The episode kicks off with the captivating voice of the narrator, Amelie Abbott, weaving a tale centered around a golden-haired princess none other than Cinderella. The scene shifts to a bustling pantomime committee meeting where CC Lowsley, portrayed by Robert Daws, extends his heartfelt congratulations to Chairman Aubrey Frobisher (Martyn Ellis) and his newlywed bride, Bunny Frobisher (Katherine Kingsley). Mrs. Clam (Belinda Lang), however, sports a less than jubilant expression. Aubrey introduces Bunny to the group, revealing her background as a talented actress. Lowsley then brings up the pressing matter of appointing a director, to which Aubrey suggests an intriguing candidate: Jonas Blake (Ed Birch), an esteemed Australian playwright, as their guest director. Clam, unfamiliar with Jonas, learns that he has graciously offered his services. Meanwhile, Samira Rowbotham (Mina Anwar), a renowned actress, expresses her earnest desire to take on the directorial role. Lowsley reassures the committee that Jonas's involvement could draw a sizable crowd. Aubrey playfully wonders if perhaps Samira would shine even brighter in the spotlight. Bunny drops a bombshell, announcing that Laurence Olivier himself will be in attendance for their final performance. Miss Thimble (Sarah Crowden) reads aloud Clause 18, stipulating a vote for nonmembers' participation, which is unanimously approved by raising hands.
Elsewhere, a solitary man leans against a tree, his clothes dusted with snow, as his pointer finger subtly moves. A crow pecks curiously at him, adding an eerie note to the tranquil scene.
In the midst of a serene church service, Wilf Wilson (Daniel Laurie) lights a candle, casting a warm glow around him. Lowsley persuades Peggy Button (Virginia Fiol), known for her melodious voice, to audition for the role of Cinderella. Sam Gillespie (Max Brown) promptly declares that acting is not his forte. Undeterred, Lowsley insists that Felix Livingstone (Jerry Iwu) and Sam attend the auditions regardless. Sister Boniface (Lorna Watson), Sister Reginald (also played by Virginia Fiol), and Sister Peter (Tina Chiang) inspect a scrawny turkey, while Reverend Mother Adrian (Carolyn Pickles) seeks volunteers for chaperoning the Sunday School Medley. Sister Boniface is transported back by a flashback to a traumatic Sunday School Medley experience, prompting her to assign Sister Reginald the task of fattening up the undersized bird.
Clam posts an enticing announcement for the auditions of "Cinderella," piquing the curiosity of all. Norman Whalley, portrayed by Jack Gouldbourne, engages in a conversation with Jonas, an actor-turned-playwright. Jonas, with a hint of enthusiasm, encourages Norman to audition for a part in the upcoming production, cautioning him about the rigorous weeks of rehearsal that lie ahead. Norman's excitement skyrockets upon spotting Peggy. Meanwhile, Reverend Mother and Wilf herd a chorus of lively children through a bustling parking lot, causing Sister Boniface and Sister Peter to bark commands from a safe distance. Felix, menacing with authority, threatens to apprehend the mischievous tots, who promptly comply by placing their hands on their heads and marching in line behind Sister Peter. Felix informs Sister Boniface of Lowsley's directive for everyone to audition, prompting Reverend Mother to insist that Wilf also signs up. Samira expresses her reservations about Wilf, a patient at Grimley Chase, leaving the premises at will. Reverend Mother assures her that the warden trusts Wilf's competency, adding that he had even lent him a bicycle. Samira gives Clam a sidelong glance, hinting at her disapproval when Clam offers Wilf the position of assistant props master, which Wilf, mistaking it for a pivotal role, eagerly accepts.
Elsewhere, Bunny envelops Aubrey in a warm embrace, inquiring if he has given thought to Jonas' proposal for his new play. Aubrey reveals his preference for more volatile investments, prompting Bunny to teasingly rib him. Just then, Miranda Frobisher, played by Tiffany Gray, bursts in, drawing Aubrey's rebuke for spending too much time in the stable. Bunny advises Miranda on the necessity of proper attire and makeup, to which she responds sarcastically, hinting at her aspirations to catch a wealthy suitor. Aubrey promptly assigns her to work backstage at the pantomime.
