Craig Tinker’s birthday takes a dangerous turn when a seemingly routine day of shadowing leads to a full-blown family crisis involving hidden paternity, violence, and a rapidly collapsing facade of domestic bliss.
What begins as light-hearted chatter among the locals soon shifts into deeper emotional territory. Mick and Lou’s family dynamics are clearly strained. There’s tension between Mick and Kit, rooted in jealousy and suspicion. Mick feels Kit is interfering in his family, especially with Brody.
Craig’s professionalism is put to the test when Brody is caught trying to steal from a local store. The confrontation turns physical, and Kit steps in—revealing his badge and making it clear that Brody is not just a random teen, but part of a much larger emotional puzzle.
Lou later admits something shocking: Brody might not be Mick’s biological son. The moment lands like a bombshell. Mick, who’s always considered Brody his own, is devastated. He accuses Lou of betrayal and blames Kit for driving a wedge into their family. Lou insists that Mick is Brody’s father in every way that matters, that biology doesn’t change who raised him. But Mick can’t hear it. His anger boils over.
Craig, attempting to de-escalate, finds himself verbally attacked by both Kit and Mick. Kit is especially brutal, dismissing Craig’s career ambitions and telling him outright that he’ll never be a detective. The words sting. Craig begins to doubt himself, questioning whether he truly belongs in this role.
In a quieter moment, Craig confides in DS Swain. Instead of judgment, he receives encouragement. Swain recognizes Craig’s integrity and work ethic, pushing him to ignore Kit’s bitterness and continue striving for greatness.
Meanwhile, things at Mick’s house reach a boiling point. A neighbor calls the police after hearing a violent domestic disturbance. Craig arrives on the scene and finds Lou trying to cover up the chaos, insisting Mick just left. But her body language and trembling voice suggest otherwise.
Craig doesn’t press the issue immediately, but he keeps a close eye on the situation. Later, when Mick is spotted behind the wheel in a distressed state, Craig goes after him. The chase ends in a tense confrontation. Craig’s voice trembles but remains steady as he approaches the van. Inside, he finds a broken man—Mick, unraveling under the weight of secrets, doubt, and rage.
The episode ends on a haunting note. Lou confesses once again that while she may not be 100% certain of Brody’s paternity, it doesn’t matter. Mick is Brody’s father because he’s the one who stayed. Who raised him. Who held him when he cried. Her words land, but the damage may be irreparable.
Craig, once again caught in the middle, realizes that being a detective is about far more than solving crimes—it’s about understanding people, pain, and how to hold yourself together when everyone else is falling apart.
