Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review

After the events ofProdigal Son Season 1 Episode 20, Like Father, we were left with a lot of unanswered questions, and the Season 2 premiere, Prodigal Son Season 2 Episode 1, Its All In The Execution, does satisfy with some answers, while opening up for many more questions!

As far as first looks for characters, very few do it as well as Malcolm Bright. In his classic wit, love of risk and a stylish suit, we meet Malcolm on a building ledge, speaking casually to a murderer. Some time has passed, and hes back assisting Major Crimes with their cases, although he does seem more manic than usual.

Malcolms exposition, in the opening scene, does reimagine what we normally see in a season recap. Instead of only flashbacks, Malcolm monologues what happened last season as he is charming the killer by his side.

Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
PRODIGAL SON: L-R: Michael Sheen and Tom Payne ©2020 Fox Media LLC Cr: Phil Caruso/FOX

This works wonderfully because once Malcolm finished the exposition, the story jumps right in with the action of the team catching a criminal.

Tom Paynes performance on this episode is very controlled in how out of control Malcolm is feeling. As seen in Season 1, Malcolm is clean cut on the outside covering his inner turmoil.

With the events of Season 1, that clean-cut exterior is cracking, and Payne perfectly portrays how that cracking exterior is seen by others and covered up by Malcolm.

Prodigal Son is fictional but has one foot in reality. The foot in a fictional world seems to be in a post-COVID world with the mention of the virus and quarantine, but no masks.

Related Prodigal Son Review: The Killabustas (Season 2 Episode 9)

Another point to reality in the episode was in reference to the racial tension and police violence. It seemed inevitable that this is mentioned with the entire team (apart from Malcolm) being people of color working within law enforcement.

Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
PRODIGAL SON: L-R: Lou Diamond Phillips and Frank Harts ©2020 Fox Media LLC Cr: Phil Caruso/FOX

Dani makes a remark to police violence at the beginning to Malcolm, but it all comes to a head near the end of the episode when JT gets into some trouble. Upon chasing down this weeks bad guy JT calls for backup to make the arrest but is immediately profiled and assaulted by the police who come to help.

Despite him identifying himself as an officer and offering to show his badge, the backup officers dont ease up until Dani and Malcolm come rushing down to help.

With JT in trouble, Dani has trouble comforting him on her own. This makes the perfect time for Gils entrance back into the precinct.

Lou Diamond Phillips doesnt have an upfront role in this episode as Gil is recovering from surgery, but in the scenes where he interacts with the others, he reinforces his role as the father figure, not only for Malcolm but for Dani and JT as well.

Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
PRODIGAL SON: L-R: Lou Diamond Phillips and Frank Harts ©2020 Fox Media LLC Cr: Phil Caruso/FOX

When Gil returns, he promises Dani and JT that he understands the fear they have and assures them hell have their backs no matter what. The real underlying theme of the episode is relying on people.

Related TV News Wrap-Up: George Clooney Producing 'Buck Rogers,' WWE to Peacock, 'The Blacklist' Renewed

As much as Malcolm may not want to admit it, he relies on someone as well, his father. With Martin back in his comfortable cell and a killer on the loose in New York, Malcolm goes to him for advice. As we have seen in the past with Martin, any room is enough room for him to worm his way in.

Michael Sheens performance on this episode is fantastically unhinged. He creates an entire arc for Martin in a single episode beginning with him being at wits end in the general population, ending with his revelations about Malcolm.

The idea that Malcolm took responsibility for Ainsley with Nicholas Endicott at the end of Season 1 out of brotherly affection is obviously true, and seeing Ainsley and Malcolm together makes that very clear. However, Martin paints a clear picture of the rush he used to get with his victims and how he suspects Malcolm felt that same rush.

Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
PRODIGAL SON: Tom Payne ©2020 Fox Media LLC Cr: Phil Caruso/FOX

The entire premise of the show is based on the idea of Malcolm being afraid to be too much like his father, and that is driven home when Malcolm is confronted with the idea that he may be more like Martin than hed be willing to admit.

The only thing that is missing from this episode is more of Dani and JT and the normal chemistry and banter the two of them have, not only with each other but with Malcolm as well.

Related Harlem Season 1 Review: Five Star Show that Feels Like Real Friendship

Season 1 got that team into a rhythm of having a fun banter between them as coworkers, despite the dark content of the show.

I cant wait to see what the remainder of the season brings and where we will find our characters moving forward from here.

What did you think of this episode of Prodigal Son? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

User Rating:

Prodigal Son airs Tuesday at 8/7c on Fox.

Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
Follow us on Twitter and on
Prodigal Son Episode 1 Review
Instagram!

Want more fromTell-Tale TV?Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Tell-Tale TVs Top 30 TV Shows of 2020

Share on social media:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)

Carly Herriges

Carly Herriges is a writer from Tucson, Arizona. She got her degree in Journalism and Creative Writing at Falmouth University in Cornwall, England.