Ep 1. Missing Persons, Part 1

In the gripping season 7 premiere of Waking the Dead titled "Missing Persons, Part 1," the crack team at the Metropolitan Police's Cold Case Unit is confronted with a perplexing case that sends them on a relentless hunt for the truth.

The episode begins with DS Boyd and his dedicated team, comprising psychological profiler Dr. Grace Foley, forensic pathologist Dr. Eve Lockhart, and technical expert Spencer Jordan, being assigned a missing persons case dating back to 1999. A young girl named Joanna Gold, just seven years old at the time, was reported missing from her home in a quiet London suburb. Despite extensive investigations, she was never found and the case went cold.

Eager to bring closure to Joanna's distraught family, the team embarks on re-examining the case with fresh eyes and modern forensic techniques. DS Boyd, played by the brilliant Trevor Eve, takes the lead in this emotionally charged investigation. Driven by a desire for justice, he delves into Joanna's disappearance with a mix of determination and compassion, determined to uncover the truth beneath the layers of time.

As the team delves into Joanna's background, they discover a series of complex family dynamics that could hold the key to her disappearance. They find themselves immersing in her family's lives, interviewing her parents, siblings, and even extended family members, attempting to understand the tangled web of relationships that surround her mysterious vanishing. Each interview unearths new clues and raises further questions, leading the team to piece together a haunting picture of young Joanna's life before she disappeared.

Simultaneously, the episode paints a vivid portrait of London in 1999, evoking a sense of nostalgia and authenticity. Flashbacks and archival footage transport the viewers to that era, adding a layer of depth and historical context to the investigation. The vivid atmospheric details allow the audience to connect with the story, feeling the weight of time and the urgency to uncover the truth.

Alongside the painstaking interviews, the team examines the original case files, meticulously sifting through evidence that was previously missed or overlooked. Their tireless efforts reveal discrepancies, overlooked details, and hidden connections that shine a light on potential suspects, forcing the team to confront uncomfortable truths and revisit past mistakes.

As the investigation intensifies, the emotional toll on the team begins to surface. Each member of the unit wrestles with personal demons and struggles to balance their dedication to the case with the strains it places on their personal lives. This nuanced exploration of the characters adds a layer of complexity to the show, elevating it from a regular procedural to a deeply heartfelt drama.

The suspense builds steadily throughout the episode, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Puzzling clues, unexpected revelations, and shocking plot twists propel the narrative forward with an intensity that is signature to Waking the Dead. The episode ends with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers yearning for more as they eagerly await the conclusion of this enigmatic mystery.

In "Missing Persons, Part 1," Waking the Dead once again delivers a masterful blend of crime thriller and character-driven drama. The episode showcases the show's strengths, including its well-rounded ensemble cast, thought-provoking storytelling, and meticulous attention to detail. With its compelling narrative and gripping performances, this season 7 opener sets the stage for another season of pulse-pounding investigations that will both captivate and haunt audiences.