Ep 1. In Other News

In the first episode of Black Earth Rising, entitled "In Other News," we are introduced to Kate Ashby, a survivor of the Rwandan genocide who was adopted by an English woman named Eve. The episode opens with Kate, played by Michaela Coel, attending a lecture about the legacy of the genocide given by her mother, who is a human rights lawyer. Kate is visibly uncomfortable with the attention she receives as an emblematic survivor, and the audience is introduced to her conflicting feelings of shame, privilege and confusion about her own identity.

Kate is approached by a journalist named Michael Ennis, played by John Goodman, who wants to interview her about her experiences. He introduces her to Alice Munezero, a Rwandan woman who works for the International Criminal Court (ICC). Alice encourages Kate to testify in front of the ICC against a warlord named Patrice Ganimana, who was involved in the genocide in Rwanda. Kate initially refuses, but changes her mind after consulting with her adoptive mother Eve, who advises her that testifying is the right thing to do.

As Kate prepares to testify, she meets with a man named Simon Nyamoya, who is a member of the Rwandan diaspora and was also affected by the genocide. Simon reveals to Kate that her birth mother was Tutsi and that her father was a Hutu who collaborated with the genocidal government. Simon offers to help Kate find out more about her parents, and they begin to work together to uncover the truth about her past.

Meanwhile, Michael Ennis is questioned by his boss about his motivations for pursuing the story about Kate. He reveals that he has ulterior motives and that his interest in Kate is not purely journalistic. Michael is later accused of sensationalizing the story for personal gain, after he airs a leaked video of Kate's testimony on his news program.

The episode highlights the complexity of the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide, and the various perspectives and motivations of those involved in seeking justice and telling the story of what happened. The show also explores themes of identity, trauma, and the power dynamics at play within the global justice system. Overall, the first episode of Black Earth Rising sets the stage for a thrilling and thought-provoking series, with a talented and diverse cast bringing these complex issues to life.