1949, the Japanese Occupation is over, Singapore has returned to British control, but the people are still struggling to pick up the pieces of their lives. 19 year-old Elizabeth Lee (Cheryl Wee) has just finished her Senior Cambridge exams and her mother, Yoke Lien (Aileen Tan) gives her two choices: find a job or get married. However, Elizabeth’s feisty nature gets the better of her and she gets into a scuffle with gangsters, catching the attention of secret society member Lim Seng Hock (Daren Tan) and British officer Henry Ridley (Jason Godfrey).
Elizabeth, Hani and Siew Lan decide to join the police, but they have obstacles to overcome. At the academy, they undergo tough training and Elizabeth gets picked on by Lucy (Melissa Faith Yeo) and other trainees.
Elizabeth and Hani are eager to catch criminals but the police force has different plans for them. Nevertheless, a serial snatch thief on a robbing spree might be the chance to prove themselves — if they can nab him.
Elizabeth is partnered with the sexist Inspector Kong Say Chong (Nicholas Lee) as they investigate the chilling rape and homicide of an innocent schoolgirl.
The police are overwhelmed by fierce riots breaking out across the city when a girl raised by a Malay family is ordered by the court to return to her biological parents.
The police must deal with several cases of vigilante justice meted out by an elusive female gang - The Red Butterfly. Tensions rise in Ang Huay over talk of a potential successor for their leader, Kway Pek (Richard Low) and one of the faction heads, Dua Jiak (Adam Chen), is eager for advancement. Meanwhile, Seng Hock encourages Yoke Lien to visit an old friend.
All eyes are on Ang Huay when the head of Tang Gu Long is found dead. To make matters worse, it is discovered that someone in Ang Huay is dealing in opium. As secrets within Ang Huay are slowly uncovered, how will its leaders manage the fallout?
As Ang Huay mourns the loss of one of its leaders, Seng Hock questions his involvement in the gang. Meanwhile, a villager makes a most grisly find - someone’s drowned a baby in the well.
Illegal gambling dens continue to flourish despite the best efforts of the police. They begin an operation to stamp out corruption within the force. Seng Hock attempts to gain Dua Jiak’s trust, and Hani faces a tough decision that might forever impact her career.
The cold-blooded murder of a shopkeeper sets off feelings of anger and injustice among villagers as suspicion falls on a widely-hated British officer. Meanwhile, Elizabeth tries to patch things up with Hani and Seng Hock goes to great lengths for Dua Jiak - but just how far will he go?
Elizabeth and Hani's relationship deteriorates further when Hani is reassigned to a rural police division and given menial tasks. The rest of the team has to handle yet another series of deadly protests fueled by anti-colonial sentiment.
A rich tai tai turns up dead on the beach, but her valuables are intact, sparking much speculation. Meanwhile, Sadeeq (Erwin Shah Dawson) and Hani work together on a case of a child prostitute, Wee Han tries to match make Seng Hock with Siew Lan, and Elizabeth finally goes on a date with Johnnie Goh. What kind of sparks will fly between them?
Elizabeth and Siew Lan meet cabaret dancer Mona Fong again, under different circumstances. Meanwhile, a gang of robbers are exploiting the frequent blackouts across Singapore to strike terror. Following a lead, Elizabeth investigates an opium dealer.
A nervous young man surrenders himself at the police station to confess to a killing, but it turns out to be more than the police expected. Meanwhile, Seng Hock makes an important discovery at Elizabeth’s home. Sadeeq has a date and Siew Lan has a surprise visitor - who could it be?
Yoke Lien becomes concerned when San Gu starts participating in an illegal lottery. Seng Hock makes an important discovery that points to betrayal within his gang. Kway Pek celebrates his birthday, but Dua Jiak has sinister plans for the party.
Fate deals a crushing blow on Siew Lan. Meanwhile, a girl and her parents press charges against her doctor for rape and his denial is absolute. Hani helps Graham in his time of need and Siew Lan pursues matters with Elizabeth’s help. When liars walk freely, can truth prevail?
Yoke Lien decides to tell Elizabeth about her past. The police deal with the return of legendary kidnapper Lam Kee Fong, and Ang Huay elects a new leader. Who will rise up to take Kway Pek’s place?
