Ep 3. Lazaretto

At the start of "Masterpiece: Endeavour" season 4 episode 3, titled "Lazaretto," we find Endeavour Morse, a detective from a fictional police department in Oxford, England, unemployed and trying to get by on odd jobs. His mentor, Detective Inspector Fred Thursday, has not been in contact with him for a few weeks, and his good friend, Dr. Max DeBryn, is worried about him.

When Max hears that a woman's body has been found on a sandbank in the middle of the Thames, he contacts Endeavour, and they both go to the scene of the crime. The victim is identified as Isla Fairford, who worked at the local hospital. The investigation into her death takes Endeavour and his team to the hospital, which has been converted into a makeshift quarantine facility for patients with infectious diseases.

The "Lazaretto," as the hospital is nicknamed, is a hotbed of illness, fear, and paranoia. The patients are kept in isolation, and the hospital staff is stretched thin. The detectives quickly discover that Isla was not well-liked at the hospital, and that she had been seeing a married doctor. As they delve deeper into her life, they uncover a complex web of secrets and lies.

One of the suspects is Dr. Wilkinson, the head of the hospital, who is desperately trying to keep the outbreak under control. He is at odds with Dr. Barkham, an epidemiologist who believes that the hospital is not doing enough to prevent the spread of the disease. The tension between the two doctors adds to the already tense atmosphere of the Lazaretto.

Meanwhile, Detective Sergeant Jim Strange has his hands full with a case involving a stolen car and a missing teenage girl. As he tries to track down the stolen vehicle, he stumbles upon a larger criminal enterprise involving stolen cars and car parts.

As the detectives work to solve both cases, they find themselves drawn deeper into the world of organized crime. Endeavour's unique brand of deduction and intuition proves invaluable in cracking the case and bringing the criminals to justice.

"Lazaretto" is a gripping and suspenseful episode of "Masterpiece: Endeavour" that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The intricate plot, multi-layered characters, and evocative setting combine to create a memorable and haunting story. Fans of the series will not want to miss this thrilling installment.