Ep 1. Louder Than Worlds

As the second season of Boss kicks off, viewers are reintroduced to the show's central figure, Chicago Mayor Tom Kane, who is played brilliantly by Kelsey Grammer. The first episode of season two is titled "Louder Than Words," and it does not disappoint in terms of both drama and production value.

The episode opens with a shot of the mayor's office on the 5th floor of Chicago's city hall, where Kane is busy at work. As soon as we're reintroduced to him, it's clear that Kane is not doing well. He's sweating profusely, struggling to breathe, and his hands are shaking uncontrollably. It's a jarring moment, as we've never seen Kane so vulnerable before. He's always been the tough, indestructible figurehead of the city, but something is clearly wrong here.

The rest of the episode is a race against time as Kane grapples with his deteriorating health and tries to keep up appearances at the same time. He's in the midst of a contentious re-election campaign against a rival candidate who is gaining ground quickly, and he knows that if he shows any signs of weakness, he'll lose the election. Kane's chief of staff, Ezra Stone (Martin Donovan), recognizes the urgency of the situation and sets out to find a doctor who can diagnose Kane and find a cure, all while keeping the situation under wraps.

One of the things that makes this episode so compelling is the way it's shot. The camera work is subtle yet effective, with sweeping panoramic shots of the city and tight, intimate close-ups of Kane's face. The use of shadows and light is also noteworthy, with Kane often shrouded in darkness to reflect his internal struggle while the rest of the city is illuminated by bright, artificial lights. It's a visual metaphor that drives home the show's central themes of power, corruption, and loss of control.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that Kane is suffering from a serious neurological disorder that is causing his symptoms. To make matters worse, the treatments for this disorder are experimental, dangerous, and not yet approved by the FDA. This puts Kane in a difficult position: does he go ahead with the treatments and risk his own life, or does he take a step back from politics and focus on his health?

This tension is heightened by the fact that Kane is not the only one struggling with secrets. His daughter, Emma (Hannah Ware), is still recovering from her struggles with addiction and trying to salvage her relationship with her father. She's also dealing with the fallout from her affair with Kane's former campaign manager, who is now in jail. In one particularly powerful scene, Emma confronts her father about his own secrets and the toll they've taken on their family. It's a moment of vulnerability and raw emotion that showcases the depth of the show's characters.

Overall, "Louder Than Words" serves as a strong start to the second season of Boss. It's a tense, dramatic, and visually stunning episode that sets up the rest of the season nicely. Grammer's performance as Kane is as compelling as ever, and the supporting cast delivers strong performances across the board. The show's themes of power and corruption continue to resonate, and the heightened sense of urgency in this episode adds an extra layer of complexity. Fans of the show will not be disappointed, and newcomers may find themselves quickly drawn into the world of Chicago politics and power struggles.