Ep 2. Eye Witness

Hetty Wainthropp Investigates is a British crime drama series that follows the cases of Hetty Wainthropp, a retired working-class housewife turned amateur detective. In season 1 episode 2, titled "Eye Witness," Hetty takes on the case of a young boy who believes he witnessed a murder.

The episode begins with Hetty receiving a letter from a 12-year-old boy named John, who claims to have seen someone get murdered. Hetty takes the case seriously and visits John at his home to hear his story. John explains that he was out collecting money for his paper route when he saw a man and a woman arguing. He says that the woman was screaming and hitting the man, and that she eventually pushed him down a flight of stairs. John didn't see the man's face, but he's convinced he saw a murder take place.

Hetty is skeptical but agrees to investigate. She starts by visiting the scene of the supposed crime, a large apartment building. Hetty sneaks around the courtyard and sees that there is a lot of activity within the building. She also spots a woman who seems to be following her. Hetty manages to get away but becomes convinced that someone doesn't want her to investigate the case.

Despite the possible danger, Hetty decides to continue her investigation. She visits the police station and convinces an officer to let her look at the case file for the building. She finds out that the tenants of the building include a man who disappeared years ago, a woman with a criminal record, and a landlord who has been involved in shady dealings. Hetty becomes convinced that one of these residents is responsible for the murder John claims to have seen.

The investigation takes a turn when Hetty meets a young woman named Laura, who lives in the apartment building. Laura used to date John's father and has an interest in his safety. She tells Hetty about a strange man who has been stalking John, and Hetty considers that the murder John saw might have been related to this stalker.

Hetty decides to meet with the landlord of the building, a man named Mr. Drummond. She tells him that she's interested in renting a room in the building and gains access to his office. Once there, Hetty sees the detailed records of all the tenants and their rent payments. She discovers that Mr. Drummond has been taking advantage of many of the low-income tenants by charging them exorbitant fees and back payments. Hetty realizes that Mr. Drummond's greed may have led to the murder John claims to have seen.

The investigation continues to uncover complicated relationships within the building. Hetty discovers that Laura has a brother who was involved in the shady dealings of the landlord, and that the woman with a criminal record had been involved in a scam with the landlord. The episode ends with Hetty presenting her findings to the police and discovering that John's claims may have more credibility than she ever imagined.

Overall, "Eye Witness" is an intriguing and complex episode of Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. The case takes many twists and turns, and Hetty's persistence and eye for detail lead to surprising revelations. The episode also highlights the socioeconomic issues of the time, with the landlord's greed and exploitation of low-income tenants being a central theme. With strong performances, clever writing, and a great mystery, "Eye Witness" is a standout episode of the series.