Ep 3. Faith

Faith is the third episode of the fifth season of the British crime drama television series Silent Witness. The episode originally aired on BBC One on October 1, 2001.

In Faith, viewers witness the aftermath of a fire at a church in London that claimed the lives of several people. The church was being used as a shelter for homeless people and the authorities initially believe the fire was the result of an accident caused by electrical faults.

The investigation takes a sinister turn when evidence emerges that suggests the fire was started deliberately. Leo Dalton, Harry Cunningham, and Nikki Alexander, the team from the Lyell Centre, are called in to work with the local police to uncover the truth behind the tragedy.

As the team begins their investigation, they encounter a host of characters, each with their own secrets and hidden agendas. The church's vicar, Reverend David Shepherd, appears to be hiding something, as do the various members of the church congregation.

Meanwhile, the team also investigates a number of suspects who might have had motive to start the fire. The church was located in a prime piece of real estate that could be worth millions of pounds, and religious organizations have been known to commit arson in the past to claim insurance payouts.

The team also uncovers evidence of a pedophile ring operating in the area, and the church had been used as a meeting place for these offenders to prey on vulnerable children.

Through their painstaking investigation, the Lyell team uncovers a web of deceit and betrayal that goes beyond the church fire. There are links to organized crime and corrupt officials, and the team is forced to confront some uncomfortable truths about the society they live in.

The episode builds to a tense and dramatic conclusion as the team confronts the culprit behind the fire and seeks to bring them to justice. Along the way, we are treated to some fantastic cinematography and finely tuned performances from the actors.

Ultimately, Faith is a gripping and thought-provoking episode of Silent Witness that explores some important themes around social justice, corruption, and the darker aspects of human nature. It's a testament to the show's ability to tackle tough subjects with nuance and sensitivity, and it stands as a standout entry in the series' five-season run.