Professor T (2021) s01e01 Episode Script

'Broken Hearted Melody'
by Sarah Vaughan
OK, bye, guys. See you later.
Stop. I'll see you later.
My God!
Don't be such an arse.
No!
No! No! Help me!
Jasper, it's time to come in now!
Jasper! Come in now!
You're welcome, Professor.
Ladies and gentlemen
Today, we will be discussing
perpetrator identification.
Studies have shown
that 73% of wrongful convictions
are due to false
perpetrator identification.
Witnesses often give contradictory
or wildly divergent accounts.
Today, it is our task
to explore why.
In page seven
of your lecture handout,
you will find a list
of multiple choice questions
concerning the attack on my person
you so recently witnessed.
Your time starts
now.
All right, Mr Wilson.
I think that's all for now, mate.
- Yeah, thank you. We'll be in touch.
- Happy to help you.
- Sorry I'm late.
- How's your head?
Mind your own business,
Detective Sergeant.
- Rabbit doesn't look too happy.
- The college are freaking out.
What have we got so far?
- Sum total of sod all.
- It's a student's toilet.
Body fluids, finger prints,
obscene graffiti.
There's DNA everywhere.
Like I said, sod all.
The initial medical exam
has turned up nothing usable.
There are no witnesses,
and the victim's in a state of shock
and can't remember anything.
Has she been to the referral centre?
Yeah, she spoke to a doctor
at the hospital.
And our rape specialist followed up
about an hour or two later.
She said her necklace was missing,
but that's about all
they can get out of her.
- Did you say necklace?
- Yeah.
Winters, have you checked CCTV?
Installed, but not turned on.
They were worried it was an invasion
of the students' privacy.
- Where?
- Second cubicle.
What's with you and Danny-boy?
I don't know what
you're talking about.
By the look on his face,
he's got your DNA all over him.
I'm never less than
completely professional, Martin,
unlike some people I could mention.
You photographed all this?
Up on the server in half an hour,
Detective Sergeant.
Boss!
Now that she's been
properly processed,
am I OK to follow up with her?
I don't see the point. She's already
spoken to Dr Rosenbaum.
God help me.
I've got the DCI texting me
every five minutes for an update.
- Rosenbaum's a rape specialist.
- I know, smart-arse.
It feels a bit weird to be back.
- Your old stomping ground.
- Yeah.
So, what makes you think you'll
get anything more out of the victim?
Not me. But since we're here
Final question.
The man had
A - a moustache, B - a beard,
C - a moustache and a beard,
D - none of the above.
The answer was D.
It promises to be
a challenging year.
You may be seated.
Perhaps you might redeem
your collective failure
by offering an explanation.
We were taken by surprise?
Most criminal enterprise
relies on an element of surprise.
Anyone else?
No-one?
Look at you all.
Like a battery farm
of gutless chickens.
Heaven forbid that anyone
should stand out from the flock.
Almost without exception,
you failed to describe the detailed
physiognomy of the perpetrator.
Why might that be?
- Trauma.
- Crime is inherently traumatic.
Both victim and witness
may fall foul
of the hypothalamic
pituitary adrenal axis.
The hypothalamus
sends signals to the pituitary
and thence to the adrenal gland,
releasing cortisol.
This leads to tunnel vision.
A narrow snapshot of the event
encodes onto the brain.
Within seconds,
this memory starts to fade,
to become contaminated,
turning us into
unreliable narrators.
A violent event leaves a wound
which spreads
and infects everything.
Trauma scrambles the senses,
ladies and gentlemen.
It transforms even the most
lucid mind into a labyrinth.
Professor. You might remember me.
Please do not make me guess.
Lisa Donckers.
I'm a detective sergeant now.
Academia's loss
is the constabulary's gain.
I was hoping I might
take a minute of your time.
You already have.
Please come to the point.
A young woman was raped last night
100 yards from here.
And what does that
have to do with me?
I spent three years here
listening to you.
I know you could help us
get inside her mind.
My interest in crime
is purely academic, Detective.
I do not like to get my hands dirty.
The victim's too traumatised
to tell us anything.
