Ep 2. Subtle Beast

In The Night Of season 1 episode 2, titled "Subtle Beast," we continue to follow the story of Nasir "Naz" Khan, a college student who is accused of murder after a night of partying in New York City.

The episode begins with Naz being processed in jail, where he meets his lawyer, Jack Stone (played by John Turturro). Stone is a down-on-his-luck attorney who is not entirely convinced of Naz's innocence but takes on the case regardless. Stone warns Naz to not speak to anyone else in jail, as anything he says could be used against him in court.

Meanwhile, Detective Box (played by Bill Camp), who is investigating the murder case, continues to track down leads, including interviewing Naz's family and friends. As he looks into Naz's background, he discovers some unexpected details that may point towards a motive for the murder.

Naz's family is also struggling to come to terms with the accusations against him. His mother is in disbelief that her son could have done something like this and continues to defend him. However, his father believes that Naz is guilty and is ashamed of him. Tensions rise between the family members as they try to navigate the legal process and come to terms with the possibility of Naz spending the rest of his life in prison.

As the episode progresses, we see Naz adjusting to life in prison and struggling to find his place among the other inmates. He also begins to experience vivid flashbacks from the night of the murder, but these memories are disjointed and incomplete. Stone encourages him to share what he remembers, but Naz is reluctant to do so, fearing that it will make him look more guilty.

Overall, "Subtle Beast" continues the slow-burning, character-driven storytelling of the first episode and sets up the ongoing mystery of who is truly responsible for the murder. The strong performances from the ensemble cast, particularly Riz Ahmed as Naz and John Turturro as Stone, add depth and nuance to the complex subject matter. This episode also explores themes of class, race, and the criminal justice system, making it a thought-provoking and engaging watch.