Episode 5 of "Dept. Q" begins with Carl Morck and Akram visiting a climbing wall center to investigate the death of Sam Haig, a man who was found dead four years ago. They speak with Paul, who explains that Sam was an avid climber and often went climbing alone. The assumption is that Sam fell while climbing without proper equipment. However, Akram notices inconsistencies in the story, such as Sam's equipment being left in his locked car and no keys found at the scene. This suggests that someone else might have been involved in Sam's death.

As they continue their investigation, they learn that Sam was in a relationship with Merritt Lingard, the missing prosecutor whose case Carl is working on. The team discovers that Merritt and Sam's relationship was not well-received by everyone, particularly a woman named Chloe, who describes Sam's friend Paul as a "psycho." This interaction raises more questions about the circumstances surrounding Sam's death and its connection to Merritt's disappearance.

Later, Carl and Akram visit the newspaper where Sam worked to gather more information. They speak with Sam's editor, who seems unaware of what Sam was working on at the time of his death. After the interview, a reporter approaches Carl and informs him that the fiancée of the officer who died in the shooting incident that has haunted Carl has given birth to their daughter. The reporter also mentions that the fiancée blames Carl for the officer's death, which triggers a violent reaction from Carl. He pushes the reporter away, expressing agreement that maybe he should have been the one to die.

Meanwhile, Akram and Rose interview Kirsty Atkins, who claims she hired a hitman to kill someone. Kirsty expresses her desire to get out of prison and disappear once she is released in six weeks. This conversation adds another layer to the mystery surrounding Merritt's disappearance and potential connections to other characters.

As the episode progresses, Carl's personal struggles continue. He suffers a panic attack after being forced to deliver a statement about the Merritt Lingard case at a press conference. Watching this on TV, William, Merritt's brother, becomes distressed and escapes from his care facility. Carl confides in James about the case and is approached by Lord Advocate Stephen Burns, Merritt's former supervisor, who seems to have an interest in the case.

The episode also delves into Rose's backstory, revealing that she was initially put on desk duty after experiencing PTSD following a traumatic incident on the job. This incident involved a pedestrian being hit during a car chase, leaving Rose with guilt and emotional scars.

Throughout the episode, Carl questions Moira's motives for assigning him the cold case squad and specifically the Merritt Lingard case. He suspects that Moira might be trying to rectify past mistakes by having him solve the case. However, it is revealed that Akram chose the case from a selection of cold cases provided by the Crown office, which complicates Carl's theory about Moira's intentions.

The episode concludes with a sense of heightened tension and unresolved questions, as Carl and his team continue to uncover potential motives and connections in Merritt's disappearance, while also dealing with their personal demons and the complexities of institutional corruption.

At the end of Dept. Q Season 1, Episode 5, the team discovers that Merritt Lingard has been held captive in a hyperbaric chamber by Lyle Jennings and his mother Ailsa. Morck is shot in the arm while protecting Akram during a confrontation with Lyle, who is then killed by Akram. Merritt is rescued safely after the pressure in the chamber is carefully released. Meanwhile, Ailsa attempts to escape but commits suicide by shooting herself before the police can arrest her.

Expanded narrative of the ending scene by scene:

The episode culminates with Morck, Akram, and the team tracing Merritt Lingard's disappearance to a remote location where she is found alive but trapped inside a hyperbaric chamber. This chamber is a pressurized environment typically used for medical treatments, and releasing her too quickly would be fatal due to the drastic change in air pressure.

As they work to figure out how to safely lower the pressure, Lyle Jennings, the son of Ailsa Jennings and the true kidnapper posing as Sam Haig, arrives wielding a shotgun. Morck instinctively steps in front of Akram, taking a gunshot wound to his arm. This act of protection is significant, showing Morck's growth from a sarcastic, dismissive figure to someone willing to sacrifice himself for his colleague.

Lyle moves to finish them off, but Merritt's scream from inside the chamber distracts him just long enough for Akram to act. Akram throws a knife into Lyle's neck, then grabs the shotgun and shoots Lyle dead, ending the immediate threat.

