Ep 1. Episode 1

In the first episode of Unforgotten, viewers are introduced to the premise of the show: DCI Cassie Stuart (played by Nicola Walker) and DI Sunil "Sunny" Khan (played by Sanjeev Bhaskar) are tasked with reopening a decades-old cold case after a skeleton is discovered beneath a demolished house in North London.

The episode begins with the construction workers making the discovery of the remains while demolishing a house. Cassie and Sunny are assigned the case and set out to identify the victim, determined to give her a name and bring some closure to her loved ones. Through careful examination of the remains, the detectives eventually identify the victim as a young woman who disappeared in the early 70s. They soon discover that there are four suspects, all of whom knew the victim, and all of whom have something to hide.

As Cassie and Sunny interview the suspects, they uncover a tangle of secrets and lies that implicate everyone involved. Each suspect has their own motive for wanting the victim dead, and each of their stories is intertwined with the others in surprising ways. As Cassie and Sunny delve deeper into the case, they soon realize that the victim's death was far from an isolated incident.

Throughout the episode, the show blends flashbacks of the victim's last days with present-day interviews of the suspects, giving the viewer a glimpse into the past while keeping the investigation moving forward. Nicola Walker's Cassie is a strong and empathetic lead, and viewers are quickly drawn into the investigation along with her. Sanjeev Bhaskar's Sunny provides a nice balance to Cassie's more reserved character, and the two have a believable, supportive working relationship.

Unforgotten is a slow-burning, character-driven crime drama that focuses on the aftermath of a crime rather than the crime itself. With its nuanced storytelling, complex characters, and strong performances, episode one of Unforgotten sets a high bar for the rest of the series. Viewers are left wanting to know more about the victim and the suspects, as well as how their tangled stories will continue to unfold as the investigation progresses.