The Night Of Season 1 Episode 2 Review: Subtle Beast

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You're all still clinging to the edge of your seats, right?

The drama continued on The Night Of Season 1 Episode 2 with very little fanfare. That's what is making this series so credible. So many times, when we are privy to a character being hauled in, held and later arrested, it's sort of glossed over. Not this time.

I can only assume at this point of the series Naz is running on sleeplessness and adrenaline, because he has yet to crack. Surely that's coming.

Legal Advice - The Night Of

The many different angles from which we're seeing this investigation are fascinating. While what we see of Naz and what affects him is certainly the most disturbing at this moment, Jack finds himself in a different place than he normally operates, and we can feel how he sees himself and how others see him as a result.

Even Det. Box, who is supposed to be the very best, the "subtle beast," for how easily he can slip into and out of character, cajoling a suspect into speaking with him when it would be far better for them to keep to themselves, doesn't have the perfect read on Naz.

Not only is that throwing him just a bit, but appears to be doing the same to Helen Weiss, who I guess is the prosecuting attorney. It would be lovely if IMDB had mention of her name. Alas. She sure seemed the part, so I'll roll with it.

There is so much to appreciate about The Night Of. The stark reality of the situations are what hit me the most. 

We see so much of this played out in our entertainment every single day. A suspect is arrested, arraigned and taken off to wherever. They're usually playing a smartass, throwing whip-smart dialogue at those who handcuffing them, or acting tough in the suspect line. 

But what about people like us? Normal people in horrific circumstances. Those of us who have never been arrested, cannot possibly imagine ever killing someone, but find themselves blacked out one night because of who knows what and BOOM. Your life is never the same.

It could be drunk driving when you didn't think you were drunk. You could have been roofied and have no proof. Whatever. Surely it happens. And what really stood out to me were the words Jack said to Naz.

The truth doesn't help you, and if you can't get that through your head, you can forget about the rest of your life.

Jack

The truth really doesn't mean anything. Because nobody was there but you. It's all evidence based. If your side cannot get evidence to support the truth, a truth they don't even want to know because it can tarnish their understanding of the case (talk about confusing), you're going to prison.

That's what Naz is facing, and the way it's unfolding feels very unsettling. 

Box really is the perfect detective. The way he and Klein set up a little charade to get Naz's parents to think Box was a good guy was very effective. He knows just what buttons to push and when to push them. Until he goes too far too fast.

Naz is trying to smarten up a little bit, but it's only been one night. How can any one person be expected to go from naive family kid to a system savvy young man in mere hours? And the sad thing is it's those very hours that can mean the most to a case. 

Can you imagine if Jack hadn't stepped in and taken the case? Naz would have been talking for hours. He probably would have caved into Box's suggestive questioning just to get him to shut up. 

As it stood, Naz knew Box shouldn't have been talking to him without Jack present, but it didn't stop Box.

He gave Naz his inhaler (Was it the same one from the bed? How terrible of a mistake on Naz's part was accepting that?)  He even sat down next to him, trying to get as close as possible. He tried the "let me help you" line and then he screwed up. He too quickly assumes he has the read on the kid.

When he started talking about others who have talked to him of all religious beliefs and "the immense sense of relief when they finally just let go and tell someone the truth. It's like finding God," it was obvious he had gone too far. Naz isn't stupid. He's scared and alone. That's a big difference.

But still, Box had to try, because he saw Naz talking to his parents, and in the brief time they talked in English, he believed the kid when he said he didn't do it. That was apparent when Box spoke to the DA.

Jack, meanwhile, is scratching his feet up and down Manhattan. Ewwww. He appears to have a good rapport with everyone. Even the bail court judge seemed pleased for him to get the case, even if he didn't toss him a bone regarding bail. He has a lot of support, but it comes by way of surprise. He's likely bitten off more than he can chew, but he doesn't underestimate those around him. That has to help.

The judge also appeared to think kindly upon Naz. Too bad it didn't matter.

The viciousness of the crime. That's going to come back to haunt Naz again and again. It was repeated at the beginning of the episode – the knife game. What, really, does that have to do with the murder? Did Naz get so messed up on drugs that the appeal of the knife game whacked out his mind?

Did Andrea beg for it (more of the game, not her own murder? Was Naz under some type of hypnosis because of the drugs? By his account, his mind had never been tarnished before. Did Naz have a mean streak that was itching to be scratched?

I wonder if we'll ever know for sure what happened or whether we will know only through the evidence and the court case, the same as everyone else.

We did learn Andrea's house belonged to her mother, who died the previous year of cancer. Andrea may have been living off of an inheritance. Perhaps she was depressed due to her mother's death. Were the pills in her bedroom leftover from her mother or were they hers? Maybe the murderer was looking for her mother. 

If that was the case? Talk about bad timing.

Naz is on his way to Rikers now. I'm sure the intake process will be even more rough than what he witnessed in county jail, which was...gross. This is happening in such a short time frame. Can you imagine going from an innocent crime-free citizen to undergoing what Naz is undergoing? Can you? I can't. Really.

His family has been brought into it. His parent's laptop probably held their business records. Gone along with who knows what else. In an instant, everything changed. 

What do you think? Can Jack handle this case? Can a guy who advertises on a subway train be that good? How are Naz's parents going to feel about this initiation into all things American? What about Naz? Did he do it? Does it matter? Can he help prove he didn't? 

Chat with me! I cannot wait to see what's next. How about you?

Subtle Beast Review

Editor Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
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Rating: 4.3 / 5.0 (8 Votes)

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.

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The Night Of Season 1 Episode 2 Quotes

Then again a knife wielding, heavy breathing sex brute is not a pretty picture.

Jack

Naz: You keep saying story, like I'm making it up. I want to tell you the truth.
Jack: You really, really don't. I don't want to be stuck with the truth. Not until I have to be.
Naz: But you need to know what happened.
Jack: I NEED to be flexible.