'City on a Hill' Season 3 Episode 1: Who is Ernie Hudson's Franklin Ward?
Contains spoilers for 'City on a Hill' Season 3 Episode 1 'Gods and Monsters'
'City on a Hill' Season 3 introduces a string of new characters in Episode 1 'Gods and Monsters' and one of them was 'Grace and Frankie' star Ernie Hudson who plays Franklin Ward. The hit Showtime drama adds more depth to Decourcy Ward's (Aldis Hodge) character arc by bringing his brother and father into the picture.
The latest episode sees Decourcy get an opportunity for a big promotion after his boss, Guy Dan (John Doman) plans to run for Attorney General. His slot is something Decourcy is offered, only if he proves himself. Much to his chagrin, he's paired with newbie ADA from Chicago Blair Chavez (Erica Camarano) to repair a broken criminal justice system. However, a spanner in the works in the form of his father's illness requires him to rush to Brooklyn. Upon arrival, he realizes that his father Franklin has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and is dying.
Despite Decourcy and his brother, Louie's (Charles Brice) appeals to see a doctor, Franklin decides to accept his fate while also declaring his faith openly that only the Lord could heal him. While the story reads cliche, it does add to Decourcy's many troubles that lie ahead in the season. The series opener also sheds enough light on his relationship with his wife Siobhan Quays (Lauren E Banks). The latter is now with the ACLU after the traumatic events of Season 2 where she lost her child.
Although she appears to be her tough self and takes on the case against Big Dig, Boston's biggest construction company, she does feel the past still clinging to her. Quays also experiences Boston's corruption first-hand when she represents a construction worker who is severely injured on the site. With her arc surely seeing her run into trouble, the focus will surely fall on Decourcy to manage her issues as well. While it does seem premature to draw conclusions as to how things may end for Franklin and Siobhan, what we can speculate is how their respective crisis can be a handful on Decourcy who has enough to deal with already.
Only time will tell how it pans out for the Wards and Quay.
'City on a Hill' Season 3 airs every Sunday at 10 pm ET on Showtime.