The episode unfurls at London Heathrow Airport on the winter solstice of December 21, 1988. Amidst a sea of anxious faces, passengers eagerly anticipate boarding the delayed Pan Am Flight 103 bound for New York. A spirited girl clutching a cuddly polar bear stuffed toy (Isla Banks Thomas) weaves through the crowd to reunite with her mother (Belinda Owusu). Meanwhile, Tim Burman (Cameron Mullane) reaches out to Rose Grant (Rosie Yates) over the phone, relaying the bad news about their flight's delay and excitedly enumerating their impending Christmas festivities.
Across the pond, in Glasgow, Scotland, Ed McCusker (Connor Swindells) momentarily halts his duties to share a heartwarming dinner with his kin – Lynne (Lyra Jackson), Alison (Gabriella-Maeve Bell), June (Lauren Lyle), and Fiona McCusker (Etta Jackson). After the meal, he resumes his work commitments.
Back at the airport, Pan Am Agent Poppy Gelders (Isabele Derosa)'s voice resonates through the terminal, announcing the commencement of boarding for Flight 103. Passengers queue up at the security checkpoint, their anticipation palpable. Michael Doyle (Alex Michael Stoll) becomes the pioneer to clear security, setting the tone for the others. The girl with her polar bear companion and her mother smoothly navigate through the checkpoint. Frank Ciulla (Alex Magliaro) carries a thoughtfully wrapped gift intended for his New Jersey family. Poppy diligently verifies Khaled Jaafar’s (Armin Karima) identification, appending her well-wishes for a safe journey.
As the passengers traverse the corridor leading to the boarding gate, Jaswant Basuta (Avin Shah) unfortunately misses his flight. With a resounding roar, Flight 103 lifts off into the twilight sky.
Meanwhile, in Glasgow, Ed arrives at the police department, greeted by Sandy Gay (James Harkness) adorned in a festive Santa hat. In Lockerbie, Thomas Flannigan (Gareth Morrison) enjoys a cozy TV evening with his family – Kathleen and Joanne Flannigan. He gently advises his son Steven (Archie McCormick) to postpone getting his bike fixed by Dave until morning, hinting at some quality time with Kathleen. Calling Steven a 'good lad,' Thomas sends him off to David’s place.
Over at The White Horse pub, Moira Shearer (Phillis Logan) bestows upon Willie a warm Christmas wish. PC Gibson (Ryan J Mackay) inquiries about her holiday plans, to which she replies that she'll be with her loved ones. Suddenly, a distant rumble disrupts the serene atmosphere. A tremor rocks the establishment, accompanied by the sound of something crashing outdoors. They venture out for a clearer view, only to witness burning debris cascading from the heavens. A massive explosion materializes in the near distance, illuminating the night sky with an ominous glow. The other patrons swiftly evacuate the pub, their faces etched with shock and awe.
DCS John Orr, portrayed by Peter Mullan, captivates his audience with a gripping tale of a policeman's bravery. Suddenly, he is interrupted by an urgent call, relaying the horrific news of the Lockerbie disaster, a catastrophe that claimed numerous lives. Without delay, he informs Ed and Sandy, who are in Glasgow, of the situation.
As Ed speeds towards Lockerbie, he encounters a highway clogged with traffic, an obstacle that threatens to hinder his progress. With authority, he commands all drivers to return to their vehicles and proceeds to follow a police van to the scene of devastation. The van's driver, Martin Donaghy, navigates through a perilous landscape of luggage strewn about and burning debris, creating an apocalyptic tableau.
Upon arrival, Ed beholds a heart-wrenching sight: houses and vehicles engulfed in flames, the fiery inferno casting an eerie glow over the landscape. Gibson, who informs him of rumors of a plane crash, joins him in the urgent search and rescue efforts. Amidst the chaos, a stuffed polar bear, its once-white fur now blackened by soot, lies discarded on the ground, a symbol of the innocence lost.
A fireman reports a critical waterline break, and milk tankers are en route to provide essential water, but the grim reality is that no survivors have been found thus far. Gibson points out the remnants of David Edward's house, a once-cherished home now reduced to rubble. Steven, desperate for answers, frantically searches through the debris that was once his sanctuary, only to be interrupted by a nearby car explosion.
