Episode 2 of "Parish," entitled "Blood in the Water," dives us into the murkier depths of the world Gray has inadvertently stepped into. Tortured by haunting flashbacks, Gray discovers himself saddled with a lifeless corpse in the confines of his workplace, accompanied by the perpetually unreliable Colin. Their desperate scramble to eliminate the incriminating evidence is further entangled by the unexpected arrival of Z, whose lingering suspicions cast an ominous shadow over their endeavors.
Meanwhile, tensions escalate between The Horse and Zenzo. Zenzo's reckless act of murdering the lawyer in Gray's garage draws disapproving murmurs from The Horse, highlighting the fragile equilibrium within the gang. The efficacy of their "baba's" tactics is questioned, hinting at simmering internal conflicts.
As Gray and Colin grapple with disposing of the body, a startling revelation unfolds: the Zimbabwean gangsters are entangled in not just robberies, but the repugnant trade of human trafficking. This grim reality adds a layer of moral intricacy to Gray's already tumultuous situation.
Further complications arise when Colin's parole officer demands a meeting, forcing them to temporarily sever their alliance. Gray conceals the body in a freezer at his residence, only to be confronted by detectives probing the robbery. His prowess in maintaining a composed demeanor is severely tested.
The episode also delves into The Horse's ruthless business tactics. We witness him and Shamiso bullying a white businessman, using stolen passports belonging to the businessman's employees as leverage to coerce a partnership. The racial undertones at play suggest a brewing potential for retaliation, adding another layer of complexity to the narrative.
Later on, Gray and Colin find themselves at an abandoned amusement park, with the grim task of disposing of a body weighing heavily on their minds. Here, the lingering tensions between them resurface, as Gray's fury towards Colin's reckless behavior reaches a boiling point. Their arduous struggle to extricate the car from the mud stirs up memories of their past collaboration, offering a vivid insight into their complex dynamics.
Meanwhile, back at their home, Rose, blissfully unaware of Gray's dark deeds, stumbles upon a concealed gun, a hint of the widening rift between them. The episode concludes with moments that are both shocking and enigmatic. The Horse, having been warned about Gray's unstable state following his son's tragic demise, extends him an olive branch, inviting him to stay on and become a part of their "family." Gray, seemingly moved by respect, accepts the offer.
However, as they drive The Horse and his son Luke back home, they are suddenly ambushed by a heavily armed convoy. Faced with a life-or-death dilemma, Gray pleads with The Horse to allow him to escort Luke to safety. The Horse, agreeing to his plea, finds himself engaged in a fierce battle for survival. Yet, the ambiguity surrounding his fate leaves much to the imagination.
Who could the attackers be? The businessman whom The Horse had threatened, or those who had been affected by the stolen passports, both emerge as plausible suspects. However, the possibility that Zenzo might have orchestrated the attack as a power play cannot be discounted. "Blood in the Water" masterfully crafts a tale of suspense, delving deeper into the moral complexities surrounding Gray's predicament. The episode concludes on a cliffhanger, promising even more twists and turns in the upcoming chapters of this gripping narrative.
