Ep 2. Episode 2

Set in post-WWII London, Small Island is an adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name by Andrea Levy. In season 1 episode 2, tensions rise as the Windrush Generation struggles to settle into their new lives in England.

The episode begins with Hortense, a Jamaican schoolteacher, arriving at her new home in England. Initially excited to finally reunite with her husband Gilbert, she is disappointed when he does not show up at the train station. After an uncomfortable encounter with her new landlady, Queenie, Hortense learns that Gilbert has been delayed and decides to explore London on her own.

Meanwhile, Gilbert is working long hours at a factory and struggling to adjust to his new surroundings. He feels isolated and frustrated, struggling to find work and constantly reminded of his status as an outsider. He finally manages to make some friends with other Jamaicans, but their camaraderie is cut short when they are brutally attacked by a group of white men.

Back at the house, Queenie is dealing with her own problems. Her husband, Bernard, has returned from the war a changed man and she is struggling to connect with him. Her feelings of loneliness are compounded by the arrival of Jamaicans in her home, which she sees as a disruption to her already fragile relationship with Bernard.

As the episode progresses, the characters' stories begin to intertwine. Gilbert and Hortense finally reunite, but their joy is short-lived as they struggle to find a sense of belonging in England. Queenie begins to warm to her new lodgers, but her attempts to connect with them are complicated by her husband's racist attitudes.

Throughout the episode, Small Island grapples with issues of identity, displacement, and racism. The characters are all struggling to find their place in a country that is often hostile to their presence. While some find solace in their community, others remain isolated and misunderstood.

Overall, season 1 episode 2 of Small Island is a poignant and powerful exploration of the Windrush Generation's experiences in post-war Britain. The characters are richly drawn and their struggles feel all too real. As the series continues, it will be interesting to see how they navigate the challenges of their new lives and find a sense of home in an often hostile environment.