As the fifth chapter of "Grace" unfolds, an enigmatic object drifts into view amidst the shimmering waters beside a cluster of windmills. Soon after, a woman stumbles upon a barrel, its contents revealing a grim discovery—a lifeless body. Detective Inspector Glenn Branson (played by Richie Campbell) hastily dials Ari from the crime scene, informing her that Detective Superintendent Roy Grace (portrayed by John Simm) has finally seized a moment of rest, indulging in a rare weekend break. Meanwhile, Ari Branson (Rebecca Sroggs) finds herself manning the late shift once again, grappling with a short-staffed ward where only two nurses are responsible for twenty patients.
Upon concluding his call, DS Bella Moy (Laura Elphinstone) fills Glenn in on the victim's details. Dr. Nadiuska De Sancha (Carolina Valdes) examines the body, concluding that the victim's neck was shattered. An acrid scent of bleach lingers in the air, adding to the macabre ambiance. Glenn seeks answers, eager to uncover who supplied the ominous barrel.
Elsewhere, Driton (Arthur Aliiev) issues commands, herding individuals into a van. Laura (Isabelle Shuka) reassures a distressed woman, urging her to stay close. Driton intercepts the woman, hinting at a special surprise awaiting her from their boss. In a different locale, Kipp Kavinda (Abhin Galeya) expresses his enthusiasm for spending quality time with Frank Kavinda (Tobias Jowett) at the game. However, Frank's mood darkens, prompting him to abruptly depart.
Dr. Zara Kavinda (Maya Sondhi) lightheartedly remarks on their morning's successes, while Margot Balkwill (Margot Leicester) prepares a bag for Bruno (Finn Guegan), noting his preference for a lit room to alleviate his nightmares. Their conversation shifts to Cleo (Zoe Tapper), described as heartbroken. Margot laments the unfairness of losing a child, as Roy prepares for a bonding trip with Bruno.
Dren (Madalina Bellariu) whispers to Kona (Eddie Mannon) about an accelerated escape plan, contingent on her fulfilling a task for Baloz. Kona, wary of Baloz's intentions, agrees to flee once the passports are secured. At the stadium, Kipp and Frank's argument escalates, leading Frank to seek solitude. Meanwhile, a powdery substance is stealthily inserted into a camera battery.
Allegra (Maja Bloom) beckons Dren to take a seat upon her arrival. Noel Ludlow (Oaklee Pendergast) catches up with Frank at the stadium, proposing a pint to ease tensions. Patrick Morris (Ewan Bailey) receives a call amid the stadium's bustling atmosphere. Allegra informs him that Brighton Royal Football Club must transfer two million pounds to a designated account by the match's conclusion; failure to do so will trigger an explosion at the final whistle. She warns him against premature evacuations.
Dren slips through security unnoticed and proceeds to assemble the explosive device in a bathroom stall. Upon completion, she returns to her seat, placing the bag casually beside her and sends Allegra a photo as proof of her successful task. The bomb threat shadows Patrick Morris. Glenn and his team, alerted to the stadium's peril, intercept Morris just after Dren's assembly. Glenn attempts to reach Roy, while Kipp is escorted to Morris's presence.
With tension mounting and seconds ticking down to the final whistle, the scene is set for a dramatic climax, where loyalty, bravery, and survival hang by a fragile thread.
Kipp is introduced to Glenn as one of the key investors in the situation. Glenn cautiously explains that paying the ransom might not be the wisest course of action, preferring instead to buy time to locate the explosive device. He promptly dials Cleo, inquiring about the location of Roy's season ticket seats. Once she assists him, she is apprised of the dire bomb threat looming over the stadium. Unable to reach Roy, Cleo, filled with urgency, dashes out of the house. Meanwhile, Frank chooses to ignore his father's call. Dren, observing police officers accompanied by dogs patrolling the area, feels a growing sense of unease.
Roy spots Glenn nearby and catches up with him, learning about the menacing threat and the discovery of a body. He ponders whether the victim's background ties to a lab or a bomb-making facility, noting that TATP could potentially be identified as part of the device within the day. Nick is entrusted with the responsibility of looking after Bruno temporarily. As Roy engages in conversation with Patrick Morris, Dren's anxiety spikes as the police dogs draw nearer.
Determined to fetch Bruno from the stadium, Cleo insists to Roy that she handle this task. With time slipping away, Kipp advocates for paying the ransom. Allegra, in another call to Morris, makes it clear that the funds should be transferred within the next quarter of an hour.
