As the curtains fall on the final chapter of Dope Girls, Eddie Cobb (Michael Duke) and his companions are enveloped in a poignant reminiscence of Lily Lee's (Priya Kansara) untimely demise. Violet Davies (Eliza Scanlen), her voice tinged with sorrow, recounts the grim details of Lily's last moments—a trace of blood adorning her chin and fragments of a policeman's skin lodged in her stomach. Meanwhile, Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson) steps into the sanctity of a church, where the priest leads the congregation in a prayerful remembrance for Silvio Salucci.
Kate then engages in a conversation with Damaso Salucci (Dustin Demri-Burns) about the thriving drug trade. Luca (Rory Fleck Byrne) joins their circle, his words laced with stark honesty as he declares that all present bear the stain of sin. He extends an invitation to Kate for a family lunch, hoping to bridge the gap between worlds. Frank Turner (Ian Bonar) finds solace in his daughter's company, amidst the swirling chaos.
Violet, seen clutching a suspicious bag, retrieves a knife with deliberate intent. Frank, sensing danger, urges Walter to keep a vigilant watch for Violet and contact the station if she's spotted. Luca continues to nudge Kate, who concedes that he was indeed correct about the cocaine venture's profitability. Their recent night surpassed all previous financial successes, earning them unprecedented wealth. Grateful, Kate expresses optimism for an even grander night ahead and tasks Luca with bringing more supplies for their post-Victory Ball celebration. She argues that the women should spearhead the drug sales, believing they will be more generous with their earnings than the men. Luca demands a 60% cut from the bar proceeds, escalating his request to 70% when Kate hesitates. He threatens that if she refuses, Damaso will soon discover her true capabilities.
From a nearby vantage point, Isabella (Geraldine James) and Damaso discuss Luca's bold actions. Isabella mocks Damaso's overprotective stance, likening his caution to fear of getting his "salami wet." As Luca creates a commotion, Isabella claims she is merely trying to shield him, praising his backbone and fiery spirit. She goes further, suggesting that Luca should lead the family.
Kate, determined to maintain control, interrogates the girls about the attendees for the ball, planning to offer them invites to an after-party that promises to be unforgettable. Billie Cassidy (Umi Myers) reveals that after tomorrow night, she intends to pursue a movie role, leaving Eddie puzzled by her abrupt decision.
Violet confronts Mrs. Fisher, accusing her of betrayal. She insists that a life has been lost due to Mrs. Fisher's actions. Mrs. Fisher advises Violet to seek justice through the commissioner, but Violet is skeptical of the system's integrity, believing they will escape unscathed as always. Violet implores Mrs. Fisher to help expose Frank Turner's guilt.
Luca returns, engaging Damaso in a conversation about smuggling cocaine at the club. Luca teasingly suggests that Damaso's long-unmarried status stems from a preference for younger partners. Damaso, taken aback, grapples with Luca until the latter brandishes a gun, placing it perilously close to his temple. Luca hands the weapon back, urging Damaso to take action, to prove he has the stomach for confrontation. But Damaso remains steadfast, refusing to pull the trigger. Luca, overwhelmed with emotion, breaks into tears.
Elsewhere, Kate, Billie, and Evie (Eilidh Fisher) labor over invitations, Evie voicing fears of a potential no-show. The tension is palpable, yet hope flickers in their efforts to forge ahead amidst the encroaching darkness.
Damasco arrives at the door and announces to Kate with a sense of ceremony, "Boudica." That is the moniker he has chosen for his steed, inspired by her. He harbors the belief that Kate harbors affections for his brother, but Kate firmly asserts her preference for Damaso, engaging in playful banter with him. She claims that individuals like Luca are ephemeral, whereas those like them—referring to Damaso and herself—are enduring. Damaso concedes that the situation is tangled and chaotic. Kate, ever the empath, offers her assistance to navigate these murky waters.
