Ep 2. Homecoming

After a successful debut season, ABC's hit legal drama series, For Life, is back with more heart-wrenching and thought-provoking storylines in its second season. The second episode, titled "Homecoming," takes us further into the world of Aaron Wallace (Nicholas Pinnock), a former inmate-turned-lawyer who is fighting for his freedom and the freedom of others who have been wrongly accused of crimes.

In this episode, we see Aaron returning to his old stomping grounds of Bellmore, New York, for a very emotional and confrontational homecoming. Bellmore is where Aaron grew up and where he was convicted for a crime he didn't commit, landing him in prison for ten years. But Bellmore is also where he met his wife, Marie (Joy Bryant), and where his daughter, Jasmine (Tyla Harris), was born and raised. So, for Aaron, going back home is a mixed bag of emotions, both good and bad.

Aaron's return to Bellmore is prompted by a case that hits close to home. A young man from the neighborhood is accused of a crime that Aaron knows he's innocent of. Aaron feels personally responsible for helping the young man because he knows how the system can be stacked against you, especially if you don't have the means to fight for your innocence. And, it's not just the legal system that can be cruel and unjust, as Aaron quickly finds out when he's confronted by the very people who put him behind bars.

The episode starts with a flashback to when Aaron was in prison and Marie would visit him. As he tells her about his plans to become a lawyer and help those who were wrongfully convicted, Marie asks him if he's not afraid of returning to the place that took so much from him. "You can't let your fear control you," Aaron responds, and this mantra rings true throughout the episode.

Aaron's visit to Bellmore is met with hostility and suspicion from those who still hold a grudge against him for his previous notoriety from his past. As Aaron tries to gather evidence to help the young man he's defending, he's followed by people who don't trust him and who want him to leave town. Aaron's past is not just a blemish on his reputation, it's also a target for those who want to see him fail.

But Aaron is not alone in his fight. His wife, Marie, is by his side and lends her support as she encourages him to stay focused on helping others. Jasmine, Aaron's daughter, is also a driving force for him as he sees how her life has been affected by his absence. Their reunion is bittersweet as Aaron tries to rebuild a relationship with his daughter that was cut short by his incarceration.

The legal case that Aaron is working on in this episode is a reflection of the larger societal ills that manifest in the criminal justice system. The young man he's defending, Rashard (Played by Alan Powell), is a promising student and athlete who is accused of a robbery he didn't commit. But the color of his skin and his background make him an easy target for the police who are quick to profile him and assume his guilt.

The episode tackles themes such as race, class, and privilege, and how they interact with the criminal justice system. It's a reminder that the fight for justice is ongoing and that there's still so much work that needs to be done to ensure that everyone is afforded their constitutionally guaranteed rights.

Overall, "Homecoming" packs an emotional punch that is sure to leave viewers reflecting on the state of our criminal justice system and the toll it takes on those who have been wronged by it. It's a poignant reminder that the fight for justice is never over, but it's a fight worth having.