Ep 1. Episode 1

Catherine Cawood is a police sergeant in the town of Calder Valley, West Yorkshire. She's divorced, has two children and lives with her sister Clare, who owns a small café. Catherine has a history of depression and has attempted suicide several times. She blames herself for the death of her daughter, who she believes died due to complications during childbirth. As a result, she has a strained relationship with her son, Daniel.

The first episode introduces us to Catherine as she and colleague Nevison Gallagher are called to the scene of a reported burglary. They arrive to find local account manager Kevin Weatherill reporting the theft of his daughter's horse. Kevin owes money to a dangerous drug dealer and has devised a plan to secure the money quickly. He wants to arrange a kidnapping of his daughter, Ann, in order to collect the ransom from his wealthy employer, his daughter's grandfather.

Meanwhile, Catherine receives a call from a woman who has been raped and left in a field. Catherine discovers the victim is Ann, who was taken by Royce, the drug dealer Kevin owes money to. Ann is traumatized and reluctant to reveal what happened to her, which frustrates Catherine who is determined to bring the perpetrators to justice.

As Catherine investigates the case, she learns that the man who raped Ann is Tommy Lee Royce, a violent criminal who she has a personal connection to. Royce was responsible for the death of Catherine's daughter, and she is haunted by her failure to bring him to justice. Catherine becomes more and more desperate to catch Royce, even at the risk of putting herself and her family in danger.

In the meantime, Kevin meets with one of Royce's associates and opens up about his plan, not realizing that it's a set-up. The associate informs Royce about Kevin's intentions, and he decides to use the opportunity to get back at Catherine by involving her in his plan. Royce approaches Catherine and threatens to kill her if she interferes with his kidnapping of Ann.

The episode comes to a climax with Royce kidnapping Ann, and Catherine racing to save her. As the tension builds, we're left wondering who will come out on top, and what the repercussions will be for Catherine and the people around her.

Overall, the first episode of Happy Valley sets the stage for a gripping crime drama, introducing us to relatable and complex characters, and leaving us eagerly anticipating the next episode. The show tackles difficult themes such as grief, trauma, and addiction, and does so in a way that feels authentic and respectful. The performances are top-notch, with Sarah Lancashire delivering a powerful and nuanced portrayal of Catherine Cawood. Happy Valley is a must-watch for fans of crime dramas who appreciate well-crafted storytelling and strong character development.