Ep 2. Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Wayne Hays (Mahershala Ali) is a troubled Vietnam War veteran and detective in the Arkansas State Police. In the second episode of season 3 titled "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye," Hays and his partner, Roland West (Stephen Dorff), continue their investigation into the disappearance of two children, Will and Julie Purcell, in the Ozarks region of Arkansas in 1980.

The episode opens with a news segment that informs the audience of the latest updates in the case. Hays and West are seen visiting the Purcell family to gather more information. Will's mother, who is still grieving, is unable to provide them with any concrete details. Hays and West then decide to visit the school that Will and Julie attended to speak with their teachers and classmates.

During their investigation, Hays and West stumble upon a group of teenagers who claim to have seen two kids fitting the description of the missing siblings playing by the roadside the night they disappeared. However, the teenagers are proven to be unreliable sources of information, and Hays and West are left with no new leads.

Meanwhile, in 2015, an older Hays is shown giving an interview to a true-crime documentary crew. He appears to be suffering from some form of memory loss, and the footage of his interview is interspersed with flashbacks of Hays and West in 1980. Hays mentions a detail that he had previously not discussed, which adds a new angle to the case.

The episode also delves deeper into the personal lives of Hays and West. Hays is shown struggling with his relationship with his wife, Amelia (Carmen Ejogo), and is visibly affected by his experiences in the Vietnam War. West, on the other hand, is portrayed as a macho cop who has a penchant for quick fixes.

The episode ends with Hays and West receiving a piece of evidence that could potentially lead them to Julie Purcell. The discovery is shocking, and Hays is shown visibly disturbed as he contemplates the implications of the new information.

Overall, "Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye" is a tense, character-driven episode that adds layers to the ongoing investigation. While the show primarily focuses on the case, it also places an emphasis on Hays and West's personal lives, making for a well-rounded viewing experience.