Ep 1. Yankee

In the season 2 premiere of The Bridge, titled "Yankee," the aftermath of the first season's finale is explored. Detective Sonya Cross (Diane Kruger) is still reeling from the death of her partner and lover, Detective Marco Ruiz (Demián Bichir), as well as her own brush with death after being shot by a cartel member.

The episode opens with a close-up of a desert landscape littered with bullet shells and abandoned vehicles. We soon learn that this is the aftermath of a shootout between rival cartel members, which has left several people dead. Sonya is on the scene with her new partner, Tim Cooper (Franka Potente), investigating the incident. As they work to piece together what happened, they discover a connection to the ongoing case involving a serial killer who has been targeting young women on both sides of the US-Mexico border.

Meanwhile, in Mexico, Marco has survived his gunshot wound but is struggling to adapt to his new life as a civilian. He finds solace in alcohol and begins to spiral out of control, much to the concern of his family and friends. Marco is haunted by the memory of his betrayal of his former colleague, Fausto Galvan (Ramon Franco), who is now in prison and rumored to have put a hit out on him.

As the investigation into the cartel shootout and the serial killer case heats up, Sonya and Tim find themselves butting heads over how to proceed. Sonya, still plagued by her own trauma, is determined to catch the killer at all costs and is willing to take risks that Tim deems reckless. Meanwhile, Tim is struggling to earn Sonya's trust and respect, as her reputation as a brilliant but difficult detective precedes her.

The tension between the two detectives comes to a head when they discover a lead on the serial killer's identity. Sonya is convinced that they need to act quickly and apprehend the suspect, but Tim urges caution, citing the potential danger to innocent bystanders. The two ultimately come to a compromise and set a plan in motion to catch the killer.

As the episode comes to a close, Sonya receives an unexpected visitor - her sister, Lisa (Stephanie Sigman), who she hasn't seen in years. Lisa's arrival throws a wrench into Sonya's already tumultuous personal life, as she grapples with guilt and grief over her failed relationships with both Marco and her sister.

"Yankee" sets the stage for what promises to be another gripping season of The Bridge, exploring the complexities of the US-Mexico border and the toll that violence and corruption take on the people who inhabit it. The episode sets up several intriguing plotlines, including the ongoing investigation into the serial killer and the precarious state of Marco's personal and professional life. With stellar performances from Kruger, Bichir, and Potente, The Bridge continues to be a must-watch crime drama.