Right before Christmas Charlotte Ekeblad is given an offer she hardly can refuse, to become a minister in the Swedish Parliament. As minister of environment she is put in a position with no greater power, yet the prime minister comes out as a modern and open minded leader with a young woman in his staff. Charlotte Ekeblad though, is torn between a family life as a woman, and the opportunity to make a career. In the middle of this stands a husband not really sure what to think of becoming number two in the family, and a resistance in the male domination of the government. The pressure builds up and the marriage starts to shake in its foundations. It's time for Charlotte to ask herself if the price for the ability to change is too high.
The 5th woman unfolds autumn 1994. An elderly man found in a gillrad pitfall impaled to death on the sharp sharpened bamboo poles, ecstatic praise of crows. Shortly afterwards disappears a florist without a trace and he also found executed in the forest. Kurt Wallander and his colleagues will soon understand that the attacks is all about revenge.
Göran Borg are suddenly fired. His children have no interest to use time with him, and the ex-wife has a new rich man. Göran don't believe life can get worse, but he is wrong. He decides to join his egocentric friend on a trip to India.
In 1876, Strindberg is penniless and once again his play "Master Olof" is rejected by the Royal Dramatic Theater. Debt collectors his furniture and Strindberg is on the verge of committing suicide.
Brothers Ousman and Malik are competing for a professional football contract, while trying to balance family life with love interests, parties, and the overarching threat of deportation.