Ep 2. Sell Yourself

In season 1 episode 2 of South Side, titled "Sell Yourself," viewers are brought back to the lives of diverse residents living in the south side of Chicago. Unlike the first episode, which focused on introducing main characters and the context of the show, episode 2 tackles themes of employment and the harsh reality of living in a low-income neighborhood.

The main plotline follows Officer Turner and Officer Goodnight, two police officers who find themselves in a sticky situation after accidentally breaking into someone's home. They contemplate how to proceed with the incident, while also dealing with their personal struggles at work. Turner is repeatedly demoted due to his tendency to give local residents a break, and Goodnight fights to maintain her reputation in the male-dominated police force. Meanwhile, Simon and Kareem, two of the show's other central characters, are seeking employment at a local electronics store, Best Buy-esque retailer, where they must compete with other applicants who are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job.

The episode also explores various subplots, like Q's struggle to find suitable work, which is made even more complicated by his criminal record. To make ends meet, he takes odd-job assignments from a company that takes advantage of its workers and their desperate need for work. Along similar lines, Officer Turner's cousin, Bowser, also faces employment problems. He's unhappy working at the fast-food restaurant where he's employed, but is unsure what his next steps should be.

Despite the bleakness of the job market, there are some moments of lightheartedness throughout the episode, like when Bernard and Sergeant Hill share their love for the game "UNO" during a break in duties. The use of humor throughout the episode provides a much-needed lift to an otherwise somber subject matter.

As the episode progresses, viewers see how the characters' various storylines intersect with one another. For example, when Simon and Kareem go to the police station to have their fingerprints taken for the Best Buy job, they run into Officer Turner, who is completing paperwork regarding their case. Despite the tension between Officer Turner and the two young men earlier in the episode, their interaction is fairly cordial, and it makes the viewer curious about whether their paths will cross again.

Overall, "Sell Yourself" offers a realistic portrayal of employment struggles in low-income communities, while also highlighting the resilience and determination of its characters. The show doesn't shy away from the hardships of life in this part of Chicago, but it also doesn't paint an entirely bleak picture. Rather, it offers a nuanced perspective, one that is both cautionary and hopeful. Fans of the first episode will appreciate the show's continued emphasis on authenticity and character development, which bodes well for the rest of the season.