The episode kicks off with a news reporter elucidating the methodology behind the network's investigative endeavor. Disguised under a false identity, Researcher Stewart secures employment at Fernley Aeroclean, swiftly gaining unrestricted access to Heathrow Airport. On a Monday morning, Stewart cleverly conceals a mock bomb beneath seat 33A on Japanese Airline Flight 402, destined for Tokyo.
Ed McCusker (played by Connor Swindells) and Sandy Gay (portrayed by James Harkness) stand in awe, contemplating the Boeing 747, painstakingly reassembled from its recovered, battered fragments. Their conversation revolves around the sabotaged device planted on Flight 402. Sandy emphasizes the urgency for airlines to tighten security, fearing a rerun of the Pan American Flight 103 tragedy. Ed gently steers him back to the investigation's core, cautioning against being distracted by the haunting imagery of Lockerbie's fatal aftermath.
DCI Harry Bell (portrayed by Tony Curran) and Willie find themselves ensnared in gridlocked traffic, Harry's frustration evident as he laments being tardy for a long-anticipated meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Guido de Marco (played by Alan Paris). Eventually, their driver deposits them at the foot of a towering multistory edifice. Harry warns Marco gravely that if terrorism is indeed tied to Pan Am 103, Malta's terrorism sector will retaliate swiftly. Marco inquiries about the connection between Pan Am 103 and Malta. Harry elucidates, explaining how feeder flights ferried passengers and luggage from various locales, including an unaccompanied suitcase potentially containing the bomb, originating from Luqa Airport. He presents Marco with Frankfurt Airport luggage manifests, revealing the suitcase's journey from Luqa before its transfer to Pan Am 103. Marco suggests gaining access to Luqa Airport is imperative. Harry counters with a photograph of a blue Baby Gro jumpsuit, identical to one discovered in the suitcase. Another image depicts remnants of pants bearing a Yorkie label – a brand uniquely manufactured in Malta. Marco grants approval for the investigation but stipulates it must proceed under wraps, with Inspector Godfrey Scicluna (played by Mikhail Basmadjian) overseeing operations. Harry attempts to push back, but Marco remains steadfast in his stance.
Turman informs Dick Marquise (Patrick J. Adams) of her intentions to journey to Lockerbie, with the aim of inspecting the repatriation processes for the victims' bodies and assets. She inquiries about the FBI's progress in reaching out to the aggrieved families. Marquise emphasizes the significance of their focus on the investigation and asserts that the well-being of the families falls outside their realm of responsibility. Turman counters by mentioning that the families are organizing themselves and initiating civil claims against Pan Am. In response, Marquise reassures her that Pan Am officials are fully cooperating with the ongoing investigation. However, Turman contends that Pan Am bears partial culpability for the bombing.
Meanwhile, in Malta, Scicluna picks up Harry and William from outside the opulent Qawra Palace Hotel and conveys them to Luqa Airport. An Air Malta employee (Tina Rizzo) elucidates the baggage handling process. Passengers receive a bag tag that corresponds to their flight ticket upon check-in, and employees transport the luggage to the designated flight. Harry inquiries about the presence of unaccompanied bags, to which she replies that such bags are only handled when marked as lost. The lost luggage is affixed with a rush tag, placed on the next available flight, and returned to its rightful owner. Scicluna requests to inspect a rush tag, prompting Willie to speculate that the bomber might not have needed a flight ticket if the bomb-laden bag was labeled lost. Harry postulates that the bomber was either aware of the lost luggage procedure or collaborated with someone within the airport's inner workings.
Ed informs June McCusker (Lauren Lyle) that John Orr (Peter Mullan) has tasked him with showing Turman around. She teases him playfully about acting as a tour guide. The following morning, Ed realizes that Sandy has failed to show up. Lauren Aitken (Molly Geddes) mentions that half of the production team has fallen ill, prompting questions about Sandy's health status.
In the United States, Thomas Plaskett (James Anderson), the CEO of Pan Am World Airways, informs Marquise that their insurance-mandated investigation has uncovered startling revelations. It transpires that the CIA allowed Syrian arms dealer Monzer al Kassar to smuggle drugs between Europe and the US via commercial flights, including Pan Am 103, in exchange for intelligence. Plaskett reveals that the CIA was paying airline personnel hush money, enabling al Kassar to open his route to terrorist groups and drug smugglers. The report further identifies a Palestinian group that utilized al Kassar's route and a drug mule named Khaled Jaafar to bomb Pan Am 103. However, Ed informs him that they have cleared Jaafar as a suspect. If their findings are legitimate, the liability would shift from Pan Am to the US government. Plaskett denies this being his intention. Ed suggests that Pan Am has invested heavily in this investigation.
