Ep 2. The Astronaut & The Lion King

Carter season 1 episode 2, titled "The Astronaut & The Lion King," takes viewers on a wild ride as the show's titular character, Harley Carter, continues to navigate small-town life after returning home from his successful stint as a Hollywood star. This episode sees Carter drawn into a case involving the local zoo, where one of the resident lions appears to be exhibiting strange behavior.

As the episode begins, Carter is still settling into his new life in his hometown of Bishop, Ontario. He's working as a consultant for the police department, using his experience as a TV detective to help them solve cases. But he's also trying to reconnect with old friends and family members who are suspicious of his sudden return to town.

Carter's latest case takes him to the local zoo, where he meets with the director, Dr. Maria Park. She tells him about a lion named Simba who has been acting aggressively towards his mate, Nala, and the handlers. Simba is usually a gentle giant, but lately, he's been growling and snapping at anyone who comes near him. Dr. Park tells Carter that she's worried about Simba's mental state and is considering putting him down if the behavior continues.

Carter immediately takes an interest in the case and starts investigating. He meets with the zookeepers and learns that Simba's behavior coincided with the arrival of a new zookeeper, a man named Brad who claims to be an astronaut. Brad claims that he has a special connection with animals and can communicate with them on a deep level. The other zookeepers are skeptical of Brad's claims, but Simba seems to be responding positively to him.

As Carter digs deeper, he discovers some surprising things about Brad's past. He was indeed an astronaut, but he was washed out of the program after failing a psychological evaluation. Since then, he's bounced around from job to job, always claiming that he has a unique ability to connect with animals.

Carter realizes that Brad is the key to solving the case. He does some undercover work and gains Brad's trust by pretending to be a fellow animal communicator. Brad confesses to Carter that he's been giving Simba a special plant called Ayahuasca, which he believes helps animals connect with their inner selves. Carter realizes that the plant is actually a hallucinogen and that Brad is the reason for Simba's strange behavior.

The episode's climax takes place during a zoo fundraiser, where Simba breaks out of his enclosure and starts rampaging through the crowd. Carter and Brad have a tense confrontation, and Carter eventually convinces Brad to give Simba the antidote to the plant. Simba recovers, and Dr. Park decides not to put him down. Carter earns the respect of the zookeepers and continues to make inroads in his new life.

Overall, "The Astronaut & The Lion King" is a fun and engaging episode that showcases the show's quirky sense of humor and light-hearted tone. It's clear that Carter is still finding his footing in his new life, but he's also starting to uncover some of the dark secrets lurking beneath the surface of his idyllic hometown. Fans of crime drama, comedy, and cozy mysteries will all find something to enjoy in this episode, which sets the stage for the rest of the season.