Drama

John Ridley and cast talk American Crime Season 2: Who’s back? Who’s new?

When American Crime executive producers John Ridley and Michael McDonald joined the Season 2 cast of their brilliant ABC anthology series at the Television Critics Association winter press tour yesterday, they shared a common message. All were fully intent on honoring the remarkable merits of Season 1 and its characters — three Golden Globe nominations, an Emmy win (Regina King’s supporting actress nod) and nine other Emmy noms among them — while embracing a new story, new characters and a fresh opportunity to send another powerful social message. Season 2, which premiered Wednesday, examines the fallout of a possible sexual assault (captured, of course, […]

Drama

American Crime season finale recap; and, where does the show go from here in Season 2?

Wow. Still kind of processing the American Crime season finale, as well as the entire first season as a whole. I feel like I would upon completing a first read of a good novel, thinking back upon the entire experience, as well as the individual elements that stuck out. First, let’s look at Season 1’s final “chapter,” Episode 11. Recently, at a screening event for the season finale, costar Timothy Hutton said of the final episode and the first season: “I think hopefully what [the audience] take away from it is that they’ve watched 11 chapters of a really amazing story that comes […]

Drama

American Crime Episode 10 recap

American Crime Episode 10 featured a number of role reversals among characters, from some leaving jail and others going (back) in, to Barb and Russ almost switching places, in a way. The episode began with Hector (Richard Cabral) back in jail and being awakened in his cell, clearly at some wee hour of the night/morning. Not even able to get fully dressed, a tired Hector is brought before a detective who had taken his statement about Carter and what happened the night of Matt and Gwen’s attack. The detective keeps coming back to the gun that Hector assured him was […]

Drama

American Crime Episode 9 recap

There were some stunning developments on American Crime Episode 9. Biggest of all, Aubry (Caitlin Gerard) ended up confessing that she was the one who shot Matt and Gwen. But given her track record, can she be believed? There was also a surprisingly tender (for them, I guess) moment between Barb (Felicity Huffman) and Russ (Timothy Hutton). Before we got to that point, though, we met up again with the main characters in the wake of the march for Carter that turned chaotic, and violent. Images of the protest were shown, and probably couldn’t help calling to mind yet another […]

Drama

American Crime Episode 8 recap

In American Crime Episode 8, a rally for Carter (Elvis Nolasco) turned chaotic, and Barb (Felicity Huffman) perhaps began the steps toward some sort of self-awareness. As the episode opened, Carter was being interviewed by a TV reporter about the upcoming rally/march that his sister Aliyah (Regina King) was organizing for him, to be held the next day. The reporter tried to lead Carter with some ratings-driven, controversial questions, implying that Aliyah is bringing in “outside agitators” to start violence. Carter gets up and leaves the interview, telling the reporter, “This isn’t working for me.” That sentiment from the reporter […]

No Picture
Drama

American Crime Episode 7 recap

The opening of American Crime Episode 7 juxtaposes the current fates of Hector (Richard Cabral) and Carter (Elvis Nolasco), the latter of whom we barely saw in last week’s episode. Now we see what is going on with him. Hector is moved into a more secure facility, as per his request for a deal in exchange for info on Carter last week. There, he has an individual cell, and is actually allowed outside for exercise. We then flash to Carter, who is shivering in a cramped, dim basement of sorts. We find out later in the episode that Carter is […]

No Picture
Drama

American Crime Episode 6 recap

Even as horrible events continue in reality, such as the police shooting of Walter Scott in South Carolina this week, American Crime continues its gritty reflection of our reality. Looking at Twitter comments the past few weeks during AC episodes, I’ve noticed a theme among some viewers that are similar to what I have been feeling: American Crime, in its storylines, themes and presentation, can be so realistic that it is almost hard to watch. When you hear and read about, and look at, events such as the Scott killing, do you really want to watch a show that reflects a similar reality, or would […]

No Picture
Drama

American Crime Episode 5 recap

The bad decisions continue for Aubry (Caitlin Gerard) and Carter (Elvis Nolasco), and Mark (David Hoflin) drops another bombshell in American Crime Episode 5. The episode opens with Russ (Timothy Hutton) and Mark entering Matt’s home (the police tape has been cut; it’s unclear if they did it or someone else). Russ is overwhelmed upon seeing the scene of the crime, everything suspended in time — a rotten meal still sits at a table, and blood is splattered on the walls. Mark asks if Russ wants to leave, but he continues on their quest. They check in a closet and pull out […]

No Picture
Drama

American Crime Episode 4 recap

Gwen started awakening from her coma, and other main characters faced awakenings of their own, in American Crime Episode 4. The hour started with us watching Aliyah (Regina King) in her temple, listening to the preacher talk about inequality, and charging his congregation to go out in the world and achieve greatness. Aliyah follows through on this, and on her promise to Carter (Elvis Nolasco) last week that she would help him by getting him a lawyer who works for a cause. This lawyer is Brother Timothy (Cedric Duplechain), who meets with Carter and Aliyah. Timothy explains to Carter how […]

Drama

American Crime Episode 3 recap

In American Crime Episode 3, a little progress on the case at hand developed, but we mainly learned further backstories among most of the characters. Family played an especially important role in the episode, as we got to meet Aubry’s stepfather, Carter’s sister and Alonzo’s brother-in-law. The episode opens with Alonzo (Benito Martinez), for all intents and purposes, alone in the house. Although Jenny (Gleendylis Inoa) is there, she ignores her father’s attempts to speak to her. We can tell that tension hangs heavy in the Gutierrez household in the wake of Jenny exploding at her father in last week’s episode, […]