We've got no forensic evidence
to go on,
and my boss has got
a lot on his plate.
- But I've got this hinge that
- Hinge?
A connection to another crime.
Five years ago.
Well, she lost this necklace, and
So you think it's a serial rapist?
Exactly. Five years ago, there was
another case just like this.
Five years ago?
And no related cases in-between?
Yes. No. I don't know.
The point is
What was it about this five-year-old
case that first drew your attention?
Well, I just I happened to
It's It's complicated.
- Detective
- Donckers. Lisa Donckers.
- A memorable name, yet
- I really think you could help.
And I really think it's best
to keep personal involvement
out of an investigation.
Wouldn't you agree?
We're checking everyone
with access to that dorm.
Male key card holders only.
But it's a long list.
It could take days, weeks, even.
The master of the college
is on my back.
I'll do what I can
to speed things up.
They're cross-checking
with known sex offenders.
Are you all right, Paul?
Ma'am?
It's just
You know, given the
circumstances
Given what you are
having to deal with at home,
- I would understand
- I'm OK, Ma'am.
if you'd prefer
to just let someone else
Christina, I'm OK.
I'm OK.
Just leave it, please.
OK.
Hey.
Where did you disappear to?
Aw, did you miss me?
Can I see your notes, please?
Last night was fun.
We drank too much.
Look me in the eye,
tell me it meant nothing.
It meant nothing.
I said look me in the eye.
- Well, it was very nice.
- Is there a crime number yet?
Is that all I mean to you,
just a number?
It was a mistake.
OK? Let's just pretend
it never happened.
It has to be. It just has to be.
What has to be?
I knew it.
- Where has this come from?
- It's another unsolved rape case.
- You keep the file on your desk?
- She was a friend.
You've got friends?
That's very funny.
Saskia Dawson. She was in my year.
I was there, at this party.
She was tired and wanted to go home.
I wasn't, so I stayed.
She's avoided me ever since.
You shouldn't blame yourself.
They found these carvings
on the frame of Saskia's bed,
and her statement mentions a locket.
The guy who raped her
yanked it from her neck.
Holy shit.
Maybe best not mention to Rabbit
that she was your friend.
It's not a personal thing, Dan.
I can keep my private life
out of the office.
So, where are you off to,
Detective Sergeant?
If I tell you, will you back me up?
'La Bambola'
by Patty Pravo
- Jasper.
- We speak at last.
- What are you insinuating?
- You have been screening my calls.
Nonsense, darling.
I've just been terribly busy.
So it would seem.
What does that mean?
It means, Mother, that I passed
the house this morning.
- Which house, darling?
- Our house, Mother. Our family home.
Former, dear heart.
Our FORMER family home.
Is that former family,
or former home?
Jasper, darling,
we've talked about this.
No, Mother,
YOU have talked about it.
WE'VE talked about it.
It's madness.
To be sitting on a goldmine
when you can't
even bear to set foot in the place.
Jasper.
Goodbye, Mother.
- How is Adelaide?
- Her usual gracious self.
I see.
Just a quiet word
between colleagues and friends.
I received a complaint
from one of your students.
You called them animals.
Chickens.
A flock of gutless chickens.
Yeah. Not much of a distinction.
A distinction, nonetheless.
For metaphorical purposes at least.
You can't go around
insulting the students.
Tenure can be taken away,
you know, Jasper.
If our reputation
is brought into disrepute
or in cases
of gross moral turpitude.
Perhaps we should debate what
constitutes gross moral turpitude.
Well, that's all sorted, then.
You're very brave to be doing this,
Diana.
I just I want him caught
and to get closure.
For me and for the other girl
that you told me about.
You're covering for her, Winters.
I'm serious, sir. It's her grandma.
You need to partner up
for this kind of case.
It was an emergency, OK?
- Is this the canteen guy?
- Yeah. Henri Watson, 33 years old.
Had some minor previous,
for indecent exposure.
Good afternoon, madam. Detective
Inspector Rabbit, Cambridge Police.
Can we have a word
with Henri Watson, please?
- Police?
- Yes, madam.
We just need a few words
with your son.
