'City on a Hill' Season 3 Episode 2 Review: Engrossing chapter sheds light on Decourcy Ward's arc
Chuck Berry's 'You Can Never Tell' aptly describes the future of Kevin Bacon's Jackie Rohr and Aldis Hodge's Decoucry Ward as it plays in the backdrop. 'City on a Hill' Season 3 has all been about each character fighting their own internal battles and that sets the groundwork for the remainder of the season. Episode 2 'A Program of Complete Disorder' sees Ward get some perspective about his job as a failing DA of Boston. In Season 1, he was the man from Brookly who was supposedly Boston's Messiah, but all he could do was watch wine turn to blood. He had his wins, but he just didn't get the TKO he wanted.
Like the season opener, Episode 2 continues to put more depth into each character's arcs, with more focus on Ward, after he loses his father, Franklin (Ernie Hudson) to pancreatic cancer. The stoic Ward Sr unfortunately succumbs, but not before some parting words of wisdom that will influence Ward's choices for the rest of the season. Adding to those pearls is a startling, yet true statement from Rohrwho tells him that he was no different from the ex-FBI man. Deep down, Ward knows it's true, but whether he accepts it is the question the season may answer.
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Every other major player on the show gets some screentime as well. Jenny Rohr (Jill Hennessy) shows her raw emotion when she socks her father in the face (well, that's one thing father Diarmuid Doyle did right). Her previous season's struggle over her father reaches the hilt in the episode as she not just gives it to her father, but also shows that she was far from done with her battles. As for Doyle, he's not exactly been priesthood material and the 90s crime drama shows how he's had his share of weaknesses. Siobhan Quays (Lauren E Banks) is dealing with post-shooting trauma and is in need of medical help, but that's probably given more light as the show goes on.
'City on a Hill' hasn't strayed from what's worked successfully for it. There's a bit of predictability every season, but in the end, it's always how it's showcased that has the audiences in rapt attention. Even in Season 3, there's a possibility of Rohr's return to the force after realizing that the Drydens are a bunch of criminals. Ward might probably embrace the bit of darkness and slyness that a DA sometimes is forced to compromise on. The strained relationships are surely going to be covered — but it's also about how it comes to fruition.
For now, the engaging ride continues.
'City on a Hill' Season 3 airs Sunday nights at 10 pm on Showtime.