Ep 1. Episode 1

Marcella season 1 episode 1, titled "Episode 1," introduces us to Marcella Backland, a former detective who left her job after having a breakdown. The episode is set in London, and we get to see the different sides of the city as we follow Marcella in her search for a serial killer.

It starts with Marcella waking up in her bed, having had another episode during the night. She's clearly not doing well mentally, and we can see that she's struggling to keep it together. We also learn that she's separated from her husband, Jason, who is taking care of their children.

Meanwhile, a serial killer is on the loose in London, and the police are trying to find him before he strikes again. The killer's targets are young men, and his method of killing is by suffocation. Detective Inspector Rav Sangha and Detective Sergeant Mark Travis are leading the investigation, and they're struggling to make progress due to the lack of evidence.

Marcella's past is gradually revealed throughout the episode, and we learn that she was involved in a case that went wrong. A young boy was murdered, and Marcella blames herself for not being able to prevent his death. She's haunted by the memory and is desperate to make amends.

At the same time, Marcella receives a call from her former boss, Laura Porter, who asks her to come back and help with the investigation. Marcella is hesitant at first, but she eventually agrees, wanting to prove to herself that she still has what it takes to be a detective.

The episode introduces us to the different characters involved in the investigation, including the victim's families and friends, who all become potential suspects. There's also tension between Marcella and her former colleagues, who are unsure if she's mentally stable enough to be back on the case.

As the investigation progresses, Marcella starts to have flashbacks of the night the boy was murdered. She's convinced that the two cases are connected, but she struggles to get anyone to take her theory seriously. Her mental state also starts to deteriorate, and she begins to have blackouts that she can't account for.

The episode ends with the killer striking again, but this time, he's caught in the act by an eyewitness. Marcella and her colleagues rush to the scene, and they arrest the suspect. However, Marcella's theory about the connection between the current case and the one from her past still hasn't been proven.

Overall, "Episode 1" sets up the main storyline for the season, and it introduces us to Marcella's complex character. We see her struggle with mental health issues while trying to solve a difficult case, and we're left with a sense of mystery and intrigue as to where the story will go next.