Ep 37. Indian Summers, Season 2: Episode 1

In the season 2 premiere of Indian Summers, the year is 1935 and the British Raj is still in full force in India. The show kicks off with a lavish party at the Royal Simla Club, where the guests are all enjoying themselves and living the high life. But while the festivities are underway, tensions are simmering just below the surface.

The British officials in charge of Indian affairs are struggling to maintain their grip on control, as Indian nationalists demand more rights and a greater say in their own governance. The club serves as a focal point for these conflicting interests, with British officials meeting the Indian elite to discuss political affairs and try to maintain a sense of order – all while drinking, dancing, and enjoying the amenities of colonial privilege.

Against this backdrop, we follow the stories of several key characters. Aafrin Dalal, a young Indian clerk who works for the British government, is torn between his duty to his employers and his loyalty to his own people. He's also navigating a complicated romantic relationship with Alice Whelan, a British woman who is struggling with her own feelings about her place in India and her relationship with Aafrin.

Meanwhile, Cynthia Coffin, the scheming socialite who runs the Royal Simla Club, is up to her usual manipulative tricks, using blackmail and intimidation to keep people in line and protect her own interests. Her relationship with Ralph Whelan, Alice's brother and a high-ranking British official, is also fraught with tension, as the two of them navigate their tangled histories and their mutual desires.

As tensions continue to escalate between the British and Indian characters, with riots and protests threatening to boil over into full-blown revolution, it becomes clear that no one is safe. Loyalties will be tested, secrets will be revealed, and lives will be forever changed by the events of this pivotal season 2 premiere.

Fans of Indian Summers will be thrilled to see their favorite characters returning for another season of intrigue and drama, as the cast navigates the complex political and social landscape of pre-independence India. With gorgeous period details and stunning cinematography, this episode sets the stage for what promises to be a compelling and emotionally charged season of Masterpiece television.