Ep 1. Against the Tide

Vera is a British television crime drama series that follows DCI Vera Stanhope, as she solves complex murder cases in the North East England region. The series is based on the novels of the same name, written by Ann Cleeves. Season 12, episode 1 of Vera is titled Against the Tide, and features DCI Vera Stanhope and her team investigating a murder case that takes them on a journey from the desolate coastline to the tangled secrets of a local family's past.

Against the Tide begins with a body washing up on the shore of the Northumberland National Park. The team is called in, and as they investigate, they discover that the victim is a young woman named Mia Hinkin, who was an engineering student at the local university. Vera soon learns that Mia had been working on a project, which could have the potential to change the future of the town. With this discovery, the case becomes more complicated, and the team delves deeper into Mia's life to get to the root of the problem.

Mia's father, Drew Hinkin, is a local fisherman who had lost his wife a few years ago. He tells Vera that his daughter had become increasingly reclusive in the past year and had stopped communicating with him. Vera and her team start looking into Mia's life, her friends, and her academic project, which leads them to the local university and the world of renewable energy.

As the investigation progresses, Vera and her team meet several people, including Mia's friends, professors and colleagues, who may have had a motive for killing her. They soon realize that the case is not as simple as it seems. The deeper they delve into Mia's life and her project, the more they uncover hidden secrets that may have pushed someone to murder.

The team discovers that Mia had been working on a project that involved developing tidal energy technology to generate electricity for the town. During her research, she had stumbled upon some information that her professors had kept hidden from her, and this had put her in grave danger. The case also reveals a connection between Mia's project and the local fishing industry that could have far-reaching consequences.

Throughout Against the Tide, the investigation is full of twists and turns, and the team has to sift through layers of deceit and secrets. DCI Vera Stanhope, played expertly by Brenda Blethyn, leads the investigation with a sharp eye for detail and a wit that charms everyone she meets. The other team members, played by Kenny Doughty, Paul Kaye, Jon Morrison, and Ibinabo Jack, play their roles effectively, with each character bringing their own unique skills to the table.

As with all the episodes in the series, Against the Tide is beautifully shot, with stunning views of the coastline and the rugged Northumberland landscape providing a dramatic backdrop to the unfolding investigation. The script is well-written, engrossing, and offers an insight into the challenges of living and working in a small, tight-knit community.

In conclusion, Against the Tide, the first episode of the twelfth season of Vera, is an engaging and thrilling crime drama that will keep viewers hooked till the end. With a complex plot, great writing, and stellar performances from the cast, the episode is an excellent start to the season and is sure to please fans of the series.