In the premiere of Nocturne, a new crime drama on Apple TV, we met all the players and learned about the ongoing mystery.
In the second episode, “For Such a Time as This,” we dive deeper into the people and the world. The second of the two-episode premiere sets the table for everything that’s coming. Let’s dive in.
A flashback
We drop back three years earlier. Jurek Walter (Stephen Graham) is just a citizen under suspicion. Jonah (Liev Schreiber) is present for his interview along with his partner, Sam (Gabe Fazio). They know that Walter has done bad things. They also suspect he’s responsible for the recent disappearance of Michael and Felicia Frost. But he’s not giving them anything. Instead, he knows the right trigger to push to rile up Sam. Sam snaps and tries to assault Walter before Jonah can pull him off.
Back in the present, Jonah is trying to question Michael. He doesn’t remember much, and he’s still got a lot of recovery to go through. But he mentions a name, Becky, and he seems to indicate she was there with them all. That triggers something for Jonah. Becky was the name of Sam’s wife, who had gone missing and who they thought might be working with Walter. This seems to confirm that and a possible theory. It’s also bad news for Saga (Zazie Beetz) as it casts some darkness over the past and her father.
Despite that turn, she is committed to getting involved and getting to the truth of what happened. And she has a unique suggestion.
An investigation
Meanwhile, at Riverside, there is an investigation. The officials know someone is helping Walter get messages out of the facility. Jonah is interviewing those who used to work at Riverside and learning that Walter has this ability to make friends. He made people feel comfortable and got them to reveal things about themselves. It was a way of reading people and pushing them to do things for him. That seems to be the case with Sally Gifford, who has gone missing.
Jonah tracks Sally down to her house and makes entry. What he finds is a place in disarray. It looks like something happened and someone disappeared in a hurry. Sally and her family have gone missing, and he can’t help but think it’s all connected.
Meanwhile, back at Riverside, the focus is on clamping down on anyone who might be helping Walter. With the heat on, Karl (Rory Culkin) is concerned about being found out and losing his job, or worse. So, he shares with Walter he can’t pass messages anymore. Walter assures him they are still friends. He has his own plan.
As he eats dinner, Walter makes a ball too big to swallow that chokes him. Watching on the camera, they see him struggling. Karl rushes to help, as does Gary (Scott Martin). They manage to dislodge the food, but it is really a chance for Walter to help. He slips a note into Gary’s pocket. When the search happens at the end of the day, it looks like Gary is the one helping Walter. He’s suspended despite his protests. Karl knows it was Walter who let him know that was his way of protecting his friend.
A new assignment
Saga has a gift for undercover work. She is able to get other people to execute a mission. And she sees an opportunity to use that skill in this case. She pitches an undercover assignment at Riverside to Agent Quinn (Poorna Jagannathan). Quinn is intrigued but has questions about whether Saga is right for the job. But with time running short, she agrees.
Jonah is also concerned about Saga taking on the assignment. He knows how dangerous Walter can be, and he’s worried about her being alone in a dangerous place. But she asks him to be part of the team to get her ready. And Jonah agrees. He, Quinn, and Nathan (Gary Carr) head into seclusion to get her ready. They are keeping the circle small. They get her prepped, and it’s time.
Saga enters Riverside as a patient. She goes through the intake, and she’s in. It’s a chance to get close to Walter and monitor the staff. But it’s clear by the end that it won’t be an easy assignment.
This was another strong entry in this new series. I like the Nocturne cast, and I like how it’s all being put together in this series. Graham is great in this role as the quiet and cunning monster. He’s delivering an epic performance, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Nocturne streams Fridays on Apple TV. Check back next week as we recap all the action of the season right here.
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