Ep 2. Fallen Angel

In Altered Carbon season 1 episode 2: Fallen Angel, we are introduced to a new character, Kristin Ortega, a determined and resourceful detective in Bay City who is investigating the murder of a wealthy businessman. The case leads her to cross paths with Takeshi Kovacs, the show's main protagonist, who has just woken up in a new body after over 250 years of being "on ice." Ortega suspects that Kovacs might be connected to the murder and uses her position in the Bay City police force to keep a close eye on him.

Meanwhile, Kovacs is struggling to come to terms with his new body and the world he finds himself in. He hires a doctor to perform some physical modifications that he thinks will help him cope, but the doctor warns him that such modifications are illegal and dangerous. Kovacs brushes off the warning and undergoes the procedures anyway, revealing glimpses of his reckless nature.

As the investigation unfolds, we learn more about the world that Altered Carbon is set in. Human consciousness can be digitized and stored in a "stack" that can be transferred between bodies, known as "sleeves." The rich have a seemingly endless supply of sleeves to choose from, while the poor are stuck with what they can afford. Ortega, who comes from a poorer background, has a strong vendetta against the rich and their disregard for human life.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to Kovacs' past as a rebel warrior fighting against the government's use of "sleeves" for immortality. These flashbacks give us a glimpse of the world outside of Bay City and show us a different side of Kovacs. We also learn more about Kovacs' partner, who died during a mission, and the tragic events that led to Kovacs' incarceration in a digital prison for over 250 years.

The episode builds to a climactic action scene as Ortega and Kovacs team up to take down the real culprit behind the businessman's murder. The scene is full of fight choreography and special effects showcasing the capabilities of the new bodies that humans can inhabit. The episode ends with Ortega growing suspicious of Kovacs and the mystery of the murder deepening.

Altered Carbon season 1 episode 2: Fallen Angel is a fantastic continuation of the series' exploration of themes such as immortality, classism, and the consequences of technology. The episode introduces a new character with Kristin Ortega, who serves as an antagonist to Kovacs while also bringing a fresh perspective to the show's world. The action scenes are thrilling to watch, and the flashbacks help to add more depth to Kovacs as a character. The episode sets up the rest of the season well, leaving the audience excited for what's to come.