Concurrently, Clam gripes about Bunny auditioning for Cinderella, while Thimble whispers rumors of Bunny's minor roles in a Shoreditch variety theater. She glances down to find the cat toying with a macabre eyeball. At the police station, Peggy and Norman converse when Lowsley arrives with the cast list, congratulating Norman on securing the role of Buttons. Peggy, however, expresses disappointment at being cast as Buxom Wench 3. Aubrey's announcement that Bunny is playing Cinderella is interrupted by Clam and Thimble's dramatic entrance with the eyeball in a jar. Upon inspecting it, Sister Boniface concludes that it is human, speculating that a crow might have plucked it out while the victim was still alive, adding an eerie twist to the proceedings.
Clam bestowed upon Miranda the prestigious role of prop mistress, a decision that echoed through the corridors. Wilf, eavesdropping on a hushed conversation between Bunny and Aubrey about Miranda's challenging demeanor, vowed to intervene on her behalf. Approaching her later, he offered an apology, revealing that his own family had shunned him. Miranda, unamused, sharply told him to keep his nose out of her affairs.
Elsewhere, Sam and Felix briefed Lowsley on the urgency of identifying the owner of the mysterious eyeball. He suggested that Sister Boniface, with her expertise, could pinpoint potential victims, ensuring they could still participate in the pantomime festivities. Bunny, feeling left out, grumbled to Jonas about the lack of a personal dressing room. Jonas, ever the problem-solver, suggested they approach Clam for a solution.
Realizing her earlier brusqueness, Miranda sought out Wilf to apologize. Wilf, opening up, shared his harrowing backstory of growing up in an orphanage and residing later at Grimley Chase Asylum. When she inquired about his current contentment, he confessed that the residents were aged, and he found himself friendless. Miranda, acknowledging her own solitude, offered a tentative pact of friendship, which he gladly accepted.
Sam and Felix, donned in an intricately designed horse costume, found themselves in a laboratory where Sister Boniface was engrossed in examining the human eyeball. Jonas, hyping up the cast, proclaimed that they were destined to make history with a pantomime unlike any seen before, leaving Dotty and Clam utterly puzzled.
In another corner, Reverend Mother Adrian meticulously weighed the turkey, insisting on the finest cornmeal for it. Concerns arose about the bird's well-being, prompting them to double its feedings. Felix and Sam, relaying Lowsley's instructions, pressed Sister Boniface to narrow down the search area. She regretted informing them that any forensic clues had been obliterated when Clam submerged the eyeball in a jar of pickling vinegar. Instead, she was constructing a medical profile of the victim.
Through her analysis, Sister Boniface deduced that the individual was aged between 70 to 80, judging by the stage of cataracts. The pterygium growth hinted at extensive outdoor exposure, while diabetic conditions and a need for glasses completed the picture. She mused about the possibility of reconstructing a prescription and tracing it through the optician.
Meanwhile, Jonas, in a fit of impatience, urged Buttons to expedite preparations as rehearsals pressed on, capturing the electric atmosphere of anticipation that permeated the theater.
Aubrey's lifeless body collapses from the wardrobe's depths, drawing Sister Boniface's shocked gaze upon her arrival. The investigation unfolds with the grim discovery: Aubrey was fatally stabbed with a serrated knife, his mouth surrounded by telltale signs of redness and irritation, hinting at chloroform exposure. Boniface deduces that Aubrey was first chloroformed, bound, and only then brutally stabbed.
Felix points out the haunting last entry in Aubrey's notebook: "Henson, CFYC, Wheels," a cryptic message that puzzles all. Meanwhile, Bunny is engrossed in a flurry of papers when the police arrive, her thoughts interrupted. She confides in Sam about her love story rekindled in a London restaurant, a romance she never thought possible after her husband's passing. Yesterday, she claims to have seen her husband around midday, rushing off to a meeting with Samira Rowbotham. Queries about enemies lead Bunny's mind to a flashback.
In a tense scene, Miranda finds herself in a heated dispute with Bunny and Aubrey, centered around Wilf. Aubrey firmly tells Miranda that they've decided it's time for her to strike out on her own, mentioning her impending enrollment at a secretarial college in Edinburgh. He harshly implies she's brought this independence upon herself.
Switching to the present, Bunny expresses her unease about Miranda, stating that something is just not right about her. She admits ignorance regarding the notebook's enigmatic final entry. Elsewhere, Wilf and Miranda converse about Jim, their discussion interrupted by Felix, who seeks a private word with Miranda. In a revealing conversation, Miranda informs Sam and Felix that Aubrey shunned her, believing her responsible for her mother's death. She admits to riding Jim's bike between one and four o'clock, her hate for her father palpable, yet acknowledging he was her sole remaining family. Miranda suggests scrutinizing his widow as a potential lead.
