Ep 1. After The Winter

After the Winter, the first episode of Queen Sugar's second season, takes a nuanced look at the conflicts and challenges facing the Bordelon family as they struggle to keep their sugarcane farm afloat in the face of mounting debt and internal strife.

Following the season one finale, the episode opens with a reflective, slow-paced montage of the family coping with the aftermath of the explosive finale, in which Charley (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) discovered that her husband Davis (Timon Kyle Durrett) had been cheating on her, leading to a public scandal that rocked the family and threatened their livelihoods.

As the Bordelons try to regroup and move forward, they are confronted with a host of new obstacles and tensions. Charley, who has taken on a more active role in running the farm since moving to Louisiana from Los Angeles, must navigate the challenges of working with her estranged husband, who is still determined to make amends and regain her trust. Meanwhile, her relationship with her sister Nova (Rutina Wesley) is strained by their differing approaches to activism and advocacy; Nova is a journalist and community organizer who is frustrated with Charley's focus on the farm and her seeming reluctance to engage with larger social issues.

In addition to these interpersonal conflicts, the Bordelons are also grappling with the financial pressures that are threatening to force them to sell the farm. They are approached by a local businessman, Samuel Landry (David Jensen), who offers to buy their land and help them out of their debts, but whose motives and intentions are unclear.

At the heart of the episode is a sense of uncertainty and unease, as the Bordelons struggle to balance their competing priorities and desires. Charley is torn between her obligations to her family and her desire for independence, while Nova confronts the limits of her own influence and the consequences of her outspokenness. Meanwhile, their brother Ralph Angel (Kofi Siriboe) is facing his own challenges, as he struggles to come to terms with the fact that he may lose custody of his son Blue (Ethan Hutchison) after a mistake from his past comes to light.

Despite these tensions, however, the episode also offers moments of hope and resilience. The family comes together to support one another, even as they argue and debate, and there are glimpses of the resilience and determination that have kept them going through the toughest of times.

Overall, After the Winter sets the stage for a season of Queen Sugar that promises to be just as complex, nuanced, and emotionally resonant as its first. With its powerful performances, richly drawn characters, and thoughtful exploration of contemporary issues, this is a show that rewards close attention and emotional investment, and promises to continue to captivate and challenge its viewers.