The premiere episode of "Towards Zero" unfolds with a sensational divorce saga featuring the adored tennis champion, Neville Strange. His spouse, Audrey, initiates divorce proceedings, citing infidelity as the grounds, an allegation Neville initially refutes with defiance.
During the subsequent court hearing, the unearthing of a compact belonging to another woman in Neville's vehicle stirs whispers of misconduct. Behind the scenes, it becomes evident that Neville is indeed entangled in an illicit affair with Kay. When Kay expresses her desire to bring their relationship into the open, Neville, unable to deny it further, concedes to his infidelity, paving the way for Audrey to triumphantly conclude the divorce proceedings. Soon after, Neville ties the knot with Kay.
Amidst these legal wranglings, a figure named Macdonald strategically approaches Neville and skillfully secures a position in his entourage.
Meanwhile, we are introduced to Lady Tressilian, Neville's eccentric aunt, who resides in a seaside retreat nestled at Gull’s Point. She finds herself increasingly irritated by the adjacent pleasure hotel, from where she witnesses yet another daring soul perish while attempting to brave the treacherous waters to reach her secluded haven.
Amidst these developments, we encounter Mary, Lady Tressilian's hired companion, who finds herself entangled in a correspondence with Thomas Royde—a gentleman whom Lady Tressilian had once forcibly exiled from herdomain. Thomas implores Mary to intercede on his behalf, urging her to persuade Lady Tressilian to reconsider her stance and welcome him back. However, each attempt by Mary meets with Lady Tressilian's steadfast refusal. Exasperated yet yearning for a reunion with Thomas, Mary, acting unilaterally, extends an invitation to him, which he readily accepts.
Concurrently, Lady Tressilian instructs Inspector Leach to "bring down the curtain" on the notorious pleasure hotel. Instead of taking decisive action, Leach merely pays a leisurely visit to the establishment, indulging in libations.
Elsewhere in the narrative, Neville and Kay tie the knot and bask in their conjugal bliss. Their idyll is momentarily disrupted when Neville crosses paths with Audrey once more, leading them to agree to maintain a platonic relationship. Audrey reveals her impending visit to Gull's Point, a locale replete with cherished childhood memories shared by the trio after the tragic demise of her parents in Kenya. Persuaded by Neville, Kay reluctantly agrees to accompany him to Gull's Point for their honeymoon, despite her qualms about Audrey's presence.
Eventually, the quartet—Neville, Kay, Audrey, along with Mr. Treves, the family solicitor, and his charge, Sylvia, an orphan under his guardianship—arrive at Gull's Point. Lady Tressilian is visibly distressed by this eclectic assembly of guests under her roof.
During dinner, the guests take turns paying homage to Lady Tressilian in her chamber. Audrey and Neville are the first to confront her, where she cautions them against stirring up any scandals, mindful of their shared past. Subsequently, Kay visits, only to be met with a flippant remark from Lady Tressilian, hinting at Kay's vulnerability stemming from her unwavering love for Neville.
Meanwhile, Mary, eagerly awaiting Thomas's arrival, is crestfallen when he requests her to keep their camaraderie concealed from all. When Thomas finally confronts Lady Tressilian, it becomes apparent that his history with Neville is fraught with complexity. He alleges that Neville deliberately ended his brother's life during a game, a revelation that Lady Tressilian stubbornly refuses to entertain, seemingly the rationale behind Thomas's earlier exile. Nevertheless, she grudgingly concedes to his presence.
Elsewhere, Sylvia, who had taken refuge in the opulent pleasures of the hotel during Mr. Treves' dinner engagement, trails Inspector Leach to the edge of a precipice. She observes him as he pauses for a heart-stopping instant, poised on the brink, ultimately plunging off in an act that concludes the scene on a note of profound shock and awe.
