Ep 1. Episode 1

In Top of the Lake season 1 episode 1 titled "Episode 1," we are introduced to Detective Robin Griffin who is called upon to investigate the case of a missing 12-year-old girl named Tui who is found to be pregnant. Tui is the daughter of local drug lord Matt Mitcham and is last seen walking into a nearby lake.

Robin returns to her hometown of Laketop, New Zealand, on a break from her job in Sydney to visit her dying mother. Robin is immediately faced with the case of Tui, which takes her back to her past in Laketop, where she had a traumatic experience in her teenage years. The case also puts her in direct conflict with Matt Mitcham and his gang of drug dealers.

As Robin delves deeper into the case, she discovers the dark and seedy underbelly of Laketop as she uncovers a web of secrets, lies, and cover-ups. She must navigate her way through a community that has no desire to cooperate with the police and is fiercely loyal to their local drug lord, who is a menacing and unpredictable character.

Throughout the first episode, we meet a cast of characters who all have secrets of their own. From Tui's family members to Matt Mitcham's gang of drug dealers, each character adds layers of complexity to the case, making it difficult for Robin to get to the truth. Her only ally in the town is local policewoman Al Parker, who is sympathetic to Robin's cause and helps her navigate the town's customs and politics.

At the heart of the case is Tui, who is revealed to be a troubled and vulnerable young girl, caught in a web of family dysfunction and criminal activity. Her disappearance prompts a media circus, attracting journalists from all over New Zealand and creating additional pressure on Robin to solve the case.

As the episode comes to a close, the investigation takes a shocking turn, leaving Robin with more questions than answers. The episode is a gripping start to the series, setting up a tense and intricate mystery that will have viewers on the edge of their seats. With outstanding performances from the cast, including Elisabeth Moss as Robin Griffin and Peter Mullan as Matt Mitcham, Top of the Lake is a must-watch series for crime drama fans.