Ep 20. Inspector Lewis: The Indelible Stain

Inspector Lewis: The Indelible Stain is an episode of the British crime drama television series Masterpiece season 42. The episode follows Inspector Lewis and his partner DS Hathaway as they investigate a series of murders that seem to be linked to a notorious Oxford crime lord and drug dealer known as Eddie Nero.

The episode begins with the discovery of the corpse of a young woman in a flat in Oxford. The victim has been strangled and her body is covered in mysterious symbols and strange writing. Lewis and Hathaway are called to the scene to investigate. As they delve deeper into the case, they discover that the victim was a prostitute who had been working for Eddie Nero.

Their investigation leads them to a garage run by a man named Carloson. They discover that Carloson and his associates have been trafficking drugs for Eddie Nero. Lewis and Hathaway also discover that Carloson's girlfriend, Natalie, had been involved in the prostitution ring. Carloson becomes a suspect in the murder investigation and is taken in for questioning by the police.

Meanwhile, Eddie Nero, the notorious drug dealer, is released from prison. The detectives suspect that his release may be connected to the murders. They decide to keep a close eye on him and follow him to a nightclub where they witness a meeting between Eddie Nero and Carloson. The detectives confront the suspects and a violent scuffle ensues. In the chaos, Carloson is killed and Eddie Nero escapes.

As the investigation progresses, Lewis and Hathaway discover that the symbols and writings on the victim's body are connected to a group of fanatics who believe that they can communicate with the dead through a special type of meditation. The detectives begin to suspect that the death of the victim may have been a result of the fanatics' beliefs.

Finally, Lewis and Hathaway discover the true identity of the killer – someone close to the victim who had been manipulated by the fanatics and driven to commit murder. The detectives manage to apprehend the killer and bring them to justice.

Overall, Inspector Lewis: The Indelible Stain is a tense and gripping episode of Masterpiece. It combines a compelling murder mystery with themes of drug trafficking, organized crime, and religious fanaticism, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats throughout. Fans of the series will undoubtedly enjoy this fast-paced and action-packed episode.