Ep 1. Pilot

In the small town of Bellevue, Canada, a preteen girl named Jesse goes missing, setting off a town-wide search and exposing the darker secrets of its inhabitants. The first episode follows Detective Annie Ryder, a lifelong resident of Bellevue, as she is tasked with leading the investigation into Jesse's disappearance.

Annie is an unconventional detective, often using her intuition and personal connections to solve cases rather than strict procedure. She is haunted by her own past traumas, including the mysterious disappearance of her own father when she was a child. Her somewhat reckless behavior and lack of obedience to her superiors quickly become apparent, as she clashes with her colleagues and even her own mother, Chief of Police Hattie Ryder.

As the search for Jesse continues, the town's residents are introduced, each with their own quirks and secrets. There's Eddie, the local bar owner and Annie's former flame, who is struggling with alcoholism and his own guilt over not being able to prevent Jesse's disappearance. Maggie, Jesse's mother, is a seemingly put-together woman who starts to unravel as the search drags on. And there's Virginia, a trans woman who works at the local diner and is targeted by a group of religious activists.

Annie's investigation takes her through a variety of unsettling leads, including a possible connection to a nearby psychiatric hospital and a suspicious tattoo parlor. She also receives a cryptic message from an unknown source warning her to stay away from the case. Through it all, she becomes increasingly obsessed with finding Jesse and bringing her home safely.

The first episode of Bellevue sets the stage for a tense and complex mystery, with plenty of twists and turns to come. The show's small-town setting adds a layer of claustrophobia and unease, and Annie's personal ties to the case raise the stakes even higher. The ensemble cast is strong, with standout performances from Anna Paquin as Annie and Sharon Taylor as Virginia. Overall, the pilot episode introduces a compelling story and a cast of characters worth investing in.