Ashes to Ashes season 1 episode 1 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
DI Alex Drake, a modern-day police officer, is shot and inexplicably wakes up in 1981, echoing the experience of Sam Tyler, a colleague she had studied. Confused and desperate to return to her daughter in 2008, Alex grapples with her new reality, clashing with the brash DCI Gene Hunt and his team. As she navigates this perplexing world, Alex seeks answers, believing her situation to be a hallucination or a test she must solve. Her confrontation with the criminal Arthur Layton, who has connections to her past, becomes a pivotal moment. Alex's journey blends a quest for understanding with the challenge of adapting to her unexpected life in 1981, all while holding onto the hope of returning home.
Full Episode S01E01 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sam Tyler?
Sam Tyler is a police officer who reportedly found himself in 1973 under mysterious circumstances, later referenced by DI Alex Drake.
Who is DI Alex Drake?
DI Alex Drake is a modern-day police officer who, after being shot, wakes up in 1981, struggling to understand her situation.
What connection does Alex Drake have with Sam Tyler?
Alex Drake is familiar with Sam Tyler's case and experiences a similar time displacement after being shot, waking up in 1981.
What triggers Alex Drake's journey to 1981?
Alex Drake's journey to 1981 is triggered by a gunshot wound inflicted by Arthur Layton, a criminal with knowledge of her past.
Who is Gene Hunt?
Gene Hunt is a police officer in 1981, known for his unconventional methods and leadership of the team Alex encounters.
How does Alex Drake react to her new environment in 1981?
Initially confused and disoriented, Alex Drake seeks explanations for her situation, believing it to be a hallucination or coma-induced dream.
What is Alex Drake's goal in 1981?
Alex Drake's primary goal is to return to her time and her daughter, using her knowledge of Sam Tyler's experiences to navigate her new reality.
How does Alex Drake's arrival affect Gene Hunt's team?
Alex Drake's modern methods and attitude clash with Gene Hunt's team's 1981 policing style, leading to tension and eventual collaboration.
What does Arthur Layton know about Alex Drake?
Arthur Layton recognizes Alex Drake upon their confrontation, hinting at a deeper connection to her past and her parents' history.
How does the hostage situation in 1981 unfold?
The hostage situation serves as a pivotal moment for Alex to assert her authority and skills, leading to her acceptance of her role in 1981.
What is the significance of Alex Drake's "hallucination" theory?
Alex Drake theorizes that her experience in 1981 is a hallucination triggered by trauma, reflecting her struggle to accept her new reality.
How does Alex Drake plan to return to her time?
Alex Drake believes that solving the mystery of her displacement and confronting her past, particularly Arthur Layton, might enable her return.
What is the outcome of Alex's confrontation with Layton?
The confrontation with Layton ends with Alex asserting control and acknowledging her situation in 1981, stepping into her role alongside Gene Hunt.
How does Alex Drake's perspective change throughout her experience?
Alex's perspective shifts from denial and desperation to return home to a more nuanced understanding and acceptance of her role in 1981.
What is the overarching theme of Alex Drake's journey?
The overarching theme is the exploration of identity, reality, and the power of human resilience in the face of disorienting and challenging circumstances.
