Ep 2. Carnivorous Sheep

When a young woman's body is discovered in the back of a trailer, Detective Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) and her team are called in to investigate. The victim, identified as 17-year-old Julie-Ann Collins, was last seen leaving a party. Her body is found partially undressed, and the forensics team determines that she was raped and strangled before being dumped.

As Tennison and her team look into the victim's background, they discover that she was a troubled teenager who was living with her aunt, Maureen (Michele Dotrice), after her mother's death. Julie-Ann had a history of running away and getting involved with older men. Her aunt tells the detectives that she suspected Julie-Ann was involved with a man named Gary Painter (David Thewlis), a local photographer who took provocative pictures of young girls.

Tennison and her team bring in Painter for questioning, but he denies any involvement in Julie-Ann's death. However, Tennison notices that he is wearing a sheepskin coat similar to the one described by a witness who saw a man dumping the victim's body. When they search Painter's studio, they find pictures of Julie-Ann and other underage girls posing in suggestive positions.

The evidence against Painter starts to stack up, but Tennison is not convinced that he is their man. When she questions Painter again, he tells her that he was with his girlfriend on the night of the murder, and she can vouch for him. Tennison checks out his alibi and discovers that he is telling the truth. She realizes that they are dealing with a copycat killer who is mimicking the crimes of a convicted rapist and murderer.

Meanwhile, Tennison is also struggling with sexism and discrimination within the police department. Her male colleagues are dismissive of her and refuse to take her opinions seriously. She is constantly undermined and belittled, and her suggestions are ignored. Despite these obstacles, Tennison is determined to solve the case and prove herself as a capable detective.

As the investigation deepens, Tennison and her team uncover a web of lies and secrets that lead them to the real killer. The ending is unexpected, and the resolution is both satisfying and heartbreaking.

Overall, "Carnivorous Sheep" is a gripping episode that showcases Helen Mirren's incredible acting skills and the complex character of Jane Tennison. It deals with difficult themes such as rape, sexism, and murder, but does so in a sensitive and thought-provoking way. The plot is intricately woven, full of twists and turns, and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat until the very end.