Ep 2. Night II

In When We Rise season 1 episode 2, titled "Night II," the series continues to follow members of the LGBTQ+ community as they fight for rights and equality in the United States.

The episode picks up where the previous one left off, with Cleve Jones (played by Guy Pearce) attending a candlelight vigil for Harvey Milk and George Moscone, both of whom were assassinated in 1978. The vigil quickly turns into a confrontation between the police and members of the LGBTQ+ community, resulting in violence and arrests.

Meanwhile, Ken Jones (played by Michael K. Williams) is struggling with his addiction to drugs and alcohol, while also grappling with his own sexual identity. He meets a man named Richard (played by Jason Stuart) who becomes a positive influence in his life and encourages him to seek help for his addiction.

In another storyline, Roma Guy (played by Emily Skeggs) and Diane Jones (played by Fiona Dourif) continue to navigate their relationship while also working together on a project to provide healthcare to women in the LGBTQ+ community. They face opposition from the medical establishment, who are resistant to treating gay women.

Throughout the episode, the characters face various obstacles and setbacks in their fight for equality. However, they also find moments of hope and inspiration in each other and in the larger LGBTQ+ movement.

As with the first episode, "Night II" is a powerful look at the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community in the 1970s and 80s. It continues to explore important issues such as police violence, addiction, and healthcare discrimination, while highlighting the resilience and courage of those fighting for change.