Ep 1. Let the River Run

In the premiere of Castle Rock season 2, titled "Let the River Run," viewers are introduced to a new set of characters and a new mystery in the town of Castle Rock. The episode starts with a funeral, where we meet Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan), a nurse who has just lost her mother. Annie is in a state of distress, wrestling with her own demons and struggling to cope with her loss.

As Annie tries to move on from her mother's death, she decides to start a new life in Castle Rock with her teenage daughter, Joy (Elsie Fisher). They set out on a road trip with the intent of finding a new home, but their plans are derailed when their car breaks down in the middle of nowhere.

With no other options, Annie and Joy make their way to the nearby town of Castle Rock. There, they encounter a variety of strangely familiar characters, some of whom are eager to help them, while others are suspicious of their arrival.

As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to the story of a young couple, Reginald "Pop" Merrill (Tim Robbins) and his wife, Rita (Merrin Dungey), who run the local Emporium Galorium. Pop is in the midst of a power struggle with his nephew, John "Ace" Merrill (Paul Sparks), over control of the family business.

Meanwhile, we also meet Chance Gilbert (Abby Corrigan), a local girl who has gone missing. Her disappearance is shrouded in mystery, with no one quite sure what happened to her. As the town searches for Chance, Annie begins to uncover secrets of her own, and it becomes clear that there is something sinister lurking beneath the surface of Castle Rock.

The episode closes with the arrival of a character from Annie's past, who threatens to upend her new life in Castle Rock. As the mystery deepens and the tension continues to build, viewers are left wondering what exactly is going on in the seemingly idyllic town of Castle Rock, and what role Annie and her daughter will play in it all.

Overall, the premiere of Castle Rock season 2 is a tense and atmospheric episode that sets up a compelling new story in the world of Stephen King. With its strong performances, mysterious plot, and eerie setting, it's sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats and eager to see more.