The third chapter of "Playing Nice" unfolds in a tempest of dramatic and emotionally charged scenarios, further entangling the Riley family in a web of complexities. The narrative kicks off with Pete Riley (James Norton) and Anika Chowdhury (Sunetra Sarker) being grilled by DS Ridley (Alisha Bailey) and DS Chopra (Akbar Kurtha) regarding the baby tag scandal. The tension reaches a boiling point when the investigators level accusations at Pete, suggesting that he swapped his brain-injured son for a healthy infant, prompting Anika, portrayed with poise by Rebekah Murrell, to terminate the interrogation.
In a confidential huddle, Anika voices her misgivings about Pete's trustworthiness, particularly after he stood up for Stella Collingwood. She urges Pete and Maddie Wilson (Niamh Algar) to maintain a low profile until the trial's conclusion.
The journey back home from the police station is fraught with anxiety and unease. Maddie, already harboring suspicions, confronts Pete about his honesty, questioning whether his support for Stella stems from his involvement in the baby swap. Pete's attempt to clarify Stella's visit and its emotional impact on him only fuels Maddie's discomfort. Upon their return, Pete is confronted once more, this time by Kiera (Posy Sterling), who captures his aggressive reaction on camera, further tarnishing his public persona.
As the episode progresses, Pete's woes multiply. Anika reaches out to him regarding the altercation with Kiera, while Maddie begins to question their aptitude as parents to Theo (Alban Guo) and David (Fraser Cornelissen). Her heart-to-heart with Ollie (Theo Ogundipe) provides a fleeting moment of reassurance, but the overall situation remains taut and tense.
Pete's meeting with court advisor Lyn Edwards (Sarah Edwardson) adds another layer of scrutiny. She suggests he attend parenting classes, a proposal that Pete initially brushes off with a derisive laugh.
The emotional turmoil intensifies as Theo experiences a night terror, imagining monsters lurking in his room. Pete's reassuring presence offers a brief oasis of calm from the turmoil. However, the situation deteriorates when Pete receives news of another damaging article about the "Baby Swap" from Jen (Amy Morgan). His attempt to elucidate the situation to Maddie is delayed, leading to additional misunderstandings and Maddie's decision to take a brief respite from their relationship.
As Pete is away, staying with his father, John Riley (Phil Davis), Maddie delivers Theo to the doorstep of Miles Lambert (James McArdle). Her plea to bring David to the beach encounters reluctance, overshadowed by the relentless media scrutiny. Jen's refusal to let Pete stay at her place adds fuel to his frustration, but her proposition to delve into Miles's past ignites a new trail for him to follow.
Pete's investigation unearths an article about a fire in Braemyre, drawing him closer to Edith Lambert (Maureen Beattie). Despite her initial hesitation, Edith listens intently to Pete's narrative, though she offers scant new insights. Pete's dogged determination shines through as he leaves his contact information, harboring hope for future revelations.
Pete's unexpected return from Scotland is met with skepticism from Maddie, still miffed about his missed visit with David. The situation spirals when Pete discovers Miles at his father's house, sparking a fiery confrontation. The tension between Pete and Miles is almost tangible, as they exchange passive-aggressive barbs before Miles storms off.
Maddie's work is abruptly interrupted by a call from Lucy Lambert (Jessica Brown Findlay), sending her on a harrowing journey to the hospital where Theo is feared to have consumed more cannabis gummies. Amidst the chaos, Theo thankfully emerges unscathed, but the custody battle rumbles on. The family court's verdict deals a crushing blow to the Rileys, awarding full custody to the Lamberts until the next hearing and restricting the Rileys to supervised visits, accompanied by mandatory drug testing.
The episode draws to a close with a stark juxtaposition between the Riley and Lambert families. As Pete and Maddie return to their empty home, Miles and Lucy triumphantly escort both Theo and David back to their abode. The episode leaves viewers with a lingering sense of unease, as the Rileys' relentless pursuit of justice and family unity remains fraught with formidable obstacles and heart-wrenching trials.
