Ep 101. Killer Genes

After a wildly successful first season, Prodigal Son returns for its second season premiere in an episode titled "Killer Genes". The show follows troubled former FBI profiler Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) as he assists the NYPD in solving crimes and tracking down murderers. But what sets Malcolm apart from other detectives is his dark family history - his father, Dr. Martin Whitly (Michael Sheen), is a notorious serial killer known as "The Surgeon".

Season 2 picks up where the previous season left off, with Malcolm struggling to come to terms with the revelation that his mother, Jessica (Bellamy Young), was an accomplice to his father's crimes. "Killer Genes" sees Malcolm returning to work after a brief hiatus, but he's not the only one with family issues on his mind. When a DNA sequence from a new case leads to a possible link to "The Surgeon", Malcolm is forced to confront more than just his family's dark past.

As always, "Killer Genes" features an intriguing case of the week. A serial killer is on the loose, targeting couples in seemingly random attacks at various points around the city. The episode opens with a tense scene as a couple is attacked in their car, and the killer's M.O. soon becomes clear: he's targeting couples in love. But why? And how is he selecting his victims?

As Malcolm and the team delve deeper into the case, they begin to unravel a series of clues that lead them on a thrilling, twist-filled journey of discovery. We meet a number of new characters along the way, including FBI Agent Simon Hoxley (Alan Cumming), who has a complicated history with Malcolm's father. There's also a new forensic examiner, Dani (Aurora Perrineau), who has a surprising connection to the case.

But the heart of the episode lies in the complex family dynamics that have always been a driving force behind Prodigal Son. In "Killer Genes", we see Malcolm struggling to come to grips with his mother's involvement in his father's crimes, while Jessica tries to atone for past mistakes. Meanwhile, Martin is back in prison but still managing to cause chaos from behind bars. He's determined to prove to Malcolm that he's not the only one with dark impulses, and that he's capable of redemption.

There are plenty of emotional moments throughout "Killer Genes", including scenes between Malcolm and his father that are equal parts chilling and heart-wrenching. We also see Malcolm continuing to grapple with the aftermath of his traumatic experiences, from his father's crimes to his own near-death experiences. But there are also some surprisingly light moments, particularly between Malcolm and his colleague, Dani, whose dry humor adds a refreshing touch of levity to the episode.

Overall, "Killer Genes" is a fantastic start to Prodigal Son's second season. The show continues to balance its dark subject matter with well-written characters and compelling storytelling, and the premiere is filled with enough twists and turns to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. It's a gripping hour of television that sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting and emotionally charged second season.