Episode Grade: (8.1/10)
In the aftermath of the prison riot and the events that followed, tensions are high. Violence has overtaken the newly-formed prison camp and the streets of Kingstown. The guards inside turn a blind eye and the police outside are overwhelmed. As Mike tries to navigate the chaos, he makes an unsettling discovery about Milo.
Plot (41/50)
The riot has left a visceral hatred among the prison guards after they were subjected to traumatizing assault. Now that they’re back in control, the guards are out for blood. When they’re not actively seeking revenge, they’re turning a blind eye to the violence between the inmates. In the absence of any sort of structure among the inmates, who are now kept in a literal camp, the structure outside is crumbling. Gang violence has gotten bolder and more vicious, with leaders like Bunny unable to contain the chaos. Needless to say, reestablish order is a tall task at the moment, and Mike knows it. However, Mike has to contend with the missing Milo at the moment, especially with Iris still under his protection. The murder of Duke and his goons looms large in the background as well, with Stevie probing about what Mike’s involvement was. This was an effective season premiere that quickly redefined the issues at hand in a way that was consistent with the way the previous season ended. With the amount of hatred that was developed throughout and was on full display in this episode, the writers really have their work cut out in making a compromise between the parties involved believable. Leaving Milo out of the episode was a good choice, as it allowed the episode to focus on its crime-drama elements whilst also strengthening Milo’s character as an unpredictable danger. Look for things to get worse before they get better.
Character Development (12/15)
Mike and Iris’ relationship is, at best, complicated. Mike’s trying his best to protect Iris, but he knows that as long as Milo’s roaming the city, he can’t personally guarentee her safety. He also has a lot on his plate with the city literally crumbling. He remains the city’s best chance of peace, and he knows it. But to be able to do his job, he can’t spend his days on a confiscated boat babysitting Iris. Iris, for her part, is quickly turning into an annoying character. She’s gone through an inexplicable amount of trauma, but her insistence on staying in the city even after learning that Milo’s likely still out there, is baffling. She somehow reaches the conclusion that Mike, the man who murdered a head of a gang and his goons to avenge her, doesn’t genuinely care for her wellbeing. I’m not trying to discount the trauma she faced, but her decision-making is just not making any sense at the moment. Speaking of trauma, Kareem is clearly suffering from PTSD after being brutalized during the riot. However, he manages to convince the joke of a psychiatrist that he’s alright, and as a result, he’s cleared for duty. Of course, his first action as warden is to get revenge on the-now-defenseless prisoners that assaulted him during the riot. Moving on, Mariam stubbornly insists on maintaining her position of empathy towards the prisoners and criminals in the city in the hopes that they can be rehabilitated. She remains oblivious to her surroundings even after she gets mugged as evident by her decision not to press charges against the man that assaulted her. Finally, Kyle’s having a hard time adapting to his new far-less-violent job upstate.
Theme/Messages (4/5)
- “The hardest thing you can do is forget.”
- “Every life is a series of choices.”
- As corrupt as established systems may be, tearing them down almost always creates a void that is immediately filled with chaos.
Acting (12/15)
Jeremy Renner (Mike) and Tobi Bamtefa (Bunny) always do a good job portraying their respective characters. Michael Beach (Kareem) was impressive here as well.
Cinematography (12/15)
- Cool transition shot from the clear lake and calming sunset to the smoking factories against the backdrop of the dark city (6:17)
- “Middle Child” by J. Cole played over the SWAT raid in what was a great and, no doubt, expensive choice.