Gibson gently guides Steven to Lockerbie Academy, where the surviving victims are being temporarily housed. Ed emphasizes the paramount importance of preserving the crime scene, ensuring that no evidence is disturbed. Orr surveys the widespread devastation and sends Ed and two local officers to Rosebank, the golf course, and the Banks Hill area to assist the passengers.
Rose approaches a mother, Mercedes Bahleda, her eyes filled with anxiety, and asks if there has been any news about Flight 103. The mother, her voice breaking, reveals that no information has been made available. Rose, her heart aching, inquiries if Tim's plane from London was involved in the tragedy. The families awaiting news of Flight 103 passengers are directed to speak with an agent, while a media crew arrives to document the unfolding tragedy.
The mother, overwhelmed by grief, collapses in sobs, her heart shattered by the fear of losing her son. Anchorman Peter Jennings provides a harrowing report on the crash, detailing how Pan Am Flight 103, at an altitude of 31,000 feet and just 52 minutes into its flight, lost contact with air traffic controllers before crashing into Lockerbie and exploding.
In the midst of the chaos, Margaret Connell, played by Beth Marshall, guides Ed to a man strapped to an airline seat, his life hanging by a thread. Ed, his heart heavy, cannot find a pulse. Margaret, tears streaming down her face, insists that her husband, Hugh Connell, is searching the farm for survivors, and she refuses to leave the victim's side. Ed, with a heavy heart, persuades her to step away, promising to do everything in his power to help.
He contacts June, his voice steady despite the turmoil within, reassuring her of his safety. Their conversation, filled with love and concern, ends with a tender exchange of affection. Alison and Lynne, sensing his turmoil, ask if he is alright. He nods, his voice cracking with emotion, and guides them back to their room, determined to continue his mission amidst the overwhelming grief and devastation.
At John F. Kennedy Airport, Rose, tears streaming down her cheeks, breaks the heart-wrenching news of Flight 103's crash to Linda Burman (Amanda Drew) and Roy Burman (Adrian Lukis), her voice laden with anxiety as she wonders about Tim's fate on board. British Airways swiftly springs into action, activating their Emergency Procedures Information Centre.
Meanwhile, at FBI Headquarters, Dick Marquise (Patrick J. Adams) launches an exhaustive investigation into the tragic incident. Tom Thurman (Eddie Marsan), joining the probe, informs Marquise that preliminary findings indicate no signs of a bomb. Marquise emphasizes the gravity of the situation, noting that 190 Americans, including 15 active-duty military personnel, were passengers on Flight 103. He insists that Thurman depart for Scotland immediately.
Neil Gallagher (Adam Rothenberg) conducts a briefing to delve deeper into the case. Todd hypothesizes that the crash might have been caused by pilot error or engine failure, as there is no concrete evidence pointing to a bombing or hijacking. He remarks that Lockerbie is notably a peaceful town. Marquise underscores the urgency of inspecting the crash site thoroughly. Thurman inquiries about the status of the black box, to which Gallagher responds that Scottish authorities have reached out to their field office for assistance in examining the debris for explosive traces and locating the vital recorder. Thurman expresses confusion over why London wasn't utilized instead. Marquise refutes the theory that Islamic Jihad or the Guardians of Islamic Revolution were behind the crash and reveals that CIA's Beirut Station Chief, Matt Gannon, was also on board. Thurman ponders if the crash was an assassination attempt on Gannon. Gallagher assigns Thurman the task of heading to Scotland.
Ed returns home, where June greets him with a comforting embrace on the sofa. On December 22, 1988, Ed ventures to Sherwood Crescent, navigating through the chaotic scene of debris. He observes the searchers meticulously sifting through the wreckage. In the morning, Orr joins them, and Mick Charles (Finlay Robertson) confirms that the black box has been discovered. Charles expresses his desire to transport the box, along with the DFDR and cockpit voice recorder found two miles east, to Farnborough via helicopter. They aim to reconstruct the audio from the plane's final moments. Orr acknowledges the necessity of determining whether the crash was a bombing, revealing that 11 locals lost their lives, three of them children. Ed shares the story of Steven Flannigan, and Orr confirms that Steven's parents and sister perished in the disaster, while his elder brother was fortunately away. Orr asks Ed to report to Lockerbie Academy, which has been designated as the headquarters for the ongoing investigation.