At home, Bruno pesters Cleo with questions, inquiring about the possibility of an explosion before bolting upstairs. Allegra urges Dren to plug in a connecting cable and evacuate the premises immediately. Roy, noticing Dren fumbling with something in her bag, alerts security units to her location. Dren attempts to make a hasty exit from the stadium just as Roy locates the explosive device. With steady resolve, he picks it up and carries it away from the unsuspecting crowd, delivering it to a technician skilled in handling such hazards. Moments later, Dren hears an explosion echoing behind her. The EOD technician confirms the successful detonation of the TATP.
Later, Roy reflects on the day's narrow escape with Bella, remarking on their good fortune. Meanwhile, a van appears to be tailing Frank and Noel, who are soon abducted by masked figures. Roy calls Cleo to assure her of everyone's well-being, which she conveys to Bruno, who emerges from his room to glimpse the nursery. Roy and Glenn scrutinize CCTV footage of Dren fleeing the stadium, with Roy contemplating releasing her image to the media. Dren catches up with Allegra, pleading for their passports, but Allegra refuses, insisting that her work is not yet done. Dren flees the scene.
The masked kidnappers search Frank and Noel, finding that Frank no longer has his phone. In a bid to distract Bruno, Cleo engages him in a game, and he, sensing her turmoil, reaches out to comfort her by touching her hand. Elsewhere, Nick and the team intensify their efforts to track down the bomber. Glenn emphasizes that Semtex would have been impossible to smuggle past security, prompting them to investigate potential accomplices. Roy suggests rest, but Glenn urges him to speak with Bella, who expresses a desire to continue working. Roy accommodates her wish but later returns home to find Bruno peacefully asleep. Cleo instantly checks on him, and Roy mentions the possibility of calling Sandy's parents to retrieve Bruno. Cleo expresses her desire to be there for him but admits that it serves as a poignant reminder of what she lacks.
Zara and Kipp discuss Frank's unexplained absence, with Zara advocating for calling the police. Kipp counters that the police's priority lies with the bomber rather than a rebellious teenager. Dren calls Kona, acknowledging his earlier warnings and expressing frustration over their ongoing predicament and lack of passports.
Frank confronts Noel, insisting he has no business being entangled in this mess, convinced that the kidnappers are solely after his father's fortune. Meanwhile, Nick and Bella scrutinize CCTV footage of a suspicious van, which leads them to the crime scene where Frank's abandoned cellphone lies. Elsewhere, Roy and Glenn discuss Kipp, a man drowning in financial woes. They engage Kipp and Zara in conversation about the kidnapping, with Roy mentioning a text received from a contact named Dalek around 11:30 p.m. Zara reveals Frank's solitary nature, never inviting friends home. Kipp clarifies that a disagreement led Frank to switch seats. Suddenly, Kipp receives a chilling message from the kidnappers, demanding one million pounds to be transferred to a crypto account. Zara, desperate, advocates for paying the ransom immediately. In a private moment, she confides in Roy about a hit-and-run accident that claimed their daughter Kayleigh's life, tearing their family apart. Losing Frank, she fears, would be the final blow.
In a secluded corner, Driton and Kona grow impatient, Kona insisting that their payment is overdue yet confident it will arrive. Bella informs Roy that the woman who placed the call to the stadium was Albanian, and analysis suggests the caller was not present within the stadium's premises. The caller and the bomber are deemed separate entities, with suspicions falling on the man spotted on the beach as being involved in crafting the bomb. Nick reveals that the bomb's detonator contained TATP, matching the chemical traces found on an unidentified male. Nick and Bella set out to question members of the Albanian community, catching Laura's attention as she spots their flyer. She hastily calls Dren, warning her that the entire nation is on the lookout. Laura discloses that Kona failed to return last night, and Allegra is probing deeper.
Driton and Kona's patience wears thin as they await Kipp's payment. Noel is dragged out and brutally assaulted by Driton, until Kona intervenes, returning Noel to the storage container with Frank. Meanwhile, Dren encounters Laura, who urges her to flee. Alas, Allegra captures Dren, tossing her into a cage and warning her against escape. Allegra notifies someone of their new prisoner. Glenn enlightens Roy that Frank's friend is Noel Ludlow, a freshman at Preston Grove College, nicknamed Dalek. Noel's parents, Joseph and Elena, are interrogated. Elena reveals her son texted that he'd be staying with a friend, unaware of the pre-text kidnapping. Roy informs them the abduction preceded the text. Joseph claims ignorance of Frank. Roy speculates Noel was an unwitting bystander, given the absence of a ransom demand.
At the station, Nick alerts Roy that a black Vauxhall van was reported stolen three days prior, now sporting new plates. Glenn adds that Kipp's business stands on the brink of collapse, ignoring his lawyer's advice to declare insolvency. Bella announces the FLO report on the Kavindas, noting Kipp's mysterious disappearance. Kipp stumbles upon a severely beaten Noel. When Glenn and Roy arrive, they're confronted with a threatening message promising an even grimmer fate for Frank. Roy believes Kipp's solo venture has compromised the entire rescue mission. Kipp must reveal something crucial if they are to locate Frank. Glenn reminds him of his impending financial ruin, adding urgency to Kipp's confession.
