The episode kicks off with Violet Davies (Eliza Scanlen), donning her crisp uniform, embodying a sense of duty and resolve. Meanwhile, Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson) performs a solemn ritual, consigning the wings bestowed upon her in confinement to the flames. Frederick Asquith-Gore (Will Keen) addresses the officers with a stern briefing, his words echoing with purpose. Kate's mind drifts back to a haunting memory—the fatal encounter with Silvio Salucci (Sebastian Croft). Frederick underscores the necessity of purging the shadows inhabited by criminals, singling out nightclubs as the dens of iniquity par excellence.
On the table, Kate spreads a piece of paper alongside stacks of cash, while Frederick paints a vivid picture of nightclubs as "sanctuaries of vice," urging that these temples of darkness be exposed to the healing light of day. He presents this mission as a chance for the recruits to inscribe their names in the annals of history. Kate surveys the bruises marring her flesh, a silent testament to her struggles. Frederick incites the female officers to combat the sin that threatens to corrupt their offspring, his words resonating deeply.
Evie Galloway (Eilidh Fisher)'s voice cuts through the tension, summoning her mother, Kate. The morning after a night replete with turbulence, Billie Cassidy (Umi Myers) and Kate share a breakfast interrupted by Evie's hangover-induced discomfort. Kate chastises Evie for her indulgence and encourages her to nourish herself, but Evie abruptly seeks refuge from the conversation. Billie whispers to Kate of the urgency to extricate Evie from their current milieu, to which Kate cautions against hasty departures in the wake of Silvio's demise. Billie, her frustration boiling over, accuses Kate of ruining her life. Kate insists her presence was unintended and reassures her that they remained unobserved, suggesting the police would scarcely care about the fate of a lowlife. Billie counters that it is the Salucci family's gangster ties they should dread, not the authorities.
Interrupted by the sound of Evie's retching, they rush to her side. Billie tenderly rearranges Evie's hair, her mind flashing back to a personalized hairpin. Kate searches her purse in vain, while Billie's panic mounts over the lost keepsake. She describes the Saluccis as "criminally insane gangsters" capable of unspeakable atrocities. Kate urges Billie to seek solace in her friends' company, promising to address the missing hairpin.
Later, in an attempt to "Act Normal," Evie and Kate pay a visit to Sophie Asquith-Gore (Fiona Button), who voices her grievances. Kate insists Evie tidy up after the festivities, to which Sophie reluctantly agrees. As Evie sets off in search of Alice Asquith-Gore (Eloise Thomas), Kate imparts words of wisdom, hinting at a protective instinct. Sophie reassures Kate of their home's perpetual openness to Evie. Kate, moved, embraces Sophie and expresses her gratitude.
At the police station, Violet waits patiently for Jimmy Conville (Harry Cadby) to exit Sergeant Frank Turner's (Ian Bonar) office. Turner confronts her with a threat of suspension for her earlier abrupt departure. She vows never to repeat such behavior. He accuses her of fabricating a story about Sarah Fisher (Laura Checkley) to save her own skin, with Sarah accused of sexual assault. Turner, unconvinced, tasks her with extracting information from a young, female repeat offender, citing their shared vulnerabilities as a reason for her suitability. When she questions his assumption, he smilingly replies that the girl might confide in her due to their similarities. He hints darkly at enjoying her confrontation with Kate and warns of termination if she fails to procure the girl's identity.
In loving memory of Silvio Salucci, Kate takes a sip from a dusty bottle unearthed amidst a heap of ruins. Stepping into the dilapidated outhouse, she lifts the seat, her stomach churning in disgust, and reaches beneath to pull aside a tattered tarp. Her mind conjures images of Silvio, vibrant and alive, handing her Billie's hairpin. Steeling herself, she yanks the hairpin from an imaginary throat, its surface etched with the tender inscription, "Forever My Billie." As the voice of Damaso Salucci (Dustin Demri-Burns) echoes, calling for Silvio, Kate grabs a firearm and strides toward the door, only to hesitate and descend into the concealment of the outhouse pit, closing the lid behind her.
Outside, Damaso lights a cigarette, his features shrouded in smoke, as Matteo Rossi (Eben Figueiredo) informs him of Silvio's absence. Damaso commands him to procure the money, while Kate peers through a sliver in the wooden wall, observing their every move. Meanwhile, Walter Daniels (Samson Ajewole) announces auditions for dancers at various establishments: Jig’s, Mortimer’s, Murray’s, The Nest, and the House of Saint Francis. Billie enters and sits beside Eddie Cobb (Michael Duke), who envelops her in an embrace. She reveals encountering her estranged mother, Kate, to which Eddie inquiries if the younger woman knows her identity. Billie snorts a line of drugs and shrugs no.
Elsewhere, Damaso orders Matteo to search far and wide for Silvio. Matteo mentions a rumor about Luka Salucci being gassed, prompting Damaso to threaten to silence him permanently by cutting out his tongue. Kate, startled by the sight of a rat, lets out a尖叫, drawing Matteo's attention outside. He curses upon glimpsing the creature before Damaso carries out his gruesome punishment and tasks his men with locating Silvio or his abductor.
