Episode two, directed by Eriq LaSalle, posits an opposing philosophy to Harmon’s more mindful policing approach. After a tense moment with a suspect, Diaz finds himself caught between these ideals.
Picking up the same evening where episode one ended, Diaz and Harmon respond to a street rave. Given new department policies, Harmon is instructed only to monitor the situation. However, reports of an officer attack push all responding units to intervene. As Diaz and Harmon purse through the crowd, they find one victim, with the assailant fighting with officers. Diaz breaks up the brawl, but the suspect gets the upper hand and flees.
Diaz’s instinct is to chase him, but Harmon stops him to aid the victim instead. The next day, Sergeant Lasman (LaSalle) questions Diaz’s decision to stand down. Lasman is not a fan of the new modern measures, citing they must maintain “order” against the city’s “chaos.” Sensing Diaz regrets the previous night’s events, Harmon takes him to the site of Delgado’s memorial. She reminds him one’s pride is not worth their life or that of those they’re sworn to protect.
Later, officers are called to a gruesome discovery at an unhoused encampment: a duct-taped severed head. Soon, the head is accompanied by the victim’s hand, confirming a homicide. Harmon suspects gang retaliation and wonders if the body is Maniac’s, Delgado’s killer. This investigation is paused as they respond to four youths pulled over with drugs. While three of them remain silent, a young woman tells Diaz that the gang East Barrio has gone underground since Delgado’s death, and no one knows Maniac’s whereabouts.
That evening, the duo responds to a shooting at a cookout where a young man was shot dead. Remembering Lasman’s words, Diaz attempts to bully a man at the scene. As the two standoff amid yellow tape, Diaz eventually falls back. Harmon praises Diaz for his restraint, telling him she hasn’t fired her weapon in 12 years. She encourages him he can do the job without compromising his integrity.
Back at the department, Harmon learns from Luietenat Bishop (Lori Loughlin) that the dismembered body is not Maniac, who remains on the loose. The episode closes with Lasman asking Diaz about Harmon threatening a suspect the day before.
Episode two is a strong entry in the series. The mechanic of only seeing other characters from Diaz or Harmon’s perspective is a nice touch that keeps the story grounded and intimate. Episode two also further defines our “protagonists” and “antagonists” of the series. While there are no actual villains, it’s clear that LaSalle’s Lasman is portrayed as a foil to Harmon’s upright stance. He represents an old guard of policing that has recently caught more ire from the public. It should be interesting to see how our rookie, Diaz, walks the line between these two opposing views.
Rating: 8/10