In the season finale of Mata Mata, Elizabeth fights for her life in Ipoh, Hani advances into enemy territory and Siew Lan treads the thin line between justice and vengeance. Meanwhile Seng Hock faces off his most formidable adversary. Who will survive in this final battle?
In 1955, Gerard and Annie Wee are murdered in cold blood by unknown assailants. They are survived by two daughters, whose fates take a different path from that moment on. Seng Hock is asked by the police to betray his Ang Huay brothers. Johnnie Goh returns, determined to make Elizabeth fall in love with him, but this could not have come at a worse time.
As Sadeeq and Hani consider an attractive job offer overseas, Elizabeth and Yoke Lien receive some terrible news. A group of vengeful gangsters are out to exact revenge on Seng Hock. The team looks into the case of a woman’s missing husband, and Elizabeth makes a difficult decision.
It’s the first day at work for inspectors Margaret and Shanti, who have just joined the Organised Crime Branch of the CID, but Margaret’s enthusiasm gets the better of her. A pair of young gangsters, Roy and Tony, both eager to prove their worth, start to make waves in the underworld. The body of a young girl is found in a well, and the team works with Dr. Peter Beh, forensic pathologist, to solve the case.
Margaret finds a photo of a house in an old case file familiar, but doesn’t know why. Sadeeq broaches the idea of having another child with Hani, but she hesitates, wanting to focus more on her career. Meanwhile, a jaga kereta boy is found dead after getting into a fight with a driver over 'parking fees' but the driver insists he’s not the killer.
As the team deals with the scourge of illegal blue film distribution in Singapore, Margaret continues to be baffled why the Wee family house, site of the Wee Murders of 1955, feels strangely familiar to her? Hani struggles with prioritizing her family over her career, and Shanti considers pursuing studies in law.
Margaret is overjoyed at the return of a childhood friend, and Shanti faces off with Charles over his chauvinistic tendencies. A Japanese woman is found stabbed in her own home, and Margaret goes undercover in a nightclub as part of the investigations. However, this only leads to more questions, as Margaret makes a shocking discovery.
Dr Peter Beh and Margaret build up a rapport that unsettles her childhood crush, Alan. Cabaret girl Helen is faced with a difficult choice between marriage and vengeance. Three bank robbers execute a daring bank heist in broad daylight and spark off an island-wide manhunt.
Margaret discovers that her mother, Ah Ying, has been secretly corresponding with someone for many years. A multi-millionaire makes a narrow escape from his kidnappers but they refuse to give up so easily. In order to catch the kidnappers, Boon Ping is assigned to stay in the rich man’s home and pose as his cousin.
Margaret and Helen look for Nancy Ang in Gemas but they are not alone in their search. Meanwhile, the team is on high alert after more than 30 inmates break out of a Bedok reformative centre, one of whom is a hardened criminal who goes out on a crime spree.
Seng Hock comforts Helen and she makes a surprising move in the heat of the moment. Margaret is visited by an unexpected guest in Singapore and Helen is struck by a shocking revelation that brings her closer to the truth she’s been seeking all these years. Meanwhile, a gang is harassing doctors (one of whom is Peter’s friend) in the Thomson area for protection money.
Helen’s happiness is short-lived as her recent discoveries come to an abrupt dead end. Boon Ping investigates a series of car thefts in his neighbourhood but suffers an unforeseen setback when he gets suspended for corruption. Meanwhile, Hani and Sadeeq eagerly await a wonderful arrival to their family.
The team investigates the cold-blooded killing of one of their own. Helen involves Margaret in a rash decision that might just put Margaret’s career on the line. Meanwhile, Tony helps Helen fend off a troublemaking customer at the nightclub, but do his actions do more harm than good?
Margaret stumbles upon a surprising new piece of evidence in the Wee Murders case. The team attempts to uncover the mystery behind the seemingly random stabbing of a wealthy woman. Roy and Tony commit a serious act that could jeopardise their future with the gang.
Margaret tracks down former Inspector Kong to talk to him about the Wee Murders case. A distinctive gun is used to commit a robbery at a goldsmith’s and the team uncovers a gun-rental business. Roy and Tony resort to drastic action under pressure, and Seng Hock offers to help them.
