Ridley Road Season 1 Episode 2 Episode 2
- October 3, 2021
- 56 min
-
6.9 (124)
In Ridley Road season 1 episode 2, we continue to follow the story of Vivien Epstein, a young Jewish woman who is trying to infiltrate a neo-Nazi group in 1960s London in order to discover their plans and protect her community.
Vivien begins to fully immerse herself in the group, attending their meetings and rallies, while also trying to keep up appearances with her boyfriend and Jewish friends. She quickly realizes the danger she is in when she witnesses the group violently attack a young man outside a pub. Vivien struggles with how far she should go in her undercover work, as the risks become greater.
Meanwhile, Vivien's love interest, Jack, grows increasingly suspicious of her activities and the two have a heated argument. Jack is also dealing with his own trauma from his time serving in the military and it becomes clear that his mental health is deteriorating.
In an attempt to build stronger ties with the neo-Nazi group, Vivien attends a weekend retreat with them and participates in their extreme initiation rituals. She becomes more entrenched in the group, but her double life becomes increasingly difficult to hide.
At the same time, a close friend of Vivien's family, Solly, is targeted by the group for his activism and things come to a head when a planned protest turns violent. Vivien is torn between her loyalty to her community and her commitment to her undercover work.
In episode 2, we see Vivien's inner conflict escalate as she struggles to balance her personal life and her dangerous work. The episode showcases the dark and disturbing reality of hatred and violence that was rampant in 1960s London and the courage of those who fought against it. It also delves deeper into the characters' personal lives and struggles, adding a layer of depth to the already tense and gripping storyline.
Overall, Ridley Road season 1 episode 2 is a captivating and powerful episode that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. The theme of identity and loyalty is explored as Vivien grapples with her place in both the Jewish and neo-Nazi communities. The acting is top-notch and the production design perfectly captures the era, immersing viewers in the world of 1960s London.