In Malta, Scicluna stands firm on his resolve to visit the Yorkie Clothing factory today. Harry underscores the urgency of conversing with the desk personnel at Luqa Airport. He notices a black car tailing them, casting a shadow of suspicion. Upon their arrival, Scicluna presents his identification to the manager, Nicholas Gauci, with authority. Harry pulls out the photo of the trousers, capturing the manager's attention immediately. Recognizing the Yorkie label, the manager offers to cross-check the pattern against their records. Harry assures him they'll revisit the next day.
Meanwhile, in Scotland, Orr somberly informs the team of Sandy's passing. He relates how someone found him deceased in his vehicle, with no foul play suspected. Ed and Lauren are visibly shattered by the news. Elsewhere, Turman reaches out to Marquise, inquiring if he's caught wind of the Pan Am families' protest outside the White House. She reveals that President George Bush has addressed the families' demands and met with them, granting them regular updates on the FBI's investigation.
Back in Malta, Harry, Scicluna, and Willie arrive at the Yorkie Clothing factory, only to find the black car that had stalked them the previous day parked conspicuously outside. Scicluna dismisses any government involvement, while Harry speculates it could be the CIA, BKA, or even the bomber themselves. Inside, the manager unveils a pattern eerily similar to that of the trousers from their collection. Harry compares the photo with the Yorkie pattern, finding a match. The manager then discloses that Mary’s House purchased five pairs of pants in that very pattern in November 1988.
Shortly thereafter, Harry and Willie Armstrong wonder aloud if the store could be a mere façade. They delve into the trousers ordered from the store prior to the Lockerbie bombing. Scicluna and the others venture inside, engaging with Edward and Tony Gauci. Edward remains tight-lipped, but Tony seems to recall the man who made the purchase, including the jacket. He mentions how the jacket had lingered in the store for five years before being bought on a whim. Tony distinctly remembers the customer due to the extent of his shopping spree. William discovers a Yorkie Clothing tag on a pair of trousers, prompting Tony to recount that the customer was accompanied by a prominent Libyan in a sleek suit. He believes he'd recognize him if they crossed paths again. The purchase transpired in December of the previous year.
Later, Harry calls Ed to relay Tony's account. He also inquires about umbrellas, hinting at the customer's supposed purchase of one.
Ed uncovers at least thirty entries in the system, stumbled upon a meticulously documented entry regarding a shredded canopy and a partially collapsed handle stem. Harry's spirits soar, sensing they've finally uncovered a tangible connection to an individual. Ed reluctantly informs him of Sandy's demise, unclear about the circumstances but assured that no other individuals were implicated. Agreeing to contact the lab, Ed vows to verify their findings concerning the umbrellas. Harry and Willie convey the revelation of the umbrella to Godfrey, while Neil Gallagher (played by Adam Rothenberg) expresses the White House's curiosity about why they weren't forewarned about the protest. Dick Marquise (portrayed by Patrick J. Adams) insists on his ignorance of the protest's existence. Neil suggests that the families want Sessions to attend the subsequent meeting but believes Dick's presence would be more fitting. Neil admits that the encounter will be challenging, as the families will seek answers Dick cannot provide. He hints at a potential opening in the Albany field office, presenting Dick with an opportunity to helm his own office.
Harry receives the RARDE results, confirming that a matching umbrella was indeed present in the suitcase. The umbrella bore traces of fibers from the baby-gro and Yorkie trousers, leading Harry to deduce that the customer must be inextricably linked to the bombing. Willie contends that the customer could very well be the bomber themselves. June expresses her hope to Ed that Sandy's name will be added to the roll of Lockerbie's fallen.
A funeral service is held for Sandy, following which June engages in a heartfelt conversation with Moira Shearer (brought to life by Phyllis Logan). They delve into Moira's work in managing the laundry, highlighting their mission to provide closure for the families. Moira reminisces about the families' arrival, vibrant and resolute. Now, their faces are etched with weariness, bearing the marks of a battle fought and survived.
At RARDE, Allen Feraday (nicely portrayed by Nicholas Gleaves) is briefed about a circuit board fragment discovered embedded in the neckband of a grey Slalom shirt, unearthed 25 miles away from Lockerbie. The fabric also contained remnants of the Toshiba radio and its manual, unequivocally proving that the shirt was within the IED suitcase at the moment of detonation.
Allen is informed that the circuit board in question boasts seven layers, a stark contrast to the Toshiba board's mere five. It is emphasized that only the timer necessitates such a sophisticated component. Meanwhile, Ed collects Kathryn Turman, played by Merritt Wever, from the airport, mentioning that a handful of volunteers await their arrival at Sherwood Crescent, where the aircraft remains grounded. Moira and Ella proceed to give Turman a guided tour, with Moira recounting how they identified a pressing issue and took swift action to address it. Turman is subsequently taken to the exact spot where Frank met his fate; remarkably, his family has yet to visit, which Turman believes would offer them solace.
