SPOILERS
DSI Stella Gibson is brought in to review the investigation into the murder of a woman in Belfast. As she travels across from London, we are introduced to the murderer himself; Paul Spector. Skilfully breaking into the darkened house of young solicitor Sarah Kay, Spector thrills himself by leaving his calling card in the form of Sarah’s underwear laid out on her bed. As Spector returns home, we see that far from the monster we have seen him be earlier; at home he has two young children and a wife who loves him.
Gibson arrives in Belfast and as she looks into the case, she finds similarities to a case from eighteen months ago. Believing them to be the work of one man, she sets about convincing Burns that there is a serial killer lose in Belfast. Meanwhile, that very serial killer is busy preparing for his next attack. It is only when PC Ferrington picks up on a lead that Gibson has identified that the first signs that Sarah is in danger are noticed. But will Ferrington be able to reach Sarah before it is too late?
2 : Darkness Visible :
3 : Insolence & Wine :
At the mortuary, Gibson brings Burns up to speed with her investigation. At the police station, Gibson approaches Ferrington and asks her to be her right hand man. Ferrington agrees, and Gibson goes on to announce the setting up of operation Music Man to the assembled mass of detectives. While Gibson sets out the case, Spector is staking out the house of Annie Brawley.
At the police station, Gibson informs Burns about her night with Olson. Burns’ outrage is revealed to be less about the fact that Olson was a married man and more about his own personal feelings. Forced to stand by her, Burns joins Gibson at a press conference where she announces the hunt for the serial killer At home alone Spector watches the news report of the press conference, coming eye-to-eye with Gibson for the first time. As the Gibson’s team goes through their murder theories, Spector is breaking into Annie Brawley’s house. As he stands just inches from her, unseen in the shadows, he knows he has selected the next perfect victim.
4 : My Adventurous Song :
Gibson discusses the case with Ferrington in the office, when the sound of a single gunshot rings out. Being the first on the scene, Gibson shepherds a shell shocked Eastwood outside and learns that Breedlove shot himself when Eastwood tried to arrest him for being involved in illegal activity at Aaron Monroe’s party. As Burns takes in the increasing loss of life that surrounds him, he affectionately thanks Gibson for dealing with events so calmly.
Gibson revisits the Sarah Kay crime scene with Reed-Smith. As they discuss the case, Reed-Smith reluctantly brings up a friend of hers, Rose Stagg, who told her of a lover she had while at university in Belfast who tried to strangle her. The killer has written to Ian Kay to apologise for unwittingly killing Sarah Kay while she was pregnant. Ian Kay is keen to appeal to the killer’s better nature and, despite her reservations, Gibson is keen to exploit this line of communication. Later that night, as Sally Ann cares for a terminally ill baby at work, Spector breaks into Annie Brawley’s house and lies in wait. As Gibson is paid a visit by Rose Stagg, nervous at the prospect of recounting her troubling past, Spector strikes against Annie. However, all is not as Spector planned.
5 : The Vast Abyss :