The third installment of ITV1's "Passenger," titled "Mourning and Mysteries in Chadder Vale," delves profoundly into the wake of Mehmet's demise, unveiling a community shrouded in grief and entangled in a labyrinth of enigmatic occurrences that continue to bewilder the inhabitants of Chadder Vale. The episode kicks off with the entire village of Chadder Vale plunged into a somber mourning, following the tragic loss of Mehmet. Derek Jackson (Daniel Ryan) and his sibling Kane (Nico Mirallegro) are portrayed as possessing deeper insights into the incident than they are inclined to reveal, casting a shadow of suspicion over their potential entanglement in the unfolding riddle.
Chief Markel (Susan Vidler) hastily dismisses Mehmet's death as either an accident or a suicide, a premature conclusion that Riya (Wunmi Mosaku) struggles to fathom, particularly as the pathologist's investigation is yet to commence. This sets the prelude for Riya's relentless pursuit to uncover the genuine circumstances behind Mehmet's passing.
During her conversation with Jim Bracknell (David Threlfall), Riya discovers that the wire surrounding his fracking site had been tampered with, yet his accusation that Eddie (Barry Sloane) was the perpetrator is met with disbelief. Riya's counsel for Jim to abandon his fracking endeavors falls upon deaf ears, as he remains steadfast in safeguarding his investment.
Meanwhile, Katie Wells (Rowan Robinson) prepares to embark on a trial shift in Manchester, but her departure is complicated by the unexpected return of her father to the village. Her mother's plea for Katie not to leave amidst Eddie's return creates a poignant scene that highlights the fractured dynamics within their family.
Riya's mission to break the heart-wrenching news of Mehmet's demise to his mother sends ripples of sorrow cascading through Chadder Vale. Lily, driven by an urgent need to share the tragedy, dashes to the bus stop, her intent clear: to intercept her sister, Katie, and inform her that the boy they both cherished has passed away, thereby halting Katie's impending journey to Manchester in its tracks.
The forensic team's unveiling of a purported suicide note meets with skepticism from Chief Constable Markel, whose eagerness to wrap up the case seems almost too convenient. Riya, however, remains unconvinced, her doubts only deepening upon the note's discovery.
A tense conference between Derek and Kane at Jumbo Bread reveals their involvement in the chain of events unfolding after Mehmet's death. Derek's enigmatic mention of relocating Mehmet's body and their scheme to plant a "second batch" at the fracking site hints at a far more intricate conspiracy. Riya's probe into the mystery of the missing rubbish bins, marked by 129 replacement requests over the past six months, leads her to an astonishing revelation. The inexplicable absence of these bins and her subsequent discovery of hundreds of them in an old lock-up compound the mystery shrouding Chadder Vale.
Nish's investigation into the enigmatic company 'Starlight Eco' and its ties to 'The Pangaea Initiative' uncovers a fresh trail of inquiry. His find of a computer game titled 'Passenger' amidst Nina Karlsson's possessions, coupled with the revelation that she was also a client of 'Starlight Eco,' adds another intricate layer to the already labyrinthine mystery.
John's guilt over Mehmet's death plunges him into a series of haunting hallucinations amidst the forest, where he is tormented by visions of Katie and his father. This psychological ordeal adds a poignant depth to the episode, further entangling the emotional fabric of Chadder Vale.
The episode draws to a close with the arrival of a group of suspicious men at The Good Hope Tree B&B, seeking a solitary room. Their identities and intentions shrouded in mystery, they add another layer of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
"Passenger" continues to enchant and enthrall with its intricately woven plot and enigmatic ensemble of characters. As the village of Chadder Vale grapples with the heartbreaking loss of Mehmet and the myriad secrets surrounding his death, the audience is left with a lingering sense of foreboding and an eager anticipation for the next episode.