In a stark contrast of settings, Violet sheds her uniform for a dress, just as Frank bursts in, catching her stuffing a cloth into her underwear. A bloodied and bruised Jimmy stumbles out of a cell, shoving Violet inside. Violet pretends exhaustion, asking for a cigarette, but Lily Lee (Priya Kansara) isn't convinced.
Emerging from the outhouse, Kate uses a rock to prize open a lock, wheeling Silvio's lifeless body to an undisclosed location. Anne Sanders (Anna Crilly) mentions volunteers escorting intoxicated men home, to which Kate invites her to visit her soon-to-open nightclub and continues her grim task. Later, Kate and Billie, with solemn resolve, chop Silvio's body with an axe.
Back at the jail, Violet pounds on the door, insisting on being allowed out to relieve herself. Frank dismisses her request curtly. She seemingly smears menstrual blood across his face, provoking him into shoving her against the wall. Lily watches intently from her bunk as Violet decries her mistreatment, hinting at an estranged sister when Lily offers her a cigarette and a job prospect on French Street upon her release. Before signing off, Violet reveals her origins from Elephant and Castle, introducing herself as Lily.
Evie confides in Alice, whispering that Kate's behavior has taken on an eerie turn. As they cautiously unlatch the door, they behold Silas Huxley (portrayed by Nabhaan Rizwan) in close quarters with Sophie. Alice gasps, insisting she hears her deceased brother's voice in the conversation. They stand frozen, witnessing Huxley inscribe an enigmatic symbol upon Sophie's forehead. Alice's father's footsteps echo in the hallway, prompting her to urge Evie to flee in haste.
Elsewhere, Kate finds herself immersed in a grim routine, scrubbing her bloody hands and Billie's hairpin clean. She places two tarot cards meticulously on a table, makes the sign of the cross, and drapes a towel over a concealed firearm. Billie's mind drifts to cherished fantasies of a typical mother-daughter bond, yet in reality, she confronts Kate, who brandishes a document for a nightclub. Kate suggests they could run it with unparalleled efficiency, but Billie scorns her as a contaminant, spoiling all she touches. Undeterred, Kate invites Billie to accompany her to the club the following day.
Inside the jail, Turner addresses Violet, revealing that Lily's parents declared her missing two years prior. Violet pleads for reinstatement, her heart heavy with urgency. Turner lays her uniform on the desk, demanding she prove herself worthy once more. As she prepares to depart, he emphasizes the paramount importance of trust. Kneeling before him, Violet expects a rebuke but is startled when he begins to unzip his pants, only to halt abruptly and label her pathetic. He contends that an undercover female officer would fare better in probing nightclubs than one in uniform. Turner asserts that her diligence in uncovering Lily's name has swayed the chief to grant her a second chance. Violet protests, affirming her commitment to aiding girls like Lily, not exploiting them.
Billie, along with a throng of women, showers Eddie with applause for his performance. She brandishes the nightclub's deed, whispering confidently that once Kate is gone, it shall be theirs. Meanwhile, Violet approaches Sarah Fisher (played by Laura Checkley) with an offer of money. Sarah lambasts her for deceit and the subsequent job loss, unmoved by Violet's boasts of financial stability and a home.
Elsewhere, Katie busies herself preparing shepherd's pie, unaware of Billie's imminent arrival. Evie cautions her that the meal harbors a sinister aura. Kate raises a toast to the future, expressing gratitude towards Billie. Shortly after, Evie inquiries about her father, prompting Kate to recount him as a wonderful man whose love knew no bounds. Billie watches from the doorway, her eyes narrow with suspicion. Kate turns to Evie, emphasizing that she, above all else, holds the utmost significance in her life.
As a noise echoes through the room, Frank swiftly drapes a cozy blanket over Penny Turner, played by Halle Tallulah, shielding her from potential danger. His movements are deliberate as he retrieves his firearm from a hidden drawer, its metallic gleam catching the dim light. Penny, now nestled comfortably in bed, receives Frank's assistance to scramble safely under the bed's wooden frame. With cautious steps, Frank descends the stairs, where he encounters Isabella Salucci, portrayed by Geraldine James, immersed in the preparation of a meal. She delicately places a slice of succulent meat onto a plate and offers it to him with a subtle nod.
Seated, Frank recounts the raid's suddenness, claiming he was unable to dispatch a warning to her amidst the chaos. Isabella, her voice tinged with concern, reveals that Silvio and the money have vanished into thin air. Frank vigorously shakes his head, denying any involvement or knowledge of their whereabouts. Just then, Damaso enters the scene, his brows furrowed in inquiry as to why they continue to remunerate Frank. Frank, unwavering, severs his ties with them, marking a definitive end.
Isabella, mid-bite of her meal, is transported back to a harrowing memory: her uncle shooting her and her father while they slumbered peacefully. She recounts the arduous journey she undertook, dragging her wounded body through the icy snow, her hunger gnawing at her until she stumbled upon her uncle once more. She shares a grim lesson, cautioning against consuming meat from an animal that met its end in terror, for its flavor is forever marked by fear. With a piercing gaze, she demands to know who dares to usurp Soho from her grasp.
Elsewhere, Sylvia Scott, embodied by Catrin Aaron, leads Kate on a nostalgic tour of the now-desolate nightclub. As Kate walks through the empty halls, her mind paints vivid images of the venue bustling with life and revelry, its dormant energy waiting to be rekindled.
