Ep 1. Commodity, Part 1

In the season 17 premiere of "Silent Witness," entitled "Commodity, Part 1," Dr. Nikki Alexander and the rest of the Lyell Centre team are faced with a case involving the trafficking of eastern European women. When a container full of dead bodies is discovered at the docks, Nikki and her team are brought in to detect and discover the cause of death of the women.

As the team starts their investigation, they find out that the women had been trafficked from eastern Europe and were promised a better life with jobs and prosperity in the UK, only to be faced with prostitution and forced labour. The team uncovers that the women were brutally beaten and made to work in unsafe conditions. Nikki and her team work against the clock to establish the causes of death and to identify the people responsible for trafficking the women. They are forced to navigate the tricky world of migrant sex slavery and the economics that fuel this complex and dangerous industry.

While investigating the case, Nikki finds herself tangled up with a shadowy figure named "The Jaguar." As the situation becomes increasingly dangerous, Nikki must use all her skills and experience to stay alive while also uncovering the truth about these women's deaths. The team discovers that this was just the first of many containers of trafficking victims and races to prevent any more deaths.

Throughout the episode, the team encounters a number of challenges and obstacles, including a lack of resources within the police force and the corrupt officials who help to facilitate the trafficking. However, despite these challenges, they remain focused on finding justice for the victims and punishing those responsible. Along the way, they encounter a range of accusations, arguments and moral dilemmas that challenge them to go further than ever before.

With twists and turns around every corner, "Commodity, Part 1" leaves viewers on the edge of their seats and eager to see what comes next for Nikki and her team. This episode provides both a complex and realistic look at the world of human trafficking and the difficult choices that come into play when fighting against it. It's an exciting season premiere that sets the tone for what promises to be an unforgettable season of "Silent Witness".