The episode kicks off with Asif Syed (portrayed by Elham Ehsas) dropping Hassan (Ahmad Sakhi) off at a rustic farm, where Hassan is set to labor. Asif flips on an audio guide for citizenship studies, setting the tone for Hassan's new journey.
At the police station, DCI Jess James (Sinead Keenan) briefs her team on the intricate case of Gerard Cooper. She hypotheses that during the pandemic, Gerard might have amassed a considerable amount of debt. Meanwhile, Juliet Cooper (Victoria Hamilton) storms into the Coleman Lecture Theatre to find a glaring "RACIST" display staged on the podium. Cooper demands an explanation from Paul Merrick (Adrian Rawlins), who admits to merely acknowledging their request for consideration. Frustrated, Juliet unleashes a torrent of curses. Paul cautions her against pushing the union into a tight corner, reminding her that they fund her endeavors. Juliet insists that the students are clueless about the realities of life, which it is her duty to impart. Paul urges her to approve the online course, but Juliet argues that it would be unjust to all concerned parties.
Elsewhere, Dot Baines (Michele Dotrice) calls out for Marty Baines (Maximilian Fairley) to assist her to the bathroom, unaware that Marty is entangled in a therapy session at Castlebridge Mental Health Centre. Marty laments about his worsening condition, prompting Dr. Renfield (Charles Abomeli) to suggest an increase in his Sertraline dosage to 100 milligrams. Marty asserts his right to have a girlfriend, but Renfield counters that no one possesses such a right. Marty questions what he did to deserve autism, to which Renfield reassures him that it's not his fault and life isn't always equitable. Renfield promises to refer Marty to Kent Council's new autism service, albeit with a year-long waiting list. As Renfield elaborates on potential side effects, Marty abruptly walks out.
At a serene church, Melinda Ricci (Myanna Buring) prepares to leave, but her exit is interrupted by Father Luke Ryan (Damien Molony). They exchange a brief conversation about Patrick's (Emmett J Scanlan) deteriorating health.
At Devon Constabulary, Asif interrogates Ram Sidhu (Phaldut Sharma) about the purpose of his possession of two thousand pounds in cash. Elsewhere, Cooper aids Taylor Cooper (Pixie Davies) with her studies when DI Sunny Khan (Sanjeev Bhaskar) and Jess arrive outside.
In another locale, Melinda sits in quiet contemplation after sharing an intimate moment with Father Luke. He offers an apology, and she inquires if he'd like a drink.
Meanwhile, Jess proposes a broader search to potentially uncover more of Gerard's remains. A tearful Cooper wonders how anyone could perpetrate such cruelty upon another human. Sunny rationalizes that dismemberment often stems from the need for disposal rather than personal animosity. Jess reveals that Gerard was discovered at Whitney Marsh. Flashbacks of a handsaw, knife, and box cutter haunt Cooper as she recalls informing the initial investigator that Gerard's demise was likely violent. Sunny quizzes her basis for this assumption, and she cites the money as a clue.
Elsewhere, Marty engages in a conversation with a man who offers his insights on people's preferences. Just then, Doreen (Lisa Davina Phillip) arrives on the scene.
Back with Jess and Sunny, Cooper unveils that Gerard Cooper leased "The Three Crowns" pub, once managed by his uncle in Stepney in 2014. She reveals that Gerard managed several rentals independently while she worked at Central London University. Their debt soared when the pub shut down, and their tenants defaulted on rent payments during the pandemic. Cooper alleges that Gerard borrowed seventeen thousand pounds from gangsters, and in February 2021, he was assaulted. Five days post-attack, Erjon Markaj (Nikolaos Brahimllari), a gangster, descended upon the pub seeking Gerard. The narrative intensifies as Juliet opens the door just as Taylor ascends the stairs.As Melinda engages in conversation with Father Luke, her producer, Gabriel (Oliver Lansley), interrupts with a call. He informs her that the Express newspaper is forwarding an article tailored for her next assignment. Meanwhile, while bathing Dot, Doreen inquiries about her black eye, prompting Marty to hastily explain that Dot slipped while he was assisting her out of the shower. Marty expresses worries regarding Dot's inadequate care and suggests contacting social services, but Dot insists on staying by Marty's side. Marty's demeanor then shifts oddly, as he begins chanting.