Linda and Roy depart from their home, as viewers are treated to archived clips of Margaret Thatcher discussing the heart-wrenching tragedy. Upon Ed's arrival, Orr finds himself besieged by an onslaught of reporters. Harry Bell, portrayed by Tony Curran, strides in and informs the media contingent that there might be an update to share later in the day. Ed ventures inside, where he's introduced to Seymour (John Hollingworth) from the Anti-Terrorist Branch. Seymour reveals that his squad is spearheading passenger inquiries at Heathrow Airport, currently interviewing a Sikh gentleman named Jaswant Basuta. While Basuta's luggage made its way onto the plane, he himself did not. A dispute sparks over which authority should take charge of the case, with Orr asserting his leadership until otherwise notified.
James T. Thurman introduces himself as the Supervisory Special Agent with the FBI Explosives Unit. Orr steps forward to address the gathered crowd, asserting his authority unequivocally. He confirms that no survivors have been found and that daylight now aids their efforts. Orr outlines their two primary objectives: the well-being of the individuals involved and the meticulous collection of evidence. Due to the overflow at the morgues, they'll use the ice rink as a temporary facility. He delineates the search teams' division of labor. Tom is then asked to offer a few words of encouragement. Ed inquiries about the jurisdictional boundaries Tom anticipates. Tom responds ambiguously, stating it depends on various factors. Harry cautions everyone to steel themselves for the distressing sights they're about to witness.
Ed converses with Steven, who reveals that his brother is still absent. Ed inquires if there's anyone else they can reach out to, and Steven suggests the Harley family. Steven shares that he was in the garage at the Edwards' residence when the disaster struck, lamenting the lack of information. Ed assures him of finding answers and is then summoned to Orr's office. He tasks an officer with locating the Harley family in Lockerbie.
In Orr's office, Orr consults with Mr. Charles about the possibility of engine failure, noting that a mayday call would typically precede such an occurrence.
The group huddles around the audio device, their ears straining for any sign of a distress call, but the air remains eerily silent. Orr reveals that the pilot had no warning, hinting at the possibility of a bombshell—literally. Tom Thurman, determined to uncover the truth, expresses his urgency to inspect the crash site firsthand. Ed, ever the accomplice, readily volunteers to chauffeur him there. As they prepare to depart, Sandy approaches Ed with a solemn expression, later locating Linda and Roy Burman, whose eyes are filled with the desperation of parents seeking answers about their missing son, Tim. Sandy, bound by protocol in the midst of crisis, offers them no solace but empty reassurances.
On December 23, 1988, Ed and Thurman traverse the desolate landscape, the latter revealing his military background in bomb disposal. The crackle of the radio disrupts their journey, relaying news of intriguing debris discovered at Carruthers Farm. Directed there, Thurman scrutinizes a photograph of twisted metal, concluding that the foreign particles suggest a catastrophic explosion of significant force. Convinced, he posits that the aircraft was brought down by a deliberate act of sabotage.
Marquise updates Neil, underlining Thurman's suspicion of an attack, prompting Neil to coordinate with Scottish authorities while he liaises with the White House. Marquise, now solely focused on this case, is steadfast in his mission. Archive footage of Ronald Reagan addressing the nation about the tragedy underscores the gravity of the situation.
Meanwhile, Orr and Harry visit the academy, engaging with survivors whose resolve to assist shines through despite their own ordeal. Harry requests fresh uniforms for the search parties, mindful of their needs. Ed, fielding a call from Marquise, learns of the latter's expertise in terrorist operations and the impending interviews with families. Ed emphasizes their fragile state, yet Marquise assures him of their competence and insists on speaking with Orr.
Orr, briefed by Ed, incorporates Marquise's team in a supportive capacity. RARDE's preliminary findings, hinting at PETN and RDX—components of Semtex—in the debris, propel them into action. Orr directives are swift: log every fragment and possession meticulously, utilizing HOLMES database technology sourced from elsewhere. Ed, adept in HOLMES, assembles a task force, advocating for Sandy Gay's inclusion.
As night descends, the community gathers around a twinkling Christmas tree, June among them, listening intently to news bulletins. Outside, amidst carols that ring out with a poignant blend of hope and sorrow, Orr addresses the crowd, urging them to unite in their quest for justice. He vows that they will unmask the perpetrators and piece together the narrative of this act of war, turning adversity into a testament to their resilience and unity.