Sister Boniface visits Mr. Simpson, sharing her insights into the victim's eyeglasses prescription, adding another piece to the puzzle. Elsewhere, Samira scolds Robbie, informing him of the Glenisters' conservatory construction plans and her expectation of an invitation, believing they'll want to flaunt their new addition.
The narrative deepens, painting a vivid picture of intrigue, mystery, and emotional complexities entwined in the wake of Aubrey's tragic demise.
Sam and Felix step forward to inform Samira of their endeavor to trace Aubrey's final movements. She enlightens them on the purpose of her meeting with Aubrey: she serves as the treasurer for the charity GSADS, of which Aubrey was the chairman. Samira insists that it was a mere routine session to scrutinize the accounts. Robbie chimes in, revealing that Aubrey's previous will, bequeathing his entire estate to his daughter, was rendered invalid upon his remarriage. He was in the midst of drafting a new one, stipulating that his daughter would inherit the house, with the remainder of the estate to be distributed elsewhere. However, Robbie notes that Aubrey passed away without a valid will, meaning the bulk of his estate would default to his surviving spouse. Bunny vows to do the righteous thing.
At the precinct, Sam engages in conversation with Peggy about the current suspects. Sister Boniface abruptly interrupts with a name for Horatio Nelson – 72-year-old Silas Kaleb, residing some eight miles east of Little Williamscot. They locate his lifeless body at the given address. The optician attests to Silas being a well-known recluse. Efforts are made to ascertain why he was found outdoors without a coat. Based on the gathered evidence, Boniface postulates that Silas was incapacitated indoors and subsequently dragged outside, left to perish from exposure.
Felix delves deeper and learns that Silas lost his wife in 1946. They had a child together, yet their name has been expunged from the family tree. Boniface uncovers the discovery of a hand-painted Christmas case received by Silas. Meanwhile, Jonas and the others brainstorm about finding a new narrator. Bunny enters, asserting that the show must continue despite the adversity. Rehearsals commence, but soon erupt into a dispute over the glass slipper scene, which involves the grim depiction of severed toes. Peggy uncovers a possible romantic entanglement between Jonas and Bunny. Bunny reminds Jonas that she is more than just a financial backer. She inquiries if he has considered a front-runner for the leading lady role. Jonas expresses confidence that Larry would approve of her. The Sisters receive devastating news: Terry has fallen prey to a fox.
Later, Bunny approaches Miranda with the urgent necessity to discuss her departure, expressing her desire to sell their shared abode and relocate back to London. As a gesture of goodwill, Bunny offers her an annual stipend of 250 pounds. However, Miranda, consumed by suspicion and anger, accuses Bunny of her father's demise and wonders aloud if her late husband's fate was similarly sealed by Bunny's hand. Giving her until the dawn of the New Year to ponder, Bunny hopes for resolution.
Elsewhere, Felix and Sam engage in a discussion about various charities, CFYC, Henson, and Wheels, all of which are generously supported by PANTs. Their conversation is abruptly interrupted by Peggy, who shares a chilling revelation from her recent observations. Prompted by this new information, Sam and Felix confront Jonas, seeking clarification regarding his enigmatic relationship with Bunny. Jonas, steadfast in his denial, insists that their connection is innocent, revealing instead his plan to loosen Aubrey's financial grip on him. He claims to have been holed up between one and four on Tuesday, fingers dancing over the piano keys while he prayed for creative inspiration, steadfastly maintaining his innocence in Aubrey's murder.
A flashback ensues, painting a vivid picture of a younger boy enchanted by a story, a tale that hints at sinister undertakings—someone is surreptitiously poisoning a colossal strawberry. Back in the present, Jonas's discontent with the rehearsals is palpable. He engages in a heated altercation with Clam over Sam and Felix's performance, ultimately dismissing them from their duties. Tragedy strikes as Samira collapses, her life slipping away before their eyes. Sister Boniface, noting the unsettling haste of rigor mortis setting in, suspects that Samira ingested a swift-acting poison. Declaring the presence of a serial killer among them, Boniface's words cast a pall of fear and uncertainty over all. Sam's mind races with the harrowing question: who will be the next target?
