Season 9, Episode 5 of "Grantchester" plunges viewers into a stark and haunting realm of exploitation, concealed schemes, and haunting pasts. Building momentum from its predecessor, the narrative centers on Detective Inspector Geordie Keating (portrayed by Robson Green) and the recently appointed vicar, Alphy Kotteram (Rishi Nair), as they confront a series of enigmatic deaths intertwined with Harrison and Sons, a local factory employing young women under dire conditions.
The episode unfolds with Esme (played by Skye Lucia Degruttola), Geordie's daughter, embarking on her fresh employment at Harrison and Sons. It becomes apparent almost instantly that the workplace is a far cry from ideal. The female employees are objectified and subjected to a degrading game orchestrated by the male workforce, assigning them labels such as "Doris Days" or "Marilyns," thus laying the groundwork for the impending tragedy.
Among these girls, Mae Jenkins (Phoebe Licorish) is discovered deceased, shrouded in mystery. Geordie and Alphy dive into the investigation, uncovering a labyrinthine network of secrets embedded within the factory's very walls. Miss Scott (Melissa Johns), an undercover police officer masquerading as a new recruit, emerges as a linchpin in gathering incriminating information and shedding light on the grim realities.
As the inquiry deepens, a pivotal detail surfaces – Mae's severe allergy to almonds. This revelation prompts a reconsideration of the birthday cake found at the crime scene. Upon verification with the bakery, it transpires that the cake was devoid of almonds, hinting at a sinister intervention.
Simultaneously, Geordie stumbles upon Esme's use of birth control pills, a discovery that rifts him and Cathy (Kacey Ainsworth). Cathy, feeling impotent and distressed over her daughter's choices, pours her heart out to Dr. Bennett (Andrew McLay). Overwhelmed by her anxieties, Dr. Bennett prescribes her mood stabilizers, serving as a poignant testament to the ripple effects of the factory's dark underbelly.
The investigation undergoes a pivotal shift when Miss Scott uncovers a recurring pattern of "cleaning fees" disbursed by Harrison and Sons, which bear no correspondence to any actual cleaning services rendered. A deeper dive into the matter unravels a haunting link to a past tragedy—the demise of Jane Goldman, who succumbed to a botched abortion eighteen years prior.
As evidence mounts, Geordie and Alphy confront Mr. Harrison (Peter Polycarpou), the factory's proprietor, who deftly deflects accountability by portraying the young women as scheming troublemakers. Yet, Miss Scott's groundbreaking discovery of another fatality—Iris Buchanan, found deceased in the factory's storeroom with a questionable "cleaning fee" transaction—uncovers a darker, more ominous narrative.
Miss Scott stealthily infiltrates the storeroom and stumbles upon a bottle of almond essence. She confronts Miss Cheadle (Serena Evans), the factory supervisor, who then confesses a harrowing truth. Miss Cheadle admits to tampering with the girls' birth control pills by lacing them with almond essence, fully aware that Mae's allergy would render them ineffective. Her motive stems from a和恐惧 of losing her job and the authority she wields over the impressionable young women.
The episode crescendos with the arrest of Miss Cheadle, bringing justice to the victims, albeit leaving emotional wounds that linger long after. Esme, still grappling with her own harrowing experience at the factory, finds solace in Miss Scott's companionship, hinting at a budding friendship forged through their shared ordeal.
Cathy, weighed down by guilt and anxiety, resolves to take the medication prescribed by Dr. Bennett. This decision marks a pivotal turn in her character arc, suggesting a nascent journey towards self-care and emotional stability.
The episode concludes with a poignant reflection from Sylvia Chapman (Tessa Peake-Jones), Alphy's housekeeper. She elucidates to Cathy how women, often overshadowed and underappreciated, are the unsung heroes who hold families and communities together. This heartfelt exchange underscores the episode's profound exploration of female agency and resilience amidst exploitation and societal pressures.
