Episode 1 of "The Breakthrough" unfolds on the chilling morning of October 19, 2004, in the serene city of Linkoping, marking the dawn of what would soon become the second-largest criminal investigation Sweden had ever seen. The tranquil night before had witnessed a poignant lesson from Saad to his son Adnan, imparting the abstract concept of time. Meanwhile, an ominous typed message, "Must Kill," loomed in the shadows, and a mysterious figure subsequently infiltrated a room.
On the fateful day of the murder, Detective John, a former Olympic athlete, jogged through the streets with a warm demeanor, despite his wife's heavy pregnancy weighing on his mind. Adnan's sister, Maya, delayed her departure, prompting Adnan to set off for school alone at 7:30 AM. Close by, Gunilla, an elderly woman brimming with wisdom, embarked on her daily commute to work at 8 AM. As she approached a crossing, a grim tableau unfolded – a man viciously stabbing Adnan. Gunilla, driven by maternal instinct, intervened but was met with a brutal punch. Karin, another resident cycling nearby, bore witness to the harrowing scene in its entirety.
Maya, oblivious to the impending tragedy, took the same route to school and was soon confronted with the unthinkable: the lifeless body of her brother Adnan. Detective John was swiftly summoned to the crime scene, where he learned of Gunilla's tragic demise, the discovery of a murder weapon accompanied by a blue beanie, and the existence of a witness. Karin, shaken but resolute, began to recount her harrowing tale, while Ante, another neighbor, observed her statement with a fleeting look of panic before dashing away.
The shattered families of the victims learned of the grotesque events and were plunged into disbelief. Detective John, fueled by optimism, believed that establishing a connection between the victims and consulting with the witness would lead to a swift resolution. Despite his wife's reluctance, given their impending parenthood, John resolutely took the helm of the investigation.
Yet, the path to justice was anything but swift. Karin, despite witnessing the perpetrator's face, found herself unable to recall it. Gunilla's husband, torn between grief and protectiveness, hesitated to inform his son Samuel of the harrowing news. Adnan's parents, meanwhile, were left desolate and clueless about Gunilla's connection to their son. Both families stood at a crossroads, grappling with the profound loss and the daunting uncertainty of what lay ahead. Detective John clung to the hope that unraveling Gunilla's role as a Swedish teacher to immigrants would provide a crucial clue, but her husband insisted she was beloved by all, while Adnan's family knew her not. Together, they pondered the perplexing question: what could they do next?
As Gunilla's husband remains glued to the news coverage, Adnan's family is engrossed in organizing a memorial, their minds heavy with sorrow. Meanwhile, John finds himself unable to sleep, his thoughts consumed by the case. The neighborhood coach offers him words of encouragement, revealing that Ante, looking disheveled and out of place, is part of his team. The coach, perceptive as ever, notices Ante's disturbed demeanor.
Karin finds herself struggling to recall the culprit's face, berating herself for her inability to do so. The investigation inches forward as the detectives construct a profile of the perpetrator: a young male resident with intimate knowledge of the area, plagued by mental ailments such as anxiety, selecting his victims at random, driven by pent-up emotions, and potentially capable of striking again. To their frustration, the blood found on the weapon fails to match any records in the database.
Determined to crack the case, the police devise a new strategy, summoning all young men in the vicinity for a DNA swab. It's a massive and cumbersome task, encompassing a staggering 17,700 individuals. Subsequently, they scrutinize former asylum patients whose profiles align with the suspect's, uncovering a lengthy list of potential suspects. John interviews those who fit the bill, a grueling process that consumes his every waking hour, causing him to miss an important medical appointment with his wife as he immerses himself in analyzing the data.
A month slips by without significant progress. In a chance encounter at the supermarket, Ante spots Karin and abruptly takes flight. Intrigued and perturbed by his behavior, she chases after him but eventually loses sight of him.
Suspecting a religious or cultural motive behind the stabbing, John questions Adnan's family. The family, visibly offended by the implication, firmly denies any such practices. John apologizes sincerely, vowing to bring the perpetrator to justice.
Desperate for a breakthrough, John considers witness hypnosis as a viable option. Karin's husband harbors doubts, but she agrees readily, eager for any lead. Under hypnosis, she re-experiences the morning of the murder in vivid detail. However, the session takes a distressing turn when she realizes she could have potentially intervened to thwart the killer. Yet, they regain momentum as she confirms the presence of the blue beanie, a crucial clue. The hypnotist persists, and at the climax of The Breakthrough Episode 1, Karin claims she can finally see the killer's face.