At work, Frank overhears whispers about the grim occurrence on French Street. Mrs. Fisher catches him eavesdropping and reveals her knowledge of Violet Davies' whereabouts. Meanwhile, Kate's companions prepare for their grand evening, their excitement palpable. Reggie Regbo (played by Jordan Kouame) joins Billie, proposing to accompany her. He suggests they embark on this adventure together, but Billie gently declines, insisting they are not suited. Reggie barely recognizes her anymore, hoping she has found happiness in America. Kate, eavesdropping on this exchange, takes mental note.
Luca arrives at the club, inquiring about the impending party. Kate assures him they will be in attendance. Evie, determined to convince Alice (portrayed by Eloise Thomas) to join her, decides she will attend regardless of Alice's decision. Kate wonders at the tardiness of her guests, her curiosity interrupted by Eddie's announcement that although the initial event has concluded, they are still present. Violet, influenced by illicit substances, brandishes a gun. She approaches Frank from behind, striking him in the head with the weapon and demanding he surrender his own firearm. Frank complies, expressing a desire for dialogue and a fresh start.
However, Violet's rage is unyielding; she attacks him, holding a knife to his throat. Frank's laughter puzzles her as he explains his inability to be around her anymore. In a fit of fury, Violet stabs him in the abdomen and frames him by planting the gun on his lifeless body.
At the club, Kate discreetly nods at Susan, who keeps Luca occupied. He catches a glimpse of Kate ascending the stairs and follows her. Kate, seeking refuge, locks herself in a room, but Luca, accusing her of stealing his drugs and money, pursues her relentlessly. He enters the room, gun drawn, and begins a futile search. When Kate emerges, Luca demands the money, threatening her with violence. Damaso, intervening from behind, fatally shoots Luca. Kate, urging Damaso to assert control over his family, seizes the gun and fires another shot at Luca as Evie watches through the window in horror.
Billie, lost in the throes of her performance, remains oblivious to the chaos unfolding around her. Damaso urges Kate to flee while he handles the aftermath. Violet, seeking redemption, attempts to speak with Frederick Asquith-Gore (played by Will Keen). Evie, watching her mother return to the club, feels a complex mix of emotions. As Violet arrives, she apologizes to Kate, only for the police to raid the club moments later. Kate, once again, finds herself in handcuffs.
With a hearty laugh echoing within the confines of a cell, she shares a moment of joy with Billie. Kate confides in her, her voice tinged with sentiment, "I've missed you every single day. I am incredibly proud of you." Billie, however, confides a bombshell: she intends to decline the movie offer.
Elsewhere, Damaso approaches Isabella with grave news. Her face pales as she learns of Turner's demise, discovered with Silvio's gun by his side. Damaso, his eyes hard as steel, declares, "I never trusted that scurvy rat." He vows to hunt down Luca's killer without fail.
Addressing the gathered crowd with a stern resolve, Frederick announces the arrests following a raid on an underground nightclub. His voice resonates with authority as he stresses, "Vice will not be tolerated in our midst." Kate watches from the sidelines, her heart pounding in hope, wondering if Violet's uniform had been worth the risk.
Violet, with a cunning gleam in her eye, extends an offer. Both women, driven by the thirst for power, see an opportunity in the chaos. She smiles triumphantly, revealing that the raid has worked to their mutual advantage. With a clean slate, she has been reinstated. The papers, unaware of the undercurrents, have crowned Kate the Queen of Soho.
Violet leans in closer, her tone confidential. "I seek a partnership, Kate. Imagine the information we could share, in privacy." Frederick, caught in their web, is questioned about his relationship with Kate. Violet's lips curl into a knowing smile. "We can claw our way to the top, even as we stand on opposite sides publicly."
Kate, donning her finest attire, steps into the limelight, effortlessly stealing Frederick's thunder. When pressed about the future of the club, her voice rings with defiance. "I am in the business of creating joy, not squashing it. People deserve to dance, to revel in their moments of pleasure. It is what sustains us." She swears that her club will never close easily.
