Ep 1. Arise My Love, Shake Off This Dream

In the first episode of The Red Road season 1, entitled "Arise My Love, Shake Off This Dream," we are introduced to the small town of Walpole, New Jersey and its inhabitants. The town is home to two distinct communities - the white locals and the Native American tribe who live in the mountains nearby. The two communities have a complex and sometimes tense relationship, with a long history of conflict.

We meet Harold Jensen, a police officer and member of the local white community. Harold is a family man, trying to provide for his wife and two daughters. But he carries a heavy burden - his wife suffers from a mental illness and he is struggling to keep their family together. He is also haunted by a tragedy that occurred years ago, when his own brother was killed in a police shooting. The incident has left him with a deep sense of guilt and shame.

On the Native American side of things, we meet Phillip Kopus, a charming and charismatic young man who has just been released from prison. He returns to Walpole with his mother, Marie, who is the matriarch of their tribe. Marie is a strong, stubborn woman who is determined to protect her people from the encroachment of the outside world. She is also hiding a secret - one that could have serious consequences if it were to be revealed.

The episode opens with a tense scene between Harold and his wife, Jean, as they argue about their finances. It quickly becomes clear that Jean is not happy with her life, and is struggling with her illness. She lashes out at Harold, accusing him of not being able to provide for their family. It's a heartbreaking scene, made even more so by the fact that we can see the love that still exists between them.

Meanwhile, Phillip has returned to Walpole with a secret mission - he needs to retrieve a stash of drugs that he buried before he went to prison. He enlists the help of a local boy, Junior, who is eager to impress him. Together they sneak onto the mountain and unearth the drugs, but their plan is interrupted by a group of white hunters. There is a tense standoff, with both groups brandishing weapons, until Harold arrives on the scene and manages to defuse the situation.

The rest of the episode sets up the various conflicts and relationships that will drive the rest of the season. We see Harold's strained relationship with his father, who is a powerful figure in the town; we see Phillip's dangerous connection to a local drug lord; and we see the beginnings of a romance between Junior and Harold's daughter, Rachel.

Overall, "Arise My Love, Shake Off This Dream" is a solid opening to The Red Road. It does a good job of establishing the setting and characters, and leaves us wanting more. The tension between the white and Native American communities is palpable, and the central theme of guilt and redemption is compelling. With strong performances from the cast and a well-crafted script, this show has the potential to be a gripping drama.