Ep 6. Shame

Jane Tennison is a detective in the London Metropolitan Police in the early 1990s and is often belittled by her male colleagues. In “Shame,” the sixth episode of season one of Prime Suspect, she investigates the murder of a young woman found dead in a dumpster in a red-light district.

The victim is identified as Julie Ann Collins, a 17-year-old runaway who was last seen alive at a club nearby. As Tennison and her team question the workers and clients of the club, they realize that Julie Ann was a prostitute and had a history of living on the streets.

Meanwhile, the high-profile case takes a toll on Tennison personally as she is being shamed in the press for her previous sexual encounter with a fellow officer. The publicity not only affects her work but also her relationships with her colleagues and loved ones. At one point, she even considers resigning from the force.

Despite the added pressure, Tennison and her team keep investigating and soon come across a potential eyewitness who claims to have seen Julie Ann and her killer on the night of her murder. With the help of the witness’s testimony, they are able to narrow down the list of suspects but still struggle to find concrete evidence to make an arrest.

Tennison grows increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress in the case and clashes with her superior, Superintendent Kernan. She believes that he is more concerned with his own career advancement than solving the murder. However, after a heartfelt conversation with Kernan, she realizes that they are both on the same page and that he wants justice for Julie Ann as much as she does.

As the detectives continue their investigation, they discover that Julie Ann had a connection to a wealthy businessman and uncover the shocking truth behind her murder. Tennison must navigate through personal and professional obstacles to bring the perpetrator to justice while dealing with the fallout from her own personal life being exposed in the media.

“Shame” is a thrilling episode that showcases both the challenges of being a female detective in a male-dominated profession and the complex nature of solving a murder case. It highlights the importance of perseverance, teamwork, and justice for the victim.