As the curtains draw open on the inaugural episode of "The Crow Girl," whispers of affection weave through the scene's meticulous preparation. A figure vows, with a hint of menace, to seek out and ensnare their love, regardless of reciprocation. Hidden discreetly behind a shelf, a freezer lurks in shadow. DCI Jeanette Kilburn (Eve Myles), her hands adeptly managing the morning's first culinary delights, prepares breakfast for Joe. Shortly thereafter, the patriarch joins them, mentioning that his creative pursuits remain fixated on a singular masterpiece.
DI Lou Stanley (Dougray Scott) enters the scene, his playful demeanor evident as he engages in a mock arrest with Joe. Jeanette's tranquil morning is abruptly interrupted by a phone call, alerting her to the discovery of a body along Broad Street. Sophie Craven (Katherine Kelly) soon arrives at the precinct, her presence adding another layer to the unfolding drama.
At the crime scene, Mike Dilliston (Elliot Edusah) assumes control, managing the throng of curious bystanders with practiced ease. Lou updates Jeanette, revealing that the victim, concealed within a bag, remains unidentified. He emphasizes the necessity of Eva Andric's (Lu Corfield) expertise to uncover further clues. Jeanette, driven by curiosity, delves into the businesses neighboring the crime scene, seeking connections. She notices a pool of overlooked water and directives for its analysis are swiftly issued.
Amar (Roger Jean Nsengiyumva), in a secretive act, shreds his passport in the privacy of a bathroom stall, subsequently engaging in a conversation with passport control officials that leaves much to be interpreted. Meanwhile, Carl Lowry (Trevor White) receives an unwelcome visit from the authorities, his calm disrupted by Frank Tracey's (Pasha Bocarie) abrupt entrance. Frank's declaration of arrest for possession and dissemination of child abuse images stirs controversy, with Carl questioning the morality of such legislation.
Back at the station, Jeanette listens intently to the 911 call detailing the grim discovery. The call's origin traces to a recruitment consultant named Steve Cooper (Thomas Coombes), a man in his early thirties. Jeanette suggests liaising with Child Protection to ascertain if the victim aligns with any missing persons' reports. The team's discourse delves into potential profiles—foreign national, refugee, or vacationer—while Mike speculates on the victim's vulnerability. Jeanette asserts that the victim's death, coupled with the lack of a missing persons report, underscores their fragility. Her final order calls for the retrieval of CCTV footage from a half-mile perimeter, casting a wider net in the quest for answers.
Jeanette urges the team to embark on a door-to-door inquiry with renewed vigor. She sharply rebukes Lou for his ill-timed interruption, branding it with an inappropriate meme, seizing his phone amidst her scolding tirade. Lou, later confiding in Mike, reveals that the image pertains to Carl Lowry, the dentist whose morning appointment was marred by suspicions of possessing a vast collection of child pornography. Mike informs Eva's suspicion that the liquid on the bag could very well be urine. Amar seeks an English version of a form, amidst this chaotic backdrop.
Steve enters the room, drawn into conversation with Lou and Jeanette, promptly invoking his right to remain silent with a curt "no comment." He excuses his haste by citing lateness for work, revealing his employment in recruitment at the Downs and his residence at Fishponds, from where he walked down. Steve maintains that he has disclosed everything within his knowledge. Lou, probing further, attempts to elicit an admission from Steve about urinating on the bag, to which Steve concedes, albeit unaware of the body's presence. Additionally, Steve confesses to an extramarital affair with a man residing on Broad Street, a secret he desperately wishes to keep from his wife. Jeanette assures him they will collect his clothing and a mouth swab, aiming to clear him from suspicion.
Elsewhere, Dr. Sophia Craven engages in a discussion with Carl Lowry. Carl unravels the tale of Adonis, depicting him as a byproduct of an incestuous union—a sacred bond between father and daughter—which he views as the natural order. He inquisitively delves into Sophia's relationship with her father, whom she evades discussing. Sophia directly asks if he has ever sexually assaulted or raped a child, to which Carl responds ambiguously, claiming he couldn't definitively say. Their conversation veers into various topics, with Carl even suggesting he could procure a child for Sophia.
Mike reports to Lou and Jeanette that Steve Cooper's alibi has been verified, expressing self-doubt and requesting they cross-verify their accounts. Jeanette scoffs, branding Mike a "bloody idiot," while Lou finds amusement in the situation. Jeanette discovers that the entire building serves as the headquarters for Mount Park Dental Limited, realizing the body was strategically placed outside Carl Lowry's offices. Lou argues for a deeper dive into the investigation, yet asserts his belief that Carl, despite his pedophilic tendencies, is not a murderer.
Sophie finds herself cooped up in the very same elevator, where Jeanette confronts her about deliberately pressing and sticking the button, causing a malfunction. As Sophia exits the elevator, Jean vents to Lou about her disdain for such individuals. She then approaches Superintendent Verity Pound (Victoria Hamilton), expressing her desire to interview Carl Lowry. Verity firmly denies Jean's request. Frank Tracey, visibly relieved to have finally apprehended Carl due to his wife's ailing health, is informed by Verity of Jean's impending visit.
Jean corners Frank, pleading for his assistance in securing an interview with Carl. Their conversation delves into the question of Carl's potential for murder. Frank eventually steers the discussion towards Dr. Sophia Craven, cautioning Jean not to get her hopes up since Sophia might拒绝 cooperate. Jean is startled upon seeing Sophia's photograph and promptly reaches out to her via phone. Sophia, however, refuses to disclose any information without a legally certified court order.
Jean informs Lou that they should head to forensics next. Meanwhile, Sophia dashes outside to intercept Margaret (Julie Legrand), attempting to persuade either Margaret or Angela to lay down their weapon. With calm resolve, Sophia manages to defuse the situation and retrieve the knife. Elsewhere, Amar, Ishmael, Jamal, and others arrive at their designated accommodation.
Lou and Jean pay a visit to Eva Andric, who insists she has little of significance to contribute. Eva reveals that the body is frozen solid, rendering any examination impossible until it thaws completely. Jean regretsfully informs Eva that she won't be able to attend her birthday party. Eva finds it peculiar that the victim's feet have undergone a pedicure. Lou suspects that someone intends to draw their attention.
Amar is granted a flat and warmly welcomed to the UK. Jean returns home in a foul mood, realizing that her family has paid no heed to her advice. She storms in to find her father accompanied by her husband and child. Alex (Raphael Sowole) and the others discuss the discovery of the body. Jean's father scolds her for not being out there knocking on doors as they used to. Joe admits to having shared the news with Gemma and Freddie.
