Ep 1. New Money

In Kingdom season 2 episode 1, titled "New Money," we pick up where we left off at the end of season 1. The Kulina family is trying to rebuild their gym, Navy St., and Alvey (Frank Grillo) is struggling with the loss of his girlfriend, Lisa. Meanwhile, Ryan (Matt Lauria) is dealing with his addiction issues and trying to get back into fighting shape.

As we delve deeper into the episode, we see that Ryan is struggling to make amends with his family and girlfriend, knowing that he has let them down in the past. His brother, Nate (Nick Jonas), is trying to balance his new fame as a gay MMA fighter and the challenges that come with it. Lisa's death causes ripple effects throughout the whole community, and Alvey is hit particularly hard.

At the same time, new characters are introduced. Alicia (Natalie Martinez) is a businesswoman who approaches Alvey with an offer to invest in the gym, and Jay (Jonathan Tucker) is a former fighter who left the life behind to pursue his passion of painting. The arrival of these new characters adds a refreshing element to the show, and we get to see a different side to Alvey and his struggles as a business owner.

Throughout the episode, we see the characters dealing with their personal demons and trying to come to terms with their past mistakes. There is a lot of emotional depth to the episode, and the actors do a great job portraying the complexities of their characters. The addition of new characters also brings some interesting dynamics to the show, and it will be interesting to see how their storylines develop in the future.

From a technical standpoint, the episode is beautifully shot, and the choreography of the fight scenes is top-notch. The cinematography captures the gritty, raw atmosphere of the MMA world, and the use of music adds to the intensity of the fight scenes. The attention to detail in the production design also adds to the immersive experience of the episode, and you can tell that a lot of care and thought has been put into creating the world of the show.

Overall, the season 2 premiere of Kingdom is a strong start to the new season. The episode sets up the storylines for the rest of the season and introduces new characters who add a fresh perspective to the show. The emotional depth and technical excellence make for a compelling viewing experience, and it is clear that the showrunners have put a lot of thought and care into creating a show that stands out in the crowded TV landscape.