Ep 2. School of Hard Knox

In Wiseguy season 2 episode 2 titled "School of Hard Knox," Vinnie Terranova, an undercover agent working for the Organized Crime Bureau, takes on the role of a new recruit in a high-security prison. His task is to uncover a corrupt prison officer who is involved in drug trafficking and extortion, and who has links to the Mafia.

Vinnie finds himself locked up in a cell with Knox Pooley, a tough and unpredictable inmate who has a reputation for causing trouble. Despite their initial friction, Knox and Vinnie gradually become friends, and Vinnie uses their newfound alliance to gather information on the corrupt officer.

As Vinnie delves deeper into the workings of the prison, he discovers that the corrupt officer is not the only criminal element behind bars. A group of inmates is running a highly profitable drug operation, and they are willing to go to extreme lengths to protect their business. Vinnie must navigate through this dangerous environment while keeping his cover intact and avoiding suspicion from both the prisoners and the staff.

Meanwhile, Vinnie's handler, Frank McPike, is struggling with personal issues that threaten to compromise his ability to supervise Vinnie's mission. Frank's marriage is falling apart, and he finds himself turning to alcohol to cope with the stress. As Vinnie's situation becomes more precarious, Frank's judgment becomes increasingly impaired, and he risks jeopardizing not only Vinnie's safety but also the entire mission.

"School of Hard Knox" is a gritty and intense episode that showcases the challenges of undercover work in a high-stakes environment. The prison setting adds an extra layer of tension and danger, as Vinnie must constantly watch his back and be on guard against any threats. The storyline is well-developed, with plenty of twists and turns to keep viewers engaged, and the performances of the cast are strong, particularly Ken Wahl as Vinnie and Jonathan Banks as Knox Pooley.

Overall, "School of Hard Knox" is a standout episode of Wiseguy that epitomizes the show's ability to blend crime drama with character-driven storytelling. It's a must-see for fans of the series and for anyone who enjoys high-quality crime television.