Henri's my husband.
My apologies.
- Rabbit!
- Rabbit!?
Oi, stop!
Oi, stop!
Stop!
Sod this.
A word of warning,
the professor is brilliant.
He's also a bit of an oddball.
Professor Tempest.
This is Diana Tyson.
Congratulations.
Would you excuse us?
Detective, I have limited tolerance
for being ambushed.
I'm sorry. OK?
My mistake, but we can't
send her home now.
- Please.
- I'm immune to your charms.
Just talk to the victim,
for God's sake.
Anything the professor can help you
remember, it could be important.
I'm told you recall
few particulars of the attack.
I've tried,
and nothing seems to come.
It's called dissociation,
Miss Tyson.
A coping mechanism our brains use to
protect us in moments of extremis.
We disconnect.
It's hard even to think about it.
The professor can help you remember
to access any information
you're repressing.
You're familiar with hypnotherapy,
I assume?
So you must understand that what may
surface is more than information.
The question is,
are you ready for that?
I think not.
I'm sorry?
Miss Tyson
is acting in a logical manner.
Her brain is advising her
not to revisit the trauma.
Professor, why won't you help her?
Help her? Help you, you mean.
Miss Tyson has chosen
to help herself.
Her subconscious has walled off
this experience for a reason.
You're happy to leave him out there,
free to attack others?
Perhaps it'll be another five years
before he strikes again.
You don't believe that.
I concur. It seems unlikely.
Any news on Henri Watson?
Still on the loose.
He can't run forever, though.
Where's Donckers?
She should be here shortly.
We're due to check out
another potential suspect.
Everything all right
between the two of you?
Why do you ask, ma'am?
Rabbit's been complaining.
- About her occasional absences?
- More like frequent, I'd say.
Every time I look out here, all I
see is Dan Solo, alone at his desk.
- Well, we've got a lot on.
- You should be working together.
We are, ma'am, but Lisa's out
talking to her contact,
someone she thinks can advise us
on the Tyson case.
Who's that?
Her old criminology lecturer.
Professor Tempest?
You know him?
Too bad Professor Smarty-pants
couldn't help you out.
- Thanks for covering, anyway.
- You owe me.
How about you buy me a drink?
To say thanks.
I'm giving up drink for a while,
Dan.
All right.
Will you come to our gig tonight,
anyway?
Hello?
Dennis is doing a late shift today.
Could you tell us about your
husband's whereabouts last night?
Yesterday?
He was at home with me.
We were watching Gordon Ramsay.
- You follow his new show?
- I try not to.
I can put on a stone
watching cooking shows.
What about later that night?
He went to bed around 11.
His shifts are a bit irregular
at the moment.
He says it's messing up
his biorhythm.
So he tries to stick to
a regular bedtime.
Hi.
Shit! I'm sorry, ma'am.
So sorry,
I didn't mean to startle you.
I thought everyone had gone home.
I hear you wanna hire a consultant.
Did Dan tell you that?
- Professor Tempest is
- It's a good initiative.
Just make sure you get authorisation
from DI Rabbit first.
No!
No!
This is Professor Tempest.
I'm calling about
number 10 Worsley Street.
My mother has instructed you
to sell the house.
There's been
a change of circumstance.
It's no longer for sale. Thank you.
Morning. Where is everyone?
Yes.
The gig was a great success.
Thanks for asking.
- Morning.
- Morning, boss.
How's your grandmother?
Still pushing up daisies, last time
I checked.
I beg your pardon?
My nana died ten years ago.
Why are you asking?
- Professor, what are you doing here?
- And who's this?
- Professor Tempest?
- You know each other?
Jasper.
I was not expecting
a reception committee.
Thank you for coming over.
We need to get a few things
straightened out.
We very much appreciate
your involvement in this case.
I'm not involved. Despite the best
efforts of Sergeant Bossy Boots.
But if you really wanna help us
catch this scumbag,
we need to make it official. So
I do not catch scumbags.
I study them.
You will need special permission
to interview witnesses and suspects.
All information
and leads must be shared,
and no more games
behind anyone's back.
