Ep 2. Strawberry Fields

Informer season 1 episode 2, titled "Strawberry Fields," continues the narrative of the British mini-series thriller as the audience follows the characters' intertwining storylines. The show picks up after the intense climax of episode one, where Raza Shar (Nabhaan Rizwan), one of the main characters, finds himself in the crosshairs of the counter-terrorism police unit Gaba/CTIU, who want him to serve as an informant.

The episode begins with Raza's refusal to become an informant, putting him in danger as he risks being charged with his drug-related crimes. Meanwhile, Gabe Waters (Paddy Considine), the counter-terrorism officer leading the investigation, is assigned a new mission: to investigate a drug ring that has been funneling money to terrorists. Gabe is given a lead that this drug cartel operates from a fruit and vegetable warehouse, named "Strawberry Fields." With the help of Holly Morten (Bel Powley), a young and ambitious officer, Gabe starts digging deep into the case, hoping to identify the mysterious kingpin behind the operation.

In a concurrent storyline, Raza is struggling to cope with his life as a wanted drug dealer, his family's financial problems, and the pressure from the police. His relationship with his girlfriend, Sal (Marli Siu), is also on the rocks. She is angry at Raza for keeping her in the dark about his criminal activities and the risks involved in it. Sal is even more furious with him for getting involved with the police. Raza is forced to sell more drugs to pay off his own debts and his family's financial strain. But when he witnesses a violent act of his drug supplier - threatened of his life - he finally agrees to work with the police. He calls Gabe and makes a deal with him to provide information in exchange for protection from the police and his gangster boss, Nasir (Koran Singh).

As the investigation at Strawberry Fields deepens, Gabe discovers a name that he thinks might be the mastermind of the drug cartel. This leads him to a new suspect, Yousef (Arsher Ali), a local businessman who seems to have ties to the terrorists. Holly discreetly tails Yousef and takes pictures of him meeting with a group of suspicious individuals. Holly's findings take the case in a new direction, linking it to the UK's involvement in the war in Afghanistan. However, as Holly presents her evidence to Gabe, their argument proves that not everybody trusts each other in CTIU. Holly's priorities seem to be compromised for the mission, and Gabe fears for the dangers in the case and Holly's safety.

As Raza tries to come to terms with his deal with the police, Sal discovers that he has been lying to her about his whereabouts. This leads to a heated argument between the two, and Sal walks out on him. Sal's departure raises questions about Raza's decision-making abilities, his trustworthiness, and his motivations. Although he's been faced with significant stress, he seems to be going back on his word by selling more drugs than ever before.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Gabe and Holly's relationship put to a test. A tense and dramatic scene takes place as the investigation leads to a possible terrorist attack, which exposes internal conflicts within CTIU and puts Holly's life in danger. Throughout the episode, viewers are left intrigued to see how the characters in the show will follow their interconnected paths and how they will manage to navigate through the dangerous and complex world of terrorism, crime, and loyalty.

In conclusion, the second episode of Informer's first season gives audiences a deeper insight into the personal lives of the characters, providing a real sense of understanding as to what is at stake for each one of them. The humor and tragedy of their daily lives contrast with the highly dramatic moments of the investigation, making for a compelling and captivating viewing experience. It's an episode that perfectly sets the groundwork for the rest of the season, leaving viewers wanting more.