Public Disorder (2025) – Season 1 Episode 3 Recap & Review

Episode 3

Episode 3 of Public Disorder begins with a flashback. 3-year-old Agata is forgotten in a locked car by her dad, Stefano who is a drunk. Marta has to break the window and she also has a scar on her abdomen. At present, a mutual colleague reveals that Stefano wants visiting rights and so does Agata.

And the judge will be inclined to do so as Marta never reported Stefano because she wanted to protect Agata from being traumatised. The colleague suggests Stefano may have changed. 

Meanwhile, the Nobilis are at the hospital as Emma has been raped. Michele is upset but goes about it clinically, ensuring there is evidence and wanting to instantly report it. Emma is closed off and insists on going home.

The DA starts interrogating Mazinga’s squad who stick to their story. Flores has several misconducts for improper force and being racist. As for Buccini, he is hounded about Mazinga’s vest and the burn mark where the bodycam should be. Salvatore corroborates that Mazinga was hit by a Molotov cocktail. We learn that he served in the Middle East and left after accidentally killing an innocent schoolboy. 

Back to work, Mazinga assures Salvatore that he doesn’t have the bodycam. Nobili thanks Marta for not signing the complaint letter. However, she is treated as an outcast by the rest of the unit for it. As for Pignarelli, he takes a sick leave.

Onto the new task, unit 3 is assigned to protect a Moldovan family who has been granted public housing. The locals are upset as they want the family to leave and for the government to prioritise homeless Italians. The woman, Elena and her children are stuck in a car while the rioters surround them. Nobili orders Marta to usher the family while the rest of the unit circles them. Mazinga breaks the circle midway but they get in relatively smoothly. 

Marta is furious with Mazinga while Nobili tells him to redirect his anger to him. Elena is afraid of what will happen once the cops are gone. Of course, the Ministry orders all the cops to leave and claims the City Council will deal with the matter. Nobili knows if they leave, the protestors will break in. And on cue, the protestors are at the door, banging on it and hurling insults at Elena.

The City Council finally accepts their mistake and allows unit 3 to take the family to the precinct. As the unit heads back, Salvatore tries to patch up with Marta. She points out that they wrote the complaint about the wrong guy. 

Back home, Emma refuses to report the rapist as she cannot deal with the scrutiny. Daniela tells Michele not to force her, that they should just be there for her. However, Emma eats late at night and avoids them. Elsewhere, Agata reveals that Stefano has told her about the car incident. Marta tears up and they hug.

The next day, Marta sits with Nobili and shares how everyone is impressed with how he handled Elena’s case. They end up bonding over their daughters as he is unsure of how to help Emma. Marta advises him to be by her side even if she doesn’t want it.

The interrogation resumes and it is Marta’s turn. She is shown the comatose boy, Franco’s photo. His mother has appealed to the nation for justice. The DA brings up Marta’s daughter and how she would feel if Agata was in a similar situation.

She is flustered as she takes a break and Mazinga follows her. She tells him about the line of questioning and he flips it by asking how Agata would feel if she was in Pietro’s place. Marta resumes her interview and the DA asks about cleaning the batons. She claims it is a routine clean-up.

Next is Pignarelli who has been threatened by Salvatore and Buccini. Even before he is asked, he narrates the story and is tense. The DA catches on and grills him on why he took a leave.

Finally, it is Mazinga’s turn. He claims the protestors had climbed the trees and may have fallen. We learn that he was previously accused of assault and threats but he was acquitted due to the statute of limitation. The DA claims that he only wants the culprit. By staying silent, the whole squad will be taking the fall but this doesn’t deter Mazinga. It cuts to Pietro who is frustrated by the pension process and takes his anger out on Anna and Mazinga.

Meanwhile, Marta agrees to Stefano’s visiting request but while Agata gets ready, she reveals something more damning – Stefano was abusive which is where Marta’s scar comes from. He hasn’t told Agata and Marta warns him to be good.

At the end of Public Disorder Episode 3, Nobili tries to talk to Emma but her door is locked. She is seen sitting on the window ledge. He breaks in and saves her before she can jump.

The Episode Review

Public Disorder Episode 3 combines a riot incident along with family drama and the investigation to amp up the suspense. By revealing that the DA is looking for a single culprit who is responsible for Franco’s injuries, the Netflix show turns into a whodunnit. It is a smart move as the previous two episodes have already established the two sides to violent riots.

While it continues to look for a balanced solution, it catches attention as viewers are bound to keep tuning in to find who is the culprit. With Mazinga being shown as a loyal leader, what we know for sure is that he is not the one but covering for the real attacker. Is it Salvatore? Or maybe even Marta?

Then there is the parallel between Emma and Agata. While Agata believes she knows everything, turns out, she doesn’t truly know how harsh reality can be. By introducing an abusive ex into the picture, Stefano is clearly going to cause problems for Marta.

Then there is Emma who has a dad who is the complete opposite of Stefano. But unlike Agata, she doesn’t let Nobili in, trying to deal with reality on her own. The final scene was the first moment in the show to elicit an emotional reaction and we do hope it continues so we can start getting invested in the characters’ ups and downs.