Elsewhere, Cooper shares with Jess and Sunny that she, Gerard, and Taylor once resided in a flat above the pub in 2021. It wasn't until after Gerard's passing that she purchased her current home. She reveals that Gerard typically arrived home around 6:30 p.m., but on that fateful night, he never showed up. Despite being scheduled to meet a colleague who claimed he canceled at 4 p.m., Cooper didn't report him missing until midnight. She refutes any suggestions of an argument, contrary to the police's initial assumptions. After discovering his vehicle near the Elizabeth Bridge, authorities speculated that he had taken his own life. She further alleges that the lead investigator in the case was later charged with corruption.
In another scenario, Marty hastily catches up with Doreen to reveal his plan to secure employment to better support Dot. Doreen reassures him that their concern is solely for their safety. Meanwhile, Jess posits that Cooper might have killed Gerard for his life insurance. Asif arrives at the farm to find Hassan in a dispute with the farm owner over reduced payment due to lower production. Asif insists that Hassan apologize.
Cooper confides in Taylor that Gerard was murdered, to which Taylor responds by saying she had blamed herself for believing he had jumped. Cooper comforts her by affirming that Gerard adored her before Taylor exits to attend to her homework. Elsewhere, Jess inspects Steve James's (Andrew Lancel) jacket before arranging a meeting with Debbie (Grainne Keenan), requesting her to keep the meeting confidential from their mother.
At a local pub, Sunny shares his humorous anecdote about an online dating experience gone awry, where the woman showed no interest in him. Meanwhile, Gabriel scrutinizes Melinda's article, emphasizing the importance of giving readers a voice and instructing her to revise it.
At the police station, Cooper informs Jess and Sunny about their financial struggles after Gerard lost the pub, including sleeping on others' sofas and selling their rental properties to pay off mortgages. She denies knowing about Gerard's $400,000 life insurance policy until after his death. Sunny requests access to tenancy records, while Cooper insists that the locals adored Gerard and their marriage was blissful. Surprised by Jess's question, Cooper recounts meeting Gerard in 2009 at a local election hustings, shortly after her divorce; Taylor was born later that year. DS Fran Lingley (Carolina Main) informs Jess and Sunny that there are no records of Cooper requesting the reopening of Gerard's case after the corruption scandal involving Sidhu. DC Karen Willets (Pippa Nixon) mentions that the Havering Council oversees the Whitney Marsh Car Park CCTV footage, which is erased after 90 days. Sunny clarifies the purpose of bin liners in their investigation.
Melinda reassures Patrick with conviction that Colm Moyland bears sole responsibility for the accident, citing his alcohol level three times the legal limit and his disregard for a red light. However, Patrick counters by asserting that since he had only consumed half a pint, both he and Moyland should be held accountable. He warns that if found liable, Moyland will be ineligible to file a claim with either his own insurance or Moyland's.
Inside HM Prison Ashbourne, Sunny confronts Sidhu about Gerard's case, his tone laced with disdain as he labels Sidhu a "disgrace to the badge." Elsewhere, Markaj firmly denies any gang affiliations, only to be reminded by Jess of his cousin and father's prison stints for drugs and grievous bodily harm. Markaj insists his cousin is uninvolved in their operations. Meanwhile, at the prison, Sidhu reveals to Sunny that he has questioned Cooper's claim of a blissful marriage.
Elsewhere still, Markaj claims that Gerard had borrowed 12,000 pounds, which he had repaid with 5% interest, adding, alongside Sidhu, a macabre joke about dead men not settling their debts. Sidhu shares that the Chinese pub manager believes Cooper was assaulted by one of his male employees. Markaj further alleges that Gerard was entangled in an affair.
Melinda tapes an episode of Mel's Minute, only to later scroll through numerous critical social media comments directed at her. Authorities post signs around town, appealing for information regarding human remains discovered at Whitney Marsh. Separately, Merrick informs Cooper that the union is seeking a meeting with her, to which she responds defensively, insisting they seek to judge her. Merrick, hands tied, explains the situation, prompting Cooper to blame him for the delay and hinting at ingratitude.
Elsewhere, Hilary (Jan Francis) coldly states that Melinda chose her path in life. Melinda, pleading for a modicum of empathy, receives only a harsh rebuttal from Hilary, who declares empathy is not in their nature before dropping the bombshell that Gerard, whom they met at the Oaks, was murdered. Stunned, Melinda abruptly ends the call.
Elsewhere again, Marty takes his medication at precisely 2:57 PM. The following morning, Melinda leaves a menacing voicemail, while Cooper deletes one of his own without listening.