Kipp readily concedes that Zara remains an enigma to everyone, acknowledging a profound shift in his demeanor since Kayleigh's untimely demise. Meanwhile, Roy devises a plan to clone Kipp's phone and delve into the company's records, seeking clarity amidst the chaos. Frank finds himself handed a simple bottle of water, a gesture that seems both mundane and loaded with unspoken significance. Elsewhere, Kona and Driton confer, grappling with their next steps, with Kona receiving dire instructions to incinerate the van.
Noel recounts his harrowing ordeal of being blindfolded and abducted by masked figures, his voice trembling as he relives the terror. Roy prompts him to recall any distinguishing voices or accents, to which Noel responds by revealing their preoccupation with extracting money from Frank. During the struggle, one assailant grew agitated and struck him. Elena Ludlow, played by Kaisa Hammarlund, offers solace while Joseph Ludlow, portrayed by Shaun Dingwall, underscores the importance of Noel's rest and recovery.
Laura Kristo, her eyes welling with tears, scrutinizes an article from The Argus detailing the discovery of a male body on the shore. The accompanying photo stirs poignant memories, depicting her alongside the deceased man, whom she now realizes is her fiancé, Zenith. At the police station, Branson leads a meeting, with Nick pinpointing a specific region on a map as the origin of samples sent to Kipp. Roy decides to make this area the focal point of their search.
Laura confides in Bella, revealing that the Baloz, also known as "Sea Monster," enforces compliance through fear, threatening the families of those who defy his orders. She alleges that Zenith Evangjeli was tasked with a mission he refused to undertake. At the morgue, Laura's heart breaks as she positively identifies Zenith's body. Bella speculates that Zenith's refusal to plant the bomb led to his tragic fate.
At the crime scene, Joseph Ludlow expresses his desire to take Noel home, but Roy firmly insists he remains for further questioning. Meanwhile, Bella leads an armed tactical team into a worker's residence, the tension palpable. Noel verifies that the farm served as the site of his and Frank's captivity, evidence of Frank's presence found in the form of his shirt. Elsewhere, Bella uncovers a cache of fake British IDs and documents, alerting Roy to the presence of undocumented Eastern European nationals. A woman claims familiarity with the bomber, revealing he shares quarters with her brother.
Frank, visibly distressed, is bound with a rope in the back of a moving van as Kona speeds along the road, urgency etched on his face. Driton, meanwhile, stands watching as individuals are loaded into a police van, ignoring a call from Baloz. A text message flashes on his screen, demanding his presence at Dials Way Car Park within the hour.
Branson informs Roy that Kipp's collaboration with Merida Blue, which owns the worker's house and potentially employs Baloz, raises serious questions about his involvement. Roy reminds Branson of Kipp's history with organized crime. The room erupts as Nick and Bella burst in, presenting photos of Laura working at the stadium days before the bomb threat. Laura, tears streaming down her face, claims she was misled into believing it involved drugs. Roy corrects her, revealing that Zenith developed the TATP explosive used in the bomb, suggesting Brighton as the likely location. He presents her with fake British IDs, which she identifies as belonging to Kona and Dren Dashvilli, siblings missing since the bombing. She recognizes Frank as Baloz's son, a revelation that ties the threads of their complex narrative together.
Lena catches Joseph in the midst of packing his laptop and files, a sense of urgency evident in his actions. He informs her they are departing Brighton and steps outside to discover Kipp already awaiting him in his vehicle. Joseph sternly reprimands Kipp for showing up unannounced and confesses to having smashed his phone in the aftermath of the bomb scare. Kipp, inquisitive about Frank's whereabouts, is met with Joseph's accusation of being responsible for a two-million-pound loss. Kipp countercharges Joseph with lying about the bomb being a hoax, to which Joseph insists was never his intention, reminding Kipp of his pledge to ensure the club footed the bill for their fans' protection. Kipp apologizes for the club's refusal and pleads desperately for Frank's safe return, but Joseph threatens him with dire consequences if he doesn't vacate the premises immediately.
At the police station, Nick informs Roy that Kipp's phone appears clean of incriminating evidence. Roy speculates that he might possess another device. Shortly thereafter, Branson executes a search warrant at the Ludlow residence, while Joseph is absent. Meanwhile, Kipp confides in Bell and Roy that liquidating his portfolio fell short of covering his two-million-pound debt. Roy poses the question if Joseph had leveraged blackmail against Kipp's club to recoup his losses, to which Kipp admits to orchestrating the scheme alongside Joseph. Zara lambasts him for jeopardizing Frank's safety, accusing him of taking part in a plot where Joseph supposedly declared the bomb fake while holding Frank captive. Unwilling to hear any more, she storms off, leaving Roy to instruct Kipp to remain where he is before departing.
