Ep 5. Bogeyman

Backstrom Season 1 Episode 5, titled "Bogeyman," follows the Portland Police Bureau's Special Crimes Unit as they investigate the murder of a young girl that leads them down a dark and twisted path.

Detective Lieutenant Everett Backstrom, the cynical yet brilliant detective who leads the unit, is as abrasive as ever, especially as he insists on running the investigation his way. He insists that the case is nothing more than a simple missing persons case and that the girl, who is discovered to have a history of drug abuse and prostitution, ran away from home and met an unfortunate end.

However, as the investigation progresses, the team uncovers some startling facts about the victim's past, including a possible connection to a convicted pedophile. They discover that the victim was keeping secrets from her family, including drug use and a possible pregnancy, and that she was recently in contact with someone who promised her a new life.

As the detectives dig deeper, they begin to uncover a web of lies and disturbing secrets, many of which involve some of the city's most powerful and respected citizens. Backstrom is forced to confront his own biases and assumptions about the case as the evidence begins to point towards a much larger and more sinister conspiracy.

Throughout the episode, tensions rise as the detectives struggle to stay on the right side of the law while they uncover the truth. Backstrom's gruff and abrasive personality continues to cause conflict, especially with his ex-girlfriend and fellow detective, Nicole Gravely, who is convinced that the case is far more complicated than Backstrom is willing to admit.

As the case reaches its climax, the team races to catch the killer before another victim falls prey to the same predators. Backstrom must use all of his wit and cunning to outsmart the shadowy figures who lurk in the shadows, and his team must be at their best if they hope to bring justice to a young girl who was failed by the very system that was supposed to protect her.

In the end, "Bogeyman" is a tense and gripping episode that showcases the strengths and weaknesses of Backstrom and his team. The investigation is gritty and realistic, and the twists and turns will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. With solid performances from the entire cast, this episode is sure to leave a lasting impression on fans of the show.