As the latest episode of "Unforgotten" unfolds, Detective Chief Inspector Jess James (Sinead Keenan) convenes her team, delving into the intricacies of the case. In an interview room, Marty (Maximilian Fairley) is grilled about his father. He reveals that his dad couldn't visit Gerard because Gerard had convinced him to adopt a state of "being dead." Taylor (Pixie Davies), full of curiosity, quizzes Juliet Cooper (Victoria Hamilton) about their presence at the school, pointing out her socialist leanings. Taylor expresses disdain for her fortunate educational setting.
Marty further unravels, sharing that Gerry had convinced him the vaccine was a scheme to exert control. Taking Gerry's advice, Marty persuaded his parents to forgo the vaccine. Tragically, Marty's father, unvaccinated, succumbed to COVID. Jess and Sunny persist, probing Marty for a confession. Meanwhile, Melinda Ricci (MyAnna Buring) catches sight of a police officer outside and grows apprehensive. Officer Joseph Kane (Louis Dempsey) enters, engaging in conversation with Melinda. Joseph mentions Father Ryan's support and informs Melinda that London police wish to interrogate her regarding Gerard Cooper. She reluctantly agrees to a Zoom interview.
Murray (Jordan Long) emails Sunny from the letting agency, while Asif (Elham Ehsas) aids Hassan (Ahmad Sakhi) in obtaining counterfeit papers. Just as the deal nears completion, Sunny and Jess arrive unnoticed. Asif, sensing trouble despite their nondescript appearance, urges Hassan and his accomplice to exit via the rear. Marty remains glued to his propaganda videos. When questioned about Gerard Cooper, Asif believes he recognizes the name, recalling an encounter in 2020. He remembers Gerard as a slapdash landlord and an aggressive tenant manager. Sunny mentions the contentious Dowari family dispute, but Asif evades giving straight answers. Sunny appeals to Asif's Afghan heritage and his likely indignation at the mistreatment of his people.
Upon departure, Sunny informs Jess of the need for deeper insight into the Dowari case. Sam (David Witts) arrives at an inopportune moment, leading to a confrontation with Asif, who claims it was merely a social services visit. Inside, their spat escalates, with Asif resentment simmering over Sam's presumptuousness. Sam reminds Asif it's his house, prompting Asif to threaten police involvement.
Elsewhere, Jess confides in her mother about Steve. At the station, Karen Willetts (Pippa Nixon) unveils Marty's background: he attended a foundation course in computer programming at the University of Ramsgate in 2016 but was expelled for repeatedly picking the locks of fellow students' rooms. He would sit in their rooms upon their return, sans violence—until the incident where he attempted to strangle a student who had used insensitive language about disability. Marty's victim declined to press charges. As for Melinda, her educational journey began at a Catholic girls' school.After graduating from university, Melinda enlisted in the navy, dedicating four loyal years of her life to service before departing in 2005 amidst a disciplinary controversy involving a fellow Muslim officer. Subsequent to this ordeal, Melinda's housing experience took a turn for the worse when she encountered an Asian landlord from whom she rented, leaving her with sour memories. Arriving to converse with the detectives, Karen revealed that Melinda had sought solace in a convent nestled in Wicklow for a period of six months in 2009.
Juliet tracked down Taylor, who expressed reluctance to return to her current situation. Juliet reassured her that they could reconsider relocation if she still found herself dissatisfied by year's end. Taylor, burdened by curiosity, inquired whether Juliet was the one who had caused their father's demise. Juliet promptly denied it. Taylor then asked if Juliet had divulged their altercation to the authorities, to which Juliet insisted it was merely one of many disputes and begged Taylor not to mention it to the police, fearing it might lead them astray. Taylor confessed to harboring a secret undisclosed to her mother.
Detective Jess questioned Melinda about UK United and her relationship with Gerard. Melinda initially denied any romantic involvement but eventually conceded to a brief liaison. She clarified that while residing in the UK, she and Gerard had ceased seeing each other by February 2021. Melinda stated her unawareness of Gerard's disappearance until a friend contacted her months later, offering to share the message with the detectives, albeit unsure if it was a message or a call. She maintained that their relationship naturally fizzled out and emphatically denied any instances of violence from his part. When Sunny inquired about her whereabouts on February 24, 2021, Melinda promised to provide the information after rushing home to scrutinize her calendar books, ultimately deciding to incinerate the 2021 volume.
Meanwhile, Fran delved into Gerard's chat histories, as Immigration Enforcement officers raided the farm, causing Hassan to descend into a panic. The team convened to dissect the latest evidence, uncovering a plethora of threats lobbed at Gerard on social media platforms. Sunny and Jess finally conceived the idea of consulting Taylor. Paul Merrick, played by Adrian Rawlins, informed Juliet that the board sought a meeting, proposing a potential resolution in the form of early retirement.
Elsewhere, Murray engaged a woman about Asif, who was rumored to maintain contact with the Dowari family. She recounted witnessing interactions between Asif and Gerard Cooper on several occasions. Fallon (Chandrika Chevli) elaborated on Asif's ominous statements, once remarking that individuals like Gerard would face dire consequences in his homeland. Fallon expressed uncertainty about locating the Dowari family, who had vanished one night and subsequently dropped off the radar, occurring precisely on February 28, 2021. As Murray departed, he instructed Fran to obtain a swab from Asif.
Jess and Sunny pored over Gerard's text messages, revealing that his relationship with Melinda had blossomed in late 2018 but began to deteriorate near the onset of 2021. Gerard's pleas for Melinda to reconnect hinted at desperation, mentioning the potential loss of everything he had worked for. Sunny pondered whether Juliet and Melinda might have crossed paths, amidst Jess's ongoing domestic distractions.
Sunny notices Leanne Balcombe (played by Georgia Mackenzie) engaged in conversation with a nearby man, and he can't resist interrupting to address her. Leanne assures him she'll give him a call shortly. Meanwhile, Fran pays a visit to Marty, who reveals that Alison Rowe (portrayed by Fiona Dolman) had expressed a desire to be present should the police question him. Dot (Michelle Dotrice) gently urges him to lend a helping hand to the young lady in need.
Sam learns that Hassan has yet to return from work and promptly apologizes to Asif, endeavoring to mend fences between them. At the door, Officer Hughes arrives, introducing himself as a member of the Immigration Enforcement Unit and announcing that they possess a warrant authorizing a search of the premises. Sunny, meanwhile, boards an airplane, embarking on a new journey.
Near the marsh, a passerby notices a sign appealing for assistance regarding a recent discovery. Doreen (Lisa Davina Phillip) vigorously pounds on a door, demanding Marty's attention and threatening to involve the police if he doesn't respond. In a moment of desperation, Marty swallows a handful of pills. At the police station, Sam attempts to shoulder all the blame, shielding Asif from the consequences.
Elsewhere, Melinda is depicted at the church, while Jess engages in a discussion with Buxton (Jane Jeffery) about the possibility of conversing with Taylor. Buxton seeks guidance on the matter, only to be interrupted by Murray, who announces Juliet's presence downstairs. In a private conversation, Juliet confides in Jess that Taylor had returned home a week prior to Gerry's disappearance and encountered a young man who had worked for him. This individual had broken into the house while Taylor was alone. The young man had expressed a desire to harm Gerry, believing he had wronged him in some way. Taylor persuaded him otherwise, convincing him that retaliation would be unwise. Overwhelmed with pity, Taylor kept silent about the incident. After a lengthy pause, Juliet reveals the young man's name: Marty Baines. As Doreen and the police hastily enter to check on Dot, Marty flees down the street, his whereabouts now unknown.
