Ep 2. Cuckoo

Vera is a British crime drama television series that follows the story of Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope (played by Brenda Blethyn) as she investigates complex cases in the fictional town of Northumberland. In season 9 episode 2, titled "Cuckoo," Vera and her team are called to investigate the murder of a nature reserve worker, found dead in the woods.

The episode begins with the discovery of the body of a young woman named Gemma Wyatt (played by Victoria Bewick) in a bird-watching hide. It quickly becomes clear that she had been strangled, and Vera and her team are summoned to investigate. Gemma's colleagues at the nature reserve are all shocked by her death, and they are unable to provide much help to the detectives. Gemma's estranged husband is also a suspect, as well as two men who had previously threatened her.

As Vera and her team dive deeper into the investigation, they begin to uncover a web of lies and secrets, involving not only Gemma's colleagues, but also her family, friends, and former lovers. The detectives discover that Gemma was involved in an affair with a married man, and that she had been planning to leave her job at the nature reserve to start a new life elsewhere.

As the investigation continues, Vera becomes increasingly convinced that the key to the case lies in the nature reserve itself, and she and her team spend a lot of time canvassing the area, collecting evidence, and interviewing witnesses. Along the way, they encounter plenty of obstacles, ranging from uncooperative suspects to extreme weather conditions.

As always, Brenda Blethyn delivers a powerful performance as Vera, portraying the character's determination, intelligence, and compassion with great skill. She is ably supported by an excellent ensemble cast, including Kenny Doughty as DS Aiden Healy, Jon Morrison as DC Kenny Lockhart, and Riley Jones as DC Mark Edwards.

Throughout the episode, viewers are treated to stunning shots of the natural scenery surrounding the nature reserve, which serves as a reminder that the beauty of the area is also fraught with danger. As with all the episodes of Vera, the setting is almost a character in its own right, and adds a layer of richness and depth to the storytelling.

Overall, "Cuckoo" is a gripping and well-crafted episode of Vera, with a complex and intriguing plot, engaging characters, and stunning visuals. The episode is a great showcase for the talents of the show's cast and crew, and will leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.