Faced with new discoveries, Margaret is determined to arrest the mastermind behind the Wee Murders and she ropes in the help of others. Shanti finds herself in a dilemma between love and her career while deciding whether or not to pursue her dream of becoming a lawyer. Meanwhile, when a young woman is found dead in a deserted spot, her boyfriend and a married man are both under investigation.
Three years have passed; Margaret has been promoted to the rank of ASP and Shanti has just returned from her law studies in London. Shanti’s cousin has a personal crisis and she seeks Shanti’s help. Seng Hock, now a more senior member of Tong Hup, faces the results of his actions in the past. And Charles, who has been transferred to the newly formed Central Narcotics Bureau, investigates an international drugs smuggling gang with surprising consequences.
The team investigates the murder of an unidentifiable Caucasian man as they attempt to stall the efforts of a notorious drug syndicate that threatens to use Singapore as a means to further their empire. Seng Hock gets an unexpected visit from an old friend, and Margaret starts to become suspicious of someone close to her.
The heartbreaking murder of four young children is one of the most horrendous crimes the CID and Dr Peter Beh have seen in all their years. The leader of a notorious drug syndicate based in Amsterdam is due to arrive in Singapore, and the police prepare to make a big arrest and bring down the key members of the syndicate. Margaret’s suspicions lead to shocking discoveries for her, both personally and professionally.
Set in the 1980s, the third installment of Mata Mata, follows a new batch of police officers in a period where some of Singapore’s most grisly and heinous crimes were committed, ranging from the Adrian Lim ritual murders to the Scripps body parts murder and Andrew Road murders. Elizabeth’s daughter, Joyce returns to Singapore from United States and crosses paths with Seng Hock’s son, Kiat. Will love blossom between them?
The CID is in a race against time to find a serial killer before he commits yet another brutal murder. Kiat gets further drawn into the illegal activities of a teen gang and fears for the safety of a more impressionable classmate. Joyce is faced with a choice: will she stay in Singapore and join the police force like her mother did?
A few years have passed. Patricia is now in the CID and Joyce has also been recently transferred there. The CID team, under the leadership of now ASP Tan Han Lim, investigates a teen gang assault. Patricia and Joyce learn to cooperate, despite different working styles, and both are asked to audition to be the new host of Crimewatch. Kiat, working undercover, gets a new job at a video shop owned by Dennis’ gang, hoping to work his way up the hierarchy.
The team investigates a mysterious case of murder and arson. Kiat tries to find out more about the gang’s illegal activities but finds himself frustrated by fellow gangster Gary, who tries to keep Kiat under his thumb. Joyce collects a box of old things from her late grandmother’s home, and makes an interesting discovery about her mother’s past.
Patricia and Han Lim, with their common interest in local cuisine, start to have more meals together, and are spotted by the other CID officers, who start to gossip. Joyce gets one step closer to finding out exactly who “Hock” was to her mother Elizabeth, and the team investigates a possible hostage situation in a wealthy neighbourhood.
Tommy, Patricia’s ex-boyfriend and a former member of Dennis’ gang, is released from prison. While he hopes to turn over a new leaf, he finds it difficult to distance himself from the gang to which he once belonged. Joyce struggles to connect with her sister Emily, who rebels even more when Joyce refuses to trust her. Meanwhile, the CID team investigates a murder at a private condo and uncovers secrets, lies and manipulations within the seemingly quiet and respectable community of residents.
The team investigates a robbery-gone-wrong that results in the death of an elderly landlady. Kiat and Joyce discover that their late parents had known each other in the past and continue exchanging letters. Patricia and Han Lim are the subject of office gossip, causing Han Lim to change his behaviour towards her. Meanwhile, Tommy has taken over as the boss in the gang-run video rental shop, and Kiat manages to impress him with his initiative and ingenuity.
The team investigates a macabre case of a murder victim cooked in a pot of curry. Tommy is put in charge of the gang for the time being, while Eric and Dennis seek out new business opportunities overseas. Emily gets herself into trouble yet again, this time with potentially disastrous consequences.
