The third episode of Shetland's ninth season delves deeper into the intricate web of secrets surrounding the murder of Annie Bett, as DI Ruth Calder (Ashley Jensen) and her colleague Tosh (Alison O'Donnell) continue their relentless pursuit of the truth. The episode opens with a mysterious scene at the marine research facility, setting the tone for a thrilling and suspenseful hour of television.
The episode begins with Campervan Angus, who wakes up early one morning to witness a van entering the marine research facility. Intrigued, he grabs his video camera and heads down to the building to investigate. However, he leaves his notebook behind, a detail that will prove crucial later. As Angus sneaks in, he films everything, only to drop his camera in shock upon hearing a scream. The camera continues to record as he flees, leaving it behind. The next morning, Lisa wakes up to find Angus missing.
Tosh's personal life becomes entangled in the case when her partner, Donny, receives a shocking text about Ian's hit and run. Tosh rushes to the hospital to see Ian, who is badly injured but alive. The tension between Tosh and Ian is palpable, as she confronts him about the scar on Annie's shoulder, which he claims is from a bike accident. Tosh's realization that Annie lied to her husband adds another layer to the case.
Calder and Tosh are stunned to learn that Annie was a spy, a secret that has been kept from Tosh, who considered Annie a friend. They meet with Rossi, who reveals that Annie was an analyst, recruited during her last year at Oxford University. The revelation that Annie was shot in the shoulder during a case and treated at a private facility adds to the mystery.
Rossi's interest in the Jakobson family, who Bergen was working for, leads Tosh and Calder to uncover more about Annie and Bergen's secret project. The discovery that Annie and Bergen had contact for only five weeks before their murders and that Bergen was researching flights to Estonia adds to the intrigue.
As the investigation continues, Billy shows Tosh the CCTV of John Harris hitting Ian with his car. Calder, meanwhile, visits the Jakobson house to ask about the call made to Bergen the night he was killed. Astrid claims it was about a movie night, but Calder is skeptical. A significant breakthrough comes when Noah, Annie's son, begins to speak about the night of the party. He recounts how Annie received a call from Bergen and they picked him up on a road. Noah's account of finding his mother on the floor, thinking she was sleeping, is heart-wrenching. Calder's visit to the research facility with Tosh reveals the diggers that Noah mistook for a dinosaur, leading them to believe this is where Annie collected Bergen. The facility's head researcher, Doctor Mohan, denies seeing Angus and claims the facility is empty at night.
The episode reaches a tragic climax when John Harris and his sons argue on their fishing boat. John accuses Patrick of being involved in Annie's death and not being home the night she was killed. The confrontation escalates, resulting in Patrick accidentally killing his brother Angus with a metal hook.
Shetland season 9 episode 3 is a masterclass in suspense and storytelling, as the characters navigate a complex case filled with personal and professional challenges. The episode ends with a sense of foreboding, as the truth about Annie's murder and her secret life as a spy begins to unravel. With Tosh's personal connections to the case and the shocking revelations about Annie, the stakes have never been higher for the team. As the investigation continues, viewers are left on the edge of their seats, eager for the next installment in this gripping series.