Even the most cursory study
of criminal psychology will tell you
that there are certain constants
when it comes to profiling
serious sexual offenders.
Men between 25 and 35. Parents
divorced, usually in childhood.
Almost always the product
of excessive discipline
or abusive behaviours, or both.
Often single. Antisocial.
Problems with intimacy.
Not unintelligent.
- Mate, can you put the brakes on?
- But with a fairly low verbal IQ.
So, we're looking for a single man,
from a broken home,
with a poor vocabulary. Case solved!
We've got limited manpower,
so we're focusing on males
with access to the building
and a criminal record.
Our prime suspect, Henri Watson.
Works for the college canteen.
No alibi, and has a criminal record
for a minor sexual offence.
Did a runner when we turned up
at his door. Got a warrant out.
Dennis Banks works for the
contractors who clean the college.
Has served prison time,
but not for sexual offences.
His wife has vouched
for his whereabouts
on the night of the crime.
And then there's a caretaker
who was working in the building
that night
and has no-one
to confirm his whereabouts.
But he only has a drink-driving
conviction from ten years ago.
And that's it.
That's all we've got.
So far.
They're the main focus
of our investigation.
But we're also
broadening our search
to include student key-card holders.
I really don't think that will be
necessary, Detective Inspector.
I beg your pardon?
The perpetrator has been associated
with the university
for at least five years.
We can deduce that
courtesy of the diligent detective
work
of Detective Sergeant Donckers.
We believe the case is connected
to the rape of another young woman,
named Saskia Dawson.
There are several features
in common between the two.
A stolen necklace in both instances
and similar inscriptions.
Revelations. Chapter 17. Verse five.
Ezekiel. Chapter 16. Verse 33.
"O profane woman.
You bribe your lovers to come from
all directions for your harlotries."
There's a high probability that
you're looking for a churchgoer.
And the question you should be
asking yourself is
why has he waited
so long before striking again?
- What triggered it?
- Precisely.
He's lost control,
and if that's the case
- He's likely to rape again.
- Exactly so.
Check with Student Welfare
as well as the nearby hospitals.
Specifically for cases
of sexual assault.
The purpose of education
is to replace a narrow mind with
an open mind, Detective Inspector.
Ladies, gentlemen, Christina.
I wish you a pleasant day.
Jasper.
This is not in the job description.
You have a visitor, Professor.
Sweetheart.
Mother.
Your father loved this city.
That is one thing we can agree on.
And he loved you too, Jasper.
He did.
You do not need to tell me that,
Mother.
And I love you
even though I sometimes wonder why.
I was going to tell you
about the house, darling.
When, exactly?
When an offer had been made,
I thought it would make it easier
to give your blessing.
So you acknowledge
that you require my blessing?
Legally, it requires your permission
to be sold.
Permission that will not be granted.
What do you mean?
I intend to move in.
Don't be absurd.
You won't get through the front door
without a gallon of bleach
and a hundredweight of wet wipes.
Why, darling?
Think of your lovely flat.
So clean and sterile.
But it is not home.
But that old house isn't our home
any longer either, sweetheart.
It's a shell of unhappy memories.
And this is Milly Standish.
She's the only other female patient
admitted in the last 48 hours.
First year student.
Same college as Diana Tyson.
She's in a coma. You won't be able
to interview her like the others.
Can you say what happened to her?
Acute subdural haematoma.
She fell down a staircase,
it says here.
- Any other injuries?
- No.
Er Excuse me for a moment.
- Let's go.
- Wait.
What are you doing?
Education's purpose is to replace
a narrow mind with an open mind.
So let's go through her
belongings again
to see what we might have missed.
Why don't you check her pockets
of whatever she was wearing?
Smell this.
It's pepper spray.
We need to get her round-the-clock
protection as quick as possible.
Professor, we've got another one.
Thanks for skipping your lunch,
Professor.
We wanted to do this
as quickly as possible
before she changes her mind.
We meet again, Miss Tyson.
You're safe
within the goldfish bowl
of your psyche.
Are you sure
you wish to step outside?
Well, I'd much rather stay
the goldfish,
but it's not just about me, is it?