Kiat continues to impress his superiors, and is assigned greater responsibilities in his gang. Patricia and Joyce become better friends after Patricia helps Joyce to save Emily from a spot of trouble. Tommy reconnects with Patricia and he convinces her that he’s turned his life around. The team investigates an upsetting case – the disappearance and eventual murder of three young children.
A serial rapist terrorises teenage girls in the eastern part of Singapore, and the CID team has to find him before he strikes again. Joyce is pleased when her usually irresponsible sister Emily gets a part-time job at a video rental shop, but she is less than impressed by Emily’s new colleague, Kenny, whom she thinks is a shady character. Tommy and Patricia make up for lost time and rekindle their past romance.
The CID team investigate another murder when the dead body of a rich man washes up on the shore one day. Kiat discovers new illegal dealings that the gang is involved in and tries to probe further, at the risk of his real identity being uncovered. Joyce worries about her sister Emily working with Kenny, and confides in her pen-pal Kiat.
The CID team uncovers the motives for what appears to be a crime of passion, while undercover Kiat finds out that Eric and his gang have ambitions to move into the drug business. Patricia and Tommy grow closer and Patricia tells him about a painful incident in her past, unaware of Tommy’s role in it, and of his current gang connections. Just as the relationship between Joyce and her sister Emily start to improve, Joyce receives news from the U.S. that might change everything.
A series of brazen armed robberies in broad daylight sets the CID team on an exciting manhunt and chase. Kiat has gained Tommy’s trust and finally gets to meet the gang boss, Eric, in person. Joyce and Kiat’s friendship deepens through their correspondence and they share a close connection. However, Joyce is hurt and disappointed when she eventually finds out who her pen-pal Kiat really is. Meanwhile, Dennis uncovers a secret that could put Tommy’s life in danger.
A decomposing body is found in an old fishing village and the CID team has to solve the mystery. Disappointed that her pen-pal Kiat had been lying to her, Joyce stops writing to him. Kiat gets closer to Eric and his gang and leans more about their big plans to smuggle drugs into the country. Dennis tells Eric the secret that Tommy has been hiding. Furious that Tommy has lied to him all these years, Eric orders Dennis to kill them both Tommy and Patricia.
The CID team tracks down a gunman responsible for the execution of a provision shop owner. Kiat makes the painful decision to write Joyce a final goodbye letter. Patricia is confused by Tommy’s sudden disappearance, and begins to question everything she knows about him, unaware that her own life is in danger. Meanwhile, ASP Lee Boon Ping from the Intel Division finds out from Kiat that Patricia is dating a known gangster, Tommy. At the same time, Patricia’s concern for Han Lim’s health brings them together as friends again.
A shocking discovery of dismembered body parts leads the CID on an investigation to find the savage killer who’s responsible. Patricia is unhappy at being questioned by Intel regarding her relationship with Tommy. Will she reveal to the police that Tommy has made contact with her? Gary is released from prison, and is eager to start working for the gang again, but this time, he faces Kiat as his rival for Eric’s approval. A disgruntled Gary seeks out greener pastures with a rival gang and brings trouble with him.
Anand is still worried about Han Lim due to his recent health scare, but Han Lim dismisses his concerns and leads the team on a new investigation into the violent assault of two Japanese tourists at East View Hotel. Gang boss Eric seems to be distracted by yet another business venture – the opening of a new nightclub. Kiat suspects that something bigger is brewing… Patricia feels deeply conflicted about her feelings towards Tommy. When he reveals to her that he saved her life more than once in the past, she has a huge personal decision to make – to trust him, or to turn him in to the police? Meanwhile, Joyce finally opens Kiat’s goodbye letter to her, and finds a very interesting old photo that may lead her closer to the real truth about Kiat.
Joyce finally learns the whole truth about Kiat’s undercover work, after he ends up in hospital in a serious condition. The CID is out in full force hunting down both Eric and Tommy. Patricia is disillusioned by what she feels is the team’s lack of trust in her, and finally makes her decision. Before she can act on it, she is abducted. The police finally catch up with Eric and Tommy in a tense showdown. In the wake of their successful manhunt, Han Lim receives some devastating personal news. Will Joyce and Kiat renew their friendship, and will Patricia and Han Lim’s friendship withstand their personal tragedies?
