Ep 1. Black Cats Do Not Dream of Stars

As the second season of Darker Than Black begins with the episode 'Black Cats Do Not Dream of Stars,' we find ourselves in Tokyo where people have begun to grow increasingly uneasy due to the sudden increase in strange occurrences. It is believed that such events are the result of the appearance of a new group known as Hell's Gate, whose members are thought to possess supernatural abilities.

Hei, who is known as The Black Reaper, is a Contractor - someone who gained these powers after the appearance of Hell's Gate. Hei works for the Syndicate, an organization that operates covertly and uses their Contractors to carry out missions. Although Hei possesses the ability to manipulate electricity, his Contractor power has recently been in a period of dormancy. Due to this, he has been working under the guise of a college student in Tokyo.

The episode picks up with the introduction of a brand new character, Suou Pavlichenko, who is seen living a happy and carefree life with her twin brother, Shion. Their peaceful existence is soon brought to an abrupt halt when they find themselves caught up in the middle of the strange occurrences taking place in the city.

Suou is initially puzzled by her brother's sudden disappearance, but is soon approached by a Contractor called July, who introduces himself as her pet. Realizing that his appearance is somehow connected to her brother's disappearance, Suou sets out to find him with July's help.

At the same time, Hei is sent on a mission to infiltrate a Russian Museum; unbeknownst to him, Suou and July are also headed there. The three end up meeting each other in the course of a chaotic encounter, which is when we get to witness the first interaction between this trio.

As the episode progresses, we see glimpses of Hei's previous life, including the loss of his sister. This tragic backstory explains why he takes Suou under his wing, protecting and guiding her through the perilous situations they both find themselves in.

Aside from just introducing Suou, we're also introduced to the concept of "Dolls," which are beings possessed by people with the ability to manipulate the memory of others. This is an interesting take on the supernatural theme and brings in a significant degree of intrigue to the story.

Meanwhile, July seeks to help Suou understand her newfound powers and her connection to her brother and, in doing so, reveals that she may be more than just a typical girl. Through her own journey of self-discovery and the use of July's power, Suou gains the ability to manifest an energy-mining rifle.

Overall, Black Cats Do Not Dream of Stars was a fantastic start to the season. It provides a thorough recap of the first season while introducing new characters, themes and plotlines, keeping us hooked and engaged in the story's developments. The introduction of Suou provides a much-needed breath of fresh air to the narrative, and her interactions with Hei are nothing short of engaging. The stakes are much higher in this season, with the introduction of a new villainous organization in the form of the Japanese Public Security Bureau. The future seems uncertain, but one thing's for sure - we're all eagerly awaiting the next episode!