I told Diana we have another victim.
Very well.
Close your eyes.
Hold your horses.
I'm sitting in.
That will not be necessary.
Excuse us, please.
Sorry.
I'm still the sodding boss
around here.
Your anger and frustration
are misplaced, Detective Inspector.
I suggest your energies
are better directed
towards fixing the problems
you are so transparently
experiencing in your private life.
He lost his only daughter six months
ago in a hit-and-run accident.
I will channel your natural desire
to disassociate
from these terrible events.
I will take you back,
but as an observer,
not as Diana Tyson.
Do you understand?
Can you see Diana on her bicycle?
Yes.
Has she reached the door yet?
Are you following her
to the lavatories?
Do you notice anything unusual?
No.
You're in the cubicle.
She hears something.
Is it significant?
My God!
What's she doing now?
She comes out of the cubicle.
She washes her hands.
The mirror! There's someone there.
What does he do to Diana?
He drags her by the hair.
He rips her necklace.
- Can you see his face?
- No, he's
He's got a balaclava on.
But what about his eyes? His hands?
His right hand, he's
He's got a tattoo. It's
four or five dots.
Five dots?
Well done, Miss Tyson.
Well done.
A prison tattoo.
Dennis Banks
served prison time.
We need to speak to your husband,
Mrs Banks.
Show me your hands, please,
Mr Banks.
Turn them over.
Can you come with us, please,
Mr Banks?
Professor,
did you get the notes I sent
from my interview
with Jasmine Banks?
He fits your profile,
and we found this.
It's Diana Tyson's chain,
but he claims he found it
while he was cleaning.
A jury might believe him.
Without a confession, we may not
have sufficient to hold him.
What about his alibi?
Well, his wife swears blind
he was home all night,
asleep for most of it.
OVER SPEAKER: The time is 6:12pm.
I am DS Donckers,
and present with me
in the room is Dennis Banks,
and police consultant
Professor Jasper Tempest.
It's really quite a transformation,
Mr Banks.
A choir boy at 12 and convict at 20.
From songbird to jailbird.
It says here you served four years
for holding up a newsagents.
Four years.
Locked up with the pushers
and the paedophiles.
No wonder you got a tattoo.
- Are you buying this?
- Just give it a chance.
Then a lifetime of emptying bins.
My idea of hell, Mr Banks.
Cleaning up the filth
of people your own age
who won't give you so much
as the time of day.
Revelations. Chapter 17.
"A woman full of abominations
"and the filthiest
of her fornication."
So you give in to your grievance.
And you get away with it.
Why stop there?
Then you meet
Jasmine.
And finally you have some semblance
of the life
you've always prayed for.
On your hands and knees.
As your eyes look to God,
but your thoughts turn to the Devil.
This is bollocks.
Jasmine was all you needed
to lock that part of you away.
Winters.
How did you find out
she was having an affair, Mr Banks?
You'd taken a sleeping pill
so why would your wife
need to check up on you?
Unless she had a very good reason
for wanting to be absolutely certain
you were asleep.
She'd been acting funny.
I said I was going to bed,
that I'd taken something
to help me sleep.
I heard her on the phone.
She left minutes later.
She broke her promise to you,
so you broke your promise
to yourself?
Dennis Banks, did you rape
Saskia Dawson and Diana Tyson,
and are you guilty of the
attempted rape of Milly Standish?
Milly's no longer in a coma, Dennis.
Dennis Banks, did you rape
Saskia Dawson and Diana Tyson,
and attempt to rape Milly Standish?
I need to hear you say it!
Yes.
- Thank you, Jasper.
- My pleasure, Christina.
This just came for you, Professor.
I see.
I'm not going to clean it.
Crime is inherently traumatic.
A narrow snapshot of the event
encodes onto the brain.
Within seconds, this memory starts
to fade, to become contaminated,
turning us
into unreliable narrators.
A violent event leaves a wound
which spreads
and infects everything.
Hi.
I know it's been a long time, but
we got him.
Trauma scrambles the senses,
ladies and gentlemen.
It transforms even the
most lucid mind into a labyrinth.