Ep 1. Blood Will Tell

Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope is back in action as ITV's popular crime drama returns for its tenth season. In the season premiere episode titled "Blood Will Tell," Vera and her team investigate a complex case of a man found murdered in an abattoir.

The episode starts with the discovery of a body in a slaughterhouse in Northumberland. The victim, Martin Benton, had his throat cut and his blood drained, leading the team to believe that it was not a random killing but a premeditated crime. Vera, with her intuition and vast experience, takes charge of the investigation, leading her team to look into the victim's past to find any clues that could lead to the killer.

Vera soon finds out that Martin had a complicated family life. His daughter, Joanne, had gone missing years ago, and Martin had never found her. The investigation takes the team to Martin's wife's former workplace, where they discover that Martin had been working with the other staff to find his long-lost daughter. However, the search had led to several dead ends and dashed hopes.

As Vera and her team delve deeper into Martin's past, they come across a mysterious woman, Linda, with whom Martin had shared a strong bond. While Linda is initially reluctant to reveal anything about her relationship with Martin, she eventually opens up, and the investigation takes another turn. Linda's story is full of secrets and lies, and Vera senses that Linda may be hiding something that could lead them to the killer.

Meanwhile, Vera's right-hand man, Detective Sergeant Aiden Healy, is dealing with his own personal issues. Aiden is struggling with his relationship with his girlfriend, and his ongoing battle with alcoholism is taking a toll on his health. As Aiden tries to cope with his issues, he finds that the case is more than he can handle, and Vera steps in to support him.

As the investigation continues, Vera and her team are faced with new challenges, and they must race against time to find the killer before more lives are lost. Using her sharp mind and keen instincts, Vera pieces all the evidence together to solve the complex case of Martin Benton's murder.

Overall, "Blood Will Tell" is another gripping episode of Vera, with its compelling storyline, strong performances, and excellent direction. The show continues to be one of ITV's most popular dramas, and with its tenth season, fans of the show can look forward to more exciting and compelling cases handled by the formidable Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope.