the gang will convene at a bar where the team is experiencing technical difficulties with their camera. Francis asks if Alison would be willing to go inside the bar to gather information. Alison agrees, with Francis offering to treat her to drinks.
Inside, Alison and Francis order drinks and settle nearby to eavesdrop. Alison keeps a close eye on the group and notices Wolf's arrival. She finds the angle challenging and informs Francis that she needs to get closer. Francis advises caution, but Alison moves regardless. From her vantage point, she listens as Liam boasts about his ability to gain access for them. He suggests hacking the server to add their details, prompting Braden Moore to mention the guards. Cruella, or Helen as she's also known, joins the group, and the conversation continues, thick with intrigue and anticipation.
They are acutely aware that this is a one-time opportunity. Liam exudes confidence in his abilities, yet he recognizes the necessity for additional intelligence. His gaze shifts to Alison, a hint of worry flickering across his face. Rising to fetch napkins, he takes the moment to edge closer to her, his intentions不明. Upon returning to the table, he starts jotting something down, his mind racing.
In the confines of their car, Alison unfolds her narrative to DS Francis, detailing her observations. She doubts the affair concerns a mere jewelry store; instead, she posits that it revolves around biometric security. She whispers her suspicion that Liam might harbor skills as a computer hacker, hinting at an unspecified demand.
At her home, Alison dives into research about The Canterbury Tap and associated topics, her curiosity piqued. Later, she pedals her bicycle towards the pub, stepping inside solo. Upon entering, she discovers Braden behind the bar, and her path crosses with Eithan, who has been anticipating her arrival. His inquiries border on accusatory, wondering if her distractions stem from another suitor. Alison dismisses his conjectures, invoking the need for more personal space. She hurries to the police station where Ben informs her of a live feed scheduled for the day. DS Francis clarifies their focus on a facility leveraging biometric technology—uncharted waters for this criminal syndicate.
When Alison probes further, Ben urges her to rely on her lip-reading skills. Another clandestine meeting ensues at the park, yet Alison finds herself blind to the critical details. She's prompted to move closer, designated as 706. Cruella, seemingly perceptive, catches a glimpse of her. James' anxiety spikes; he fears their cover might have been blown. Frustration mounts as he laments the loss of a potential lead.
Returning to her routine duties, Alison trails Ashleigh Francis, hoping for a conversation. She apologizes for her earlier inability to gather crucial information. Francis suggests they might have asked for too much too soon, reassuring her that James harbors no ill will. Francis unveils that Cruella's husband is incarcerated for ten years in Belmarsh Prison for manslaughter, a byproduct of a botched armed robbery that led to a civilian's death. James tortures himself with guilt, believing he could have prevented the tragedy. Alison proposes closing the distance, though Francis hesitates, wary of the risks. In a strategic move, they've placed Liam in an apartment in close proximity to The Canterbury Tap, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal encounter.
Francis gently reminds her that leaving the investigative duties to them is imperative. Meanwhile, at her secondary employment, Karl observes Alison grappling with a difficult customer. Samira conveys to Alison that Karl harbors doubts about their arrangement. Alison, in turn, reproaches Karl for not confronting her directly. As she departs, Alison appropriates a couple of bottles of champagne, intending to inform her mother of her dismissal upon arrival home. Julie, receiving a notice of an overdue bill, adds to the mounting pressures. Alison confesses her frustration with continually striving to prove herself.
Seeking solace, Alison heads to The Canterbury Tap, where she engages the bartender in a conversation about beers. She broaches the subject of employment with Mark (Colin Hoult), who, after some hesitation, agrees to give her a trial run. During her tenure there, Liam strolls in, requesting a pint of IPA. Attempting to foster camaraderie, Alison initiates a chat. Noticing Liam's agitation, she inquires, to which he attributes it to work-related stress. Alison confides in him that it's her first day and admits to feigning expertise in craft beer. Sharing his own recent employment woes, albeit mundane, Liam introduces himself, and they forge a nascent connection.
Later, Mark informs Alison of his intention to close up, inviting her back the following day. As Liam receives a call nearby, Alison catches snippets of his conversation, learning of an impending meeting he agrees to attend. He casually mentions heading to work, but Alison, contemplating reaching out to DS Francis, ultimately decides against it. Instead, she follows Liam discreetly, only to be narrowly missed by his car when he exits his new flat. Though shaken, Alison assures him she's fine, prompting Liam to insist on a hospital visit. There, amidst apologies, Liam admits missing his meeting but deems this encounter more pressing. Alison demonstrates a stress-relief technique by pinching her hand, and they bond over their backgrounds, revealing Liam's Manchester origins and his recent arrival in the city.
The next morning, Alison examines her leg wound and discovers her bike in disrepair, necessitating alternative transportation to work. Additionally, she learns of an impending gang meeting whose location remains uncertain. The team intercepts Liam near Vale Gardens' splash park. As Liam enters an electronics shop on Beem Street, DC Amy Fung (Frances Mayli McCann) reports him emerging with a bag, continuing his journey on foot. DS Daniel Barton (Matthew Barker) sights him next, followed by the rest of the team. Liam apologizes for missing the meeting, explaining his detour to the hospital after accidentally knocking Alison off her bike. James seeks clarification, while Liam clarifies his reluctance to involve the police by calling an ambulance. Alison's panic escalates at this revelation.
