Ep 1. Reckoning

In the first episode of the 41st season of Frontline titled "Reckoning," the documentary series tackles the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the subsequent racial reckoning that took place across America. The hour-long program explores the deeply ingrained structural racism and systemic issues that led to the murder, as well as the activism and calls for reform that emerged from the tragedy.

Through interviews with activists, politicians, law enforcement officials, and members of the Floyd family, the episode delves into the events that unfolded on May 25, 2020, when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on Floyd’s neck for nearly nine minutes, ultimately killing the unarmed Black man. The program examines the disturbing evidence from the body camera footage and the multiple bystander’s videos, as well as the nation's response to the tragedy from protests to calls to defund the police.

The episode explores the historical context that led to such a heinous act of violence against Black people and traces the legacy of racism in American historical symbols, such as confederate statues and racist policing practices. The show also examines the challenges and dangers of being a Black American and the consequences they endure due to racial profiling, such as being stopped and frisked by police, incarcerated at much higher rates than white people, and being killed at an astonishingly higher rate.

Frontline then covers the trial of George Floyd’s murderer, Derek Chauvin, and how his defense was built around a long-standing police culture of cover-ups and obfuscation. The episode hears from lawyers and commentators about Why it was so challenging to prosecute police for excessive brutality on the job and how the current police union system is a major barrier to holding officers accountable.

Throughout the episode, the series also highlights the bravery of individuals and groups who have been fighting for change. From the founders of the Black Lives Matter movement to Minneapolis city councilors who spearheaded the effort to defund the city’s police department, the program focuses on the people who have been working tirelessly to address the systemic racism within the United States. It shines a light on their struggles, battles, and successes.

Overall, "Reckoning" is a powerful and thought-provoking look at the long and complicated history of Black Americans’ struggle for justice and equality in the country, in the hope of making a real difference by creating structural change. It raises the essential question of how America, as a society, can move forward, acknowledging, and actively working to rectify the tragic racist past of its foundational roots. It is a must-watch for anyone who wants to understand the issues of systemic racism and the fight against injustice in America today.