Ep 2. We Are Each Others Harvest

We Are Each Others Harvest, the second episode of The Red Line Season 1, revolves around the aftermath of the shooting at the train station. It focuses on the lives of the three families affected by the tragedy – the Delacroixs, the Evanses, and the Harrisons - and the ripple effect that it has on their relationships, personal beliefs, and choices.

The episode reintroduces Tia Young, a young African American police officer who was present at the scene of the shooting. Her emotions and beliefs about her job and the system are explored as she is caught between her duty and her own community. Her wife, Carolyn, attempts to help her by doing research on the Black Lives Matter movement, which leads to an eye-opening conversation about white privilege.

Meanwhile, Paul Evans, a white university professor, struggles to come to terms with the fact that his recently deceased husband – a black man – had an affair with another man. His daughter, Jira, shows support and love towards him, but is also dealing with her own identity crisis as a black and queer girl at a predominantly white school. Her conversation with her teacher, Liam Bhatt, about the nuances of her intersectionality, is one of the standout moments of the episode.

The Delacroixs – a black family who lost a family member in the shooting – are faced with a legal battle as the police department and the media attempt to paint their deceased son as a criminal. Their lawyer, Ethan, tries to help them navigate through the legal system and the media circus. However, their grief and anger are raw and palpable, as they are forced to fight for their son's legacy even in his death.

Tonya, the white mother of the shooter, struggles to accept the reality of what her son has done. Her husband, Daniel, tries to console her, but is also dealing with his own guilt and anger towards their son. Their scenes together are touching and emotional, as they try to move on from this tragedy and come to terms with their son's actions.

The episode also introduces a new character, Liam Bhatt – Jira's teacher – who becomes a potential love interest for Paul. Their interactions are intriguing and add a layer of complexity to Paul's character.

Overall, We Are Each Others Harvest is a powerful and emotional episode that showcases the different perspectives and struggles of the characters in the aftermath of the shooting. The writing is strong, tackling important issues such as racism, privilege, and grief, with nuance and sensitivity. The performances are also top-notch, with the actors delivering powerful and authentic portrayals of their characters. This episode continues to build upon the strong foundation established in the pilot and sets the stage for the rest of the season.