Dept. Q | Season 1, Episode 5 | The Crag: Where Every Clue Gets Crispy

Dept. Q hits its stride in “The Crag,” an episode where every lead is a sharp edge and every clue is a crispy surprise. Jen and Ray dig into the pivotal Pentalina ferry flashback, Merritt’s claustrophobic “pressure tomb,” and a cascade of clues—an alias, an affair, and a missing necklace—that finally get the whole team cooking.

With emotional gut-punches, witty banter, and detective teamwork at its finest, this episode proves Dept. Q is firing on all cylinders and ready to serve up the twistiest tots yet.

---

Episode Highlights

🚢 The Pentalina Ferry Flashback: Merritt’s last moment of normalcy—searching for William’s hat—turns into a nightmare as she’s ambushed by a mysterious woman and a man in a hat. The pillowcase abduction, the broken car window, and the total lack of witnesses set the tone for the entire case.

🕳️ The Pressure Tomb: Merritt wakes in her hyperbaric prison, fighting to hold onto her identity. Her captors’ psychological warfare and monthly “guessing game” push her to the edge, blending trauma, guilt, and survival.

🛋️ Carl & Dr. Irving’s Banter: Scottish slang, “tatty bye,” and plumbing metaphors give us a glimpse of Carl’s emotional constipation and his complicated relationship with stepson Jasper. Dr. Irving keeps nudging Carl to open up, even as he tries to run from his feelings.

👩‍💼 Rose’s Island Mission: Rose charms Constable Cunningham and his son Colin, uncovering the bombshell that Merritt returned to Moore for Harry Jennings’ funeral. A circled necklace in crime scene photos becomes the episode’s key clue.

💎 The Necklace Connection: The diamond pendant on a platinum chain, belonging to Lila Linard, wasn’t stolen in the original break-in. Rose and Akram realize this overlooked detail could unravel the whole case.

🏚️ The Jennings’ Wasteland: Rose and Colin’s visit to the bleak Jennings property reveals a history of fraud, loss, and desperation—plus a memorial for Harry and a setting as grim as the secrets it hides.

🤝 Hardy’s Wisdom: Hardy encourages Rose to trust her instincts and reminds her that she’s the “special sauce” Dept. Q needs.

📝 The Affair & The Alias: Akram finds a note signed “S,” leading Carl to confirm Merritt’s brief affair with Liam and her use of a credit card in her mother’s name, Lila Graham—a pivotal clue.

🏨 The Hotel Records: Carl, Rose, and Akram strong-arm the Prince Garden Hotel desk clerk for records, discovering Merritt stayed in the same room repeatedly. The last authorized guest? Sam Haig—a new suspect and a whole new spoke on the investigation wheel.

🔥 The Cliffhanger: In the chamber, Merritt’s forced to confess about Sam Haig. Her captors claim he’s dead because of her, and the punishment is swift—heat, oxygen deprivation, and a new layer of guilt. Merritt is battered but unbroken, and Dept. Q is closer than ever to the truth.

---

Totty Takeaways

This episode is a golden-brown blend of relentless twists, emotional depth, and detective teamwork. Every member of Dept. Q brings their A-game, and the clues—alias, affair, necklace—finally start to fit together. The pacing is electric, the performances are top-notch, and every scene is a new ledge on the craggy path to the truth.

---

🥔 Tator Tot Rating (1 to 5 tots)

Jen: 4.5 Tots 🥔🥔🥔🥔✨
Ray: 4 Tots 🥔🥔🥔🥔

🔗 Links & Resources

Dept. Q on Netflix 

 

Dept. Q at IMDB

 

Join Our Patreon

 

Shop Tator Tots and TV Plots Merchandise

 

🙌 Connect with Us
Email the Show: [email protected]
Email Jen: [email protected]
Email Ray: [email protected]

Enjoyed the episode?
Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or share your own Tator Tot Rating on Instagram with #TotsAndPlots