Roy briefs Branson, Bella, and Nick on the latest developments at the station. Branson posits that the kidnappers might have been tipped off about the impending raid on the farm. Roy directives a search of Joseph's real estate holdings. Elsewhere, Joseph abruptly confronts Driton in a parking garage, demanding answers for Noel's beating. Driton claims Kona forced Noel into a car and administered the beating. Joseph persists in his inquiry about Frank's location, to which Driton responds it's at the farm. Joseph, however, insists he has already sold the farm that was raided by police.
In a separate scene, Kona receives a text from Dren, warning of the police closing in, necessitating their immediate departure. Allegra sends Joseph a message confirming the bait has been taken, prompting her and the others to commence cleaning up the old factory. Meanwhile, Kona forces Frank to assure Dren of his good treatment. Frank complies. Kona promises an end to their ordeal soon, but Driton interrupts, striking Frank with a tire iron. Following Joseph's instructions, Driton secures Frank beneath Newhaven Pier. Joseph snapshots Frank and shares the image with Kipp, as Frank struggles against his bindings. Joseph and Driton then depart the scene.
Back at the police station, Roy informs his team about the photo of Frank, sent from the phone used in the blackmail scheme, bringing them closer to unraveling the intricate web of deceit and danger.
Driton drags an unconscious Kona into the dusty, abandoned factory, its walls echoing with the eerie silence of neglect. Allegra, with a grim determination, drenches the entire structure in a trail of flammable liquid, her actions unstoppable as Dren begs her in vain to halt the impending doom. A shadowy figure steps forward, his cigarette spark igniting the inferno, consuming the factory in a maelstrom of fire.Dren narrowly escapes the blaze, her heart pounding as she realizes Kona is still trapped within the burning confines. Desperation drives her to force the door, but it explodes with a thunderous roar, sending her sprawling across the room in a cloud of smoke and debris.
Meanwhile, at Newhaven Pier, Frank's struggles against his bonds are futile as the relentless tide inches closer, threatening to claim him. Inside the police station, Branson holds up a photo of Kona for Roy, whose eyes narrow in thought. Roy speculates that Noel might have been the one who tipped him off about the raid. Bella interrupts with an urgent call, informing them of the factory inferno. Nick reveals that the factory belongs to Joseph, setting the stage for a darker revelation.
At Newhaven Pier, Driton's warning to Dren to stay away falls on deaf ears, her fury focused solely on Joseph, whom she blames for Kona's death. The call ends abruptly as Joseph catches Driton using his phone, his trigger finger itching with lethal intent. Driton falls, leaving Dren racing towards the pier on a stolen motorbike, her mind a whirlwind of grief and revenge.
At the factory ruins, Bella updates Roy, informing him that Kona's body has been found, hinting that it might have been used to assemble the bomb due to the explosive residues discovered. She mentions Dren fleeing the scene on the same stolen bike. Elsewhere, Roy breaks the heart-wrenching news of Kona's demise to Noel, who, overwhelmed with guilt, confesses his role in the extortion scheme. In a moment of clarity, he urges Roy to reach out to Dren.
Noel's call to Dren is steeped in sorrow and regret, but she blames Joseph unequivocally. Glenn intercepts their conversation, informing Roy that Dren is heading towards Newhaven Port, East Pier. Armed with a makeshift weapon, Dren confronts Joseph, who aims a handgun at her. In a dance of death, she dodges a bullet and retaliates, her strikes relentless until she snatches the weapon from his grasp. Roy's arrival adds another layer of tension; his mind juggling the immediate threat and Frank's perilous situation. Dren, compliant under Roy's command, tosses the gun into the water, just as Roy dives into the surging waves to rescue Frank, assisted by Glenn.
Amid the turmoil, Dren slips away, Allegra is apprehended, and Frank is reunited with Zara and Kipp, his relationship with his father mended. Glenn, despite his hesitations, decides to arrest Kipp, who faces a harsher sentence than deserved. Noel, burdened by his actions, confesses to Elena, both leaving in the custody of a police officer.
Roy shares a heartfelt moment with Bruno, recounting the fish, Marlon, that his mother won at the fair. Returning to Margot later, he finds Dren still at liberty, her freedom a lingering specter. Cleo, finding solace in Bruno's presence, expresses her desire to return to work, tired of living in the shadows of her past. Roy, acknowledging her resilience, offers her a way back to her old life.
As the dust settles, Cleo feels the weight of her memories but finds hope in a renewed purpose. The narrative weaves through emotions and actions, painting a vivid tapestry of justice, grief, and the pursuit of redemption.
