Ep 1. Episode 1

Ordeal by Innocence is a British mystery drama series that revolves around the murder of Rachel Argyll, a wealthy philanthropist. Season 1 episode 1 named Episode 1 sets the tone for the series as it introduces us to the Argyll family and the events leading up to Rachel's murder.

The episode starts with Dr. Arthur Calgary (Luke Treadaway) arriving at Sunny Point, the Argyll family estate. He has come to clear the name of Jack Argyll (Anthony Boyle), who was convicted of Rachel's murder two years ago and died in prison before his name could be cleared. Dr. Calgary is a forensic scientist who was present on the day of Rachel's murder and can provide an alibi for Jack.

Upon his arrival, Dr. Calgary is met with hostility from the Argyll family and their staff. Leo Argyll (Bill Nighy), Rachel's husband, is cold and skeptical of Dr. Calgary's motives. His adopted children, Mickey (Christian Cooke), Tina (Crystal Clarke), Hester (Ella Purnell), and Mary (Eleanor Tomlinson), all have their own secrets and motives for not wanting Jack's name to be cleared. Kirsten Lindstrom (Morven Christie), the family's secretary, is loyal to Leo and is part of a love triangle with Tina and Mickey.

As Dr. Calgary goes through the investigation, he finds new pieces of evidence that raise questions about the events leading up to Rachel's murder. He talks to the family members and their staff individually, and they all have a different story to tell. The tensions between the family members rise, and Dr. Calgary is hard-pressed to find the truth.

It becomes clear that Rachel was not the beloved figure everyone thought she was. She was manipulative and controlling, and her relationships with her family members were complicated. Through flashbacks, we see that Rachel was planning to change her will and leave everything to Hester, her biological daughter, which would have shifted the balance of power in the family. Jack had also been in love with Hester, which created a rift between him and his adoptive siblings. All these revelations make it harder for Dr. Calgary to piece together the events of that fateful night.

The episode ends with a shocking cliffhanger that leaves the audience questioning everything they thought they knew about the case. Dr. Calgary finds new evidence that points to someone else being the murderer, casting doubt on all the alibis and testimony previously given.

Overall, Episode 1 of Ordeal by Innocence is a gripping introduction to the series, setting up the mystery and giving us a glimpse into the complicated dynamics of the Argyll family. The strong performances by the cast and beautiful cinematography make this episode an engaging watch. It leaves the audience excited to see where the investigation will lead in the next episode and eager to uncover the truth behind Rachel's murder.