The opening scene of Episode 1 of Dept Q unfolds with officers meticulously scrutinizing a crime scene, their focus intense and unwavering. However, the tranquility of the investigation is shattered abruptly when a masked assailant storms in and unleashes a hail of bullets, felling every officer in sight. Among the fallen lies DCI Carl Morck, whose fate hangs in the balance as the killer looms over him before Carl succumbs to unconsciousness. Miraculously, Carl clings to life, surviving this grim encounter by a thread. His colleague, Hardy, though alive, is rendered paralyzed and confined to a hospital bed for an indefinite period.
Carl's resentment towards the mandatory therapy sessions prescribed to him is palpable. He dismisses the therapy with flippancy, brushing aside his therapist Rachel's concerns about the lingering effects of the trauma. Haunted by sleepless nights and consumed by anxiety, Carl's superiority complex becomes ever more evident.
Elsewhere, we encounter Merritt Lingard, a prosecutor grappling with a high-stakes case involving a husband accused of murdering his wife. The evidence against the defendant is compelling, yet Merritt's emotions run rampant, clouding her judgment. She falls prey to Finch's manipulative tactics, who skillfully taps into the jury's empathy, casting doubt on the husband's guilt. The case collapses under Merritt's watch, adding to her woes as she is tormented by specters from her past. Menacing emails and texts from an unknown sender fill her with dread.
Merritt's disabled brother, William, relies on a carer named Claire when she is absent. Stirred by a particularly chilling message, Merritt decides to flee with William, embarking on a trip together in hopes of escaping her turmoil. However, even aboard their boat, tranquility remains elusive as she receives a chilling text informing her that there is no escape.
Back at the station, Carl's arrival created a stir as he rocked up, ready to dive back into his duties. He exchanged playful jibes with a fiery redhead named Rose, before tearing into the officers assigned to his case, stressing their lack of evidence and witnesses (despite the last-minute statement reversal by a key individual). Carl scrutinized the evidence laid out before him, lambasting their incompetence. His sharp eyes immediately spotted a McDonalds cup wedged under one of the car's wheels, prompting him to demand that they review the CCTV footage from the neighboring fast-food joint, hoping it might offer a glimpse of the killer.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Secretary was proposing the establishment of a new department dedicated to tackling even more cases. Superintendent Moira Jacobson, who oversaw the operations, was swift to dismiss the idea initially, highlighting their already stretched resources and inadequate manpower to handle their current caseload.
However, her stance softened when she learned that this new department would come with its own dedicated budget and full autonomy in selecting cases. This prospect intrigued her greatly. The individual she contemplated tapping for this role? None other than Carl. He would be tasked with investigating Cold Cases from across the nation, albeit reluctantly.
The office designated for this new department was located in the basement, a chaotic mess of disarray and disorganization. It was now evident that Moira planned to utilize the funds allocated for this department to bolster the main office while relegating Carl to a remote corner, away from the main team. Carl was far from naive and understood her motives, but he knew he needed a secretary to help navigate through the mountains of files. He had hoped for Rose's assistance, but instead, she introduced Akram, a man who worked part-time in IT but harbored aspirations to join their ranks.
Amusingly, Akram shares a surprising number of similarities with Carl. Confident and intelligent, he has delved deep into numerous Cold Cases. Having once served as a police officer in Syria, he is adept at tackling intricate cases, potentially becoming just the ally Carl needs to make a significant breakthrough. Carl decides to bring Akram onto his team, where Akram meticulously sifts through the files and uncovers a case they can exploit: the disappearance of Merritt Lingard. We learn that she vanished four years ago, her last known location being the boat we earlier glimpsed. It is cleverly revealed now that these narratives span two distinct timelines. In truth, Merritt is still alive but is being held captive in a secluded, steel pressurized tank.