Dick engages with the victims' families, among them Bob Monetti, portrayed by Robert Jack, making it abundantly clear that he cannot divulge excessive details. Joe Horgan, portrayed by Joe Layton, shares that his brother-in-law, Michael Doyle, perished in the attack despite not originally being scheduled to be on the plane. Michael had been summoned to lend assistance in London and consequently boarded a later flight, unbeknownst to him, becoming part of the fateful journey. Joe reveals his journey to Scotland met him with empathy and openness, contrasting sharply with his perception of the mishandling of the situation by the State Department and FBI.
A woman in the crowd mentions a bomb threat made to the US embassy in Helsinki on December 5th, warning of a potential explosion aboard a Pan Am flight from Frankfurt, an information kept concealed from the general public. Joe and the others express dissatisfaction with Dick's response. She clarifies that while the warning was posted on the embassy's bulletin board for US officials to reconsider their travel plans, this transparency did little to alleviate their concerns, especially considering the presence of at least one CIA officer on the flight.
The families' grievances persist. Joe asserts that while the incident itself was undeniably tragic, their subsequent treatment borders on outrageous. Dick concedes that they have indeed been dealt with unfairly by both him and the State Department, offering a heartfelt apology and pledging to exhaust every effort to ensure better treatment moving forward. Elsewhere, Ed and Kathryn engage in a thoughtful conversation over dinner.
She declares her intention to return to the United States with a profounder comprehension of the ordeals everyone has endured. Ed voices his empathy, asserting that the victims' families have borne an immense burden, which Kathryn echoes, adding that Ed too has suffered greatly. Dick pays Neil a visit to convey the promising advancements being made in Malta. He urges for Phil Reid's prompt dispatch to the location. Dick further proposes organizing a meeting with Kathryn Turman, a woman esteemed for her insightful suggestions on enhancing collaboration with the affected families. Neil inquires into the rationale behind this, to which Dick responds by acknowledging the families' challenging encounters and his aspiration to improve upon their interactions. Neil agrees to attend should Dick facilitate the meeting with Kathryn. Dick reveals his decision to forgo a trip to Albany, insisting on overseeing the situation personally. As a token of his commitment, he hangs a photograph of the shoe on his wall. Meanwhile, June informs Ed of her intent to retire for the night, noticing his reluctance to join her outdoors. Her intuition tells her that he is not alright. Allen persists in his examination of the circuit boards, confessing to difficulties in matching them to any known device or aircraft component. He suggests tracing the raw materials of the fragments as a potential lead to the manufacturer. Phil Reid, accompanied by an FBI sketch artist, collaborates with Gauci to create a portrait of the suspect. Harry remarks that although the individual never boarded the plane, he could still be implicated in its downing. Orr receives the completed sketch, hinting at a possible state-sponsored agent of violence. Gabe Lepley informs his team in the United States about the gravity of the situation, elucidating Colonel Gaddafi's history of utilizing the ESO for terrorist acts against various nations. He cites the bombing of La Belle discotheque in Berlin, frequented by US troops, as an example, which left three dead and two hundred injured, prompting America's retaliation through Operation El Dorado Canyon. During this operation, Gaddafi's fifteen-month-old daughter was reportedly killed, and two of his sons were injured.
Orr asserts that the Libyans harbored a profound motive to bring down Pan Am Flight 103. Kathryn pays a visit to May Lou Ciulla (portrayed by Barbara D’Alterio) in the tranquil settings of New Jersey, unaware that she had tread upon the ground where Frank's life had come to an abrupt end. Margaret describes the scene as though he were merely resting peacefully, extending a warm invitation for the family to visit his final resting place. However, Mary Lou, sensitive to the fragility of her children's emotions, believes such a visit would be overly daunting for them. Kathryn gently persuades her, elaborating on the therapeutic benefits of confronting such places.
Meanwhile, Godfrey voices his discontent to Harry and Willie, lamenting that their clandestine endeavors have come under the media's scrutinizing gaze. Willie recalls a suspicious vehicle tailing them, heightening their awareness. Godfrey reveals that De Marco is deeply dissatisfied, desiring a temporary halt to the Scottish investigation. Harry counters that their priority should be returning to the airport to unravel how the explosive-laden suitcase had slipped through undetected. To their relief, De Marco permits the FBI to remain on the case, with Agent Reid authorized to continue the probe.
Orr approaches Ed, seeking an update on the team's progress. Ed assures him that they are holding their own, prompting Orr to confess that his work on the Holmes case has been a game-changer. He unveils plans for a new department, eagerly extending an invitation for Ed to join their ranks. Ed, steadfast in his commitment to Lockerbie, hesitates. Orr, however, emphasizes that the decision isn't his to make, reminding Ed that this is a promotion, a step forward in their careers.
Later, the tranquil skies are once again shattered by the tragic news of another plane crash, potentially the result of a bombing. The wreckage of the DC-10 UTA Flight 772 is strewn across a vast 16-square mile expanse of the Niger desert, a stark reminder of humanity's vulnerability. September 19, 1989, marks another dark day in aviation history, with terrorism suspected as the culprit behind the flight's downfall.
