Ep 4. Ring of Prayer

Ironside season 5 episode 4, titled "Ring of Prayer," follows the story of Chief Ironside and his team as they investigate the murder of a nun inside a church. The episode takes place in San Francisco and begins with a young girl, Becky, who seeks refuge inside a church after fleeing from her abusive stepfather. She confides in Sister Agnes, a nun who runs the church, and seeks her help to get away from her stepfather. In the meantime, a man named George Castanos is seen inside the church, apparently praying.

Soon after, Sister Agnes is found dead in the church, and Chief Ironside and his team are called in to investigate. The team discovers that Sister Agnes had been working on a mission to help young girls like Becky, who have been victims of abuse. In the course of their investigation, Chief Ironside and his team meet various people who had interacted with Sister Agnes, including a young priest, the local baker, and a wealthy businessman.

The team discovers that Sister Agnes was working on a plan to build a shelter for young girls in the area, which could have caused her to clash with certain people who did not agree with her mission. Further, they come across evidence which suggests that Sister Agnes was involved in some illegal activities, which complicates the case further.

As the investigation progresses, Chief Ironside realizes that the key to solving the case lies with George Castanos, who had been seen inside the church at the time of the murder. Castanos is a known criminal and a suspect in several other cases, but he has not been apprehended due to lack of evidence. Chief Ironside and his team manage to track him down, and he admits to being inside the church at the time of the murder. However, he denies any involvement in Sister Agnes's death.

Chief Ironside and his team continue to investigate and finally nail down the real culprit, who turns out to be someone unexpected. The episode ends on a heartwarming note, with Becky finding a new home with a loving family.

Overall, "Ring of Prayer" is an engaging and well-crafted episode that keeps the audience engaged throughout. The investigation is well-paced, with plenty of twists and turns, and the moral dilemma faced by Sister Agnes adds depth and complexity to the storyline. The episode also touches upon important themes like abuse and the role of faith in dealing with trauma. With strong performances from the entire cast, "Ring of Prayer" is a standout episode in the fifth season of Ironside.