Ep 1. Episode 1

In Hinterland season 2 episode 1, viewers are introduced once again to DCI Tom Mathias, played by actor Richard Harrington, as he returns to the rural Welsh town he left behind, after going on leave for a year. Mathias has returned with scars, both physical and emotional, and while his backstory is still shrouded in mystery, it's clear that his past has affected him deeply.

The episode begins with a woman named Helen, played by Anamaria Marinca, being found dead on a river bank. She was last seen arguing with her husband a few nights prior, and the investigation into her death quickly becomes complicated, as Tom and his team begin to uncover secrets that have been long buried in the town.

One of the main themes of this episode is the tension between the old and new inhabitants of the town. Many of the people who have lived there for generations are suspicious and resentful of outsiders, while the newer residents, who have moved there for the peace and quiet, are often seen as interlopers. This tension is palpable throughout the episode, and gives the investigation a sense of urgency and danger.

As Tom and his team begin to investigate Helen's death, they quickly discover that the woman's husband, a local farmer named Geraint, played by Iwan Rheon, seems to be hiding something. Geraint is initially uncooperative with the investigation, and Mathias becomes convinced that he's hiding something. As the investigation deepens, the team discovers that Geraint has been cheating on his wife with an outsider named Cerys, played by Hannah Daniel, and that there may be other dark secrets hidden in the town, involving its troubled history and the relationships between its various inhabitants.

The cinematography in this episode is stunning, with the beautiful Welsh countryside serving as a backdrop to the brooding and atmospheric storyline. The dark, moody lighting and score add to the tension and unease of the investigation, and the acting is uniformly excellent, especially from Harrington and Marinca.

Overall, episode 1 of Hinterland season 2 is a gripping, atmospheric start to the season, with a tense and complex investigation that will keep viewers guessing until the very end. The themes of small-town tension and mistrust, as well as the weight of the past on present-day relationships, are explored thoughtfully and effectively, making for a compelling and satisfying watch.