Ep 1. Identity, Part 1

Silent Witness Season 20 Episode 1, titled "Identity, Part 1," follows the forensic pathology team as they investigate a suspicious death on board a boat in London's canal network. Professor Leo Dalton has called in his colleagues Nikki Alexander and Jack Hodgson to help him unravel the complex case. The victim is identified as a young woman named Hannah Cornelius, who has been missing for weeks.

In the opening scene, Hannah is seen walking home after a night out with friends, only to be kidnapped by a group of four men who violently assault her. The scene then switches to the present, where the team is working to piece together what happened to her after she disappeared. As they gather evidence from the boat where she was found dead, they uncover a puzzle of forbidden love, illicit drugs, and a dysfunctional family history.

The team becomes embroiled in a web of secrets and lies as they begin their investigation, with everyone seemingly having something to hide. Nikki and Jack dig deeper into Hannah's past, interviewing her friends and uncovering a possible connection with a drug dealer. Meanwhile, Leo carefully examines the forensic evidence collected from the boat and other crime scenes to build a picture of what may have happened.

As the team delves deeper into the case, tensions rise between Nikki and Jack as they encounter conflicting evidence and theories about what happened to Hannah. Their differences come to a head when they discover a shocking secret that could change everything they thought they knew about the case.

Throughout the episode, the team must grapple with their own personal demons while working tirelessly to find answers for Hannah's family. As they uncover more details about her life, they begin to suspect that her murder may be linked to a larger criminal network operating in the area.

"Identity, Part 1" is a tense and complex episode that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. The show skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, from the investigation into Hannah's death to the characters' personal struggles, to create a nuanced and immersive experience. With superb acting and high-stakes drama, this episode sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and emotionally resonant season of Silent Witness.