With Lyle gone, the team is able to safely reduce the pressure in the chamber and rescue Merritt. Emergency services are called, and Merritt is taken to safety.

Meanwhile, Ailsa Jennings attempts to flee by driving onto a ferry leaving the island of Mhor. Police block her path, but before they can arrest her, she pulls out a pistol and shoots herself in the head, committing suicide.

The main characters' fates at the end are:

• Carl Morck: Survives the gunshot wound to his arm, having protected Akram in a moment of danger.
• Hassan Akram: Survives the confrontation, kills Lyle, and helps rescue Merritt.
• Merritt Lingard: Rescued alive from captivity after more than four years.
• Lyle Jennings: Killed by Akram during the rescue.
• Ailsa Jennings: Commits suicide to avoid arrest.

This ending resolves the central mystery of Merritt's disappearance while highlighting the dangers and sacrifices involved in the investigation. Morck's protective act toward Akram marks a turning point in their relationship, and the tragic end of Ailsa Jennings closes the chapter on the kidnappers.

The TV show "Dept. Q," Season 1, Episode 5 (2025), does not have any information in the available sources indicating the presence of a post-credit scene. The detailed recaps and reviews of Episode 5 focus on the main plot developments, including the investigation into Sam Haig's death, Merritt Lingard's disappearance, and the unfolding institutional corruption, but none mention a post-credit scene or additional footage after the episode ends.

Therefore, based on the current information, there is no post-credit scene in Dept. Q Season 1 Episode 5.

In Episode 5, Rose follows a lead related to Sam Haig's death at a climbing wall centre, where she and Carl question a man who found Sam's body and a pregnant woman who disapproves of Sam's relationship with Paul, revealing tensions around Sam's social circle and the circumstances of his fall.

The disappearance of Merritt Lingard is linked to Sam Haig's death because Merritt went missing the day after Sam died, and they were in a relationship. This connection prompts Carl and Akram to investigate the circumstances surrounding both events closely.

Carl struggles with the pressure of running Department Q and handling the Merritt Lingard case, including delivering a public statement that causes him a panic attack. He also faces skepticism from colleagues and interference from Moira, who assigned him the cold case squad possibly to have him work alone and clean up past mistakes.

Episode 5 reveals a potential financial motive behind Merritt Lingard's disappearance, with DI Hardy uncovering signs of institutional corruption. Carl confronts Moira about her decisions and the initial investigation, suggesting that corruption and cover-ups may be obstructing the case.

Key characters include Carl Morck, the lead detective; Akram, his assistant who selects the Merritt Lingard case; Rose, who follows leads on Sam Haig; Moira, who oversees Department Q and pressures Carl; Merritt Lingard, the missing prosecutor; Sam Haig, whose death is connected to Merritt; Paul and Chloe, individuals connected to Sam's social circle; and Dr. Fiona Wallace, who refuses access to William, Merritt's disabled brother.

"Dept. Q" is not family-friendly due to several potentially objectionable or upsetting aspects. Here are some general themes and content that might be concerning for children or sensitive viewers:

1. Violence and Gore: The series includes severe violence and gore, which can be disturbing for some viewers. These scenes are often part of the cold cases being investigated.

2. Profanity: There is a significant amount of harsh language used throughout the series, which may not be suitable for younger audiences.

3. Sex and Nudity: While mild, there are scenes with nudity and suggestive content, such as brief glimpses of nudity or discussions of sexual topics.

4. Alcohol and Substance Use: Alcohol is used in moderation, but there are instances where characters are shown to be intoxicated.

5. Frightening and Intense Scenes: The show includes moderate levels of frightening and intense scenes, which can be unsettling for sensitive viewers.

6. Emotional Themes: The series explores themes of guilt, trauma, and personal struggles, which can be emotionally challenging for some viewers.

These elements are present throughout the series and may be included in Episode 5 as well. However, specific details about Episode 5 are not provided here to avoid spoilers.