Ep 1. The Return

In the first episode of the crime drama series "Ransom," entitled "The Return," we are introduced to Eric Beaumont (Luke Roberts), a brilliant hostage negotiator who runs a private crisis management firm in New York City. Together with his team - comprising of Zara Hallam (Nazneen Contractor), a former detective and behavioral expert, Oliver Yates (Brandon Jay McLaren), a hacker and tactical strategist, and Maxine Carlson (Sarah Greene), a skilled investigator - Eric is called in to negotiate the safe return of a retired baseball player, Derek Huxley (Trevor Hayes), who has been kidnapped.

The episode opens with Derek Huxley arriving in his hometown of Pittsburgh for a charity event. As soon as he sets foot outside the airport, he is abducted at gunpoint and thrown into a van. The kidnappers demand a ransom of $5 million in exchange for his safe release. The police are called in, but the kidnappers refuse to negotiate with them and demand to talk only to Eric Beaumont.

Eric and his team arrive in Pittsburgh and set up their command center in a hotel room. They study the evidence carefully and come up with a plan to negotiate with the kidnappers. Eric knows that the stakes are high, and any misstep could cost the hostage his life. Moreover, he faces a challenge in dealing with Derek's family, who are wealthy and demanding and want to take matters into their own hands.

As the negotiations progress, Eric comes up against an unexpected twist when it becomes clear that the kidnappers are not who they seem to be. They are not just random goons looking for a quick payday - they have a personal grudge against Derek and his family, and they are not afraid to use violence to get what they want.

As the clock ticks down, Eric and his team must race against time to uncover the kidnappers' motive and track them down before it's too late. Along the way, we learn more about Eric's own past and what led him to this career. We also see the complex dynamics between the different members of his team, who are all skilled in their respective fields but also have personal struggles and anxieties to deal with.

Overall, the first episode of "Ransom" sets the stage for an intriguing and suspenseful crime drama. The show offers a fresh take on the genre by focusing not just on the action and thrills but also on the psychological and emotional aspects of hostage negotiation. Luke Roberts delivers a strong performance as the enigmatic lead character who is both brilliant and flawed. The supporting cast members also have their moments to shine, particularly Nazneen Contractor as the tough and intelligent Zara and Sarah Greene as the compassionate Maxine. With a sharp script, tight pacing, and plenty of twists and turns, "Ransom" promises to be a thrilling ride for fans of crime dramas.