‘Keeping Faith’ Recap: ‘Series 2, Episode 1’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series 2 Premiere of ‘Keeping Faith’.

When we are in the midst of a major crisis in our lives, we only think of the end of it. Because all we want, is to be free of the long nights and feelings of anxiety, especially the kind that come forth when we think upon how our lives might be like this forever. Which is why it is easy to overlook the day after our crisis comes to an end, since our minds are so preoccupied with panic and strife. But tomorrow, and brighter days, are often right around the corner and once the crisis ends and the next chapter begins… we have to quickly think about what comes next for us and what this disaster taught us and that is no easy task. But it is one we have to bravely tackle if we ever expect to find the peace we seek and really, this is relevant to our discussion today, simply because this is precisely what Faith Howells is dealing with in the series two premiere of Keeping Faith.
 
But it sure doesn’t seem like that’s going to be the case at first. For we pick up eighteen months after the events of the series one finale and well, this premiere surprises us by informing us, that Faith is actually doing quite well. For she’s back at work and taking on cases that have meaning this time around. Plus, she’s also raising her little ones just fine, and she even has managed to redeem Arthur Davis by employing him as her nanny, giving him stability at last. If anything, it really seems that Faith’s happily ever after has come to fruition and that we’ve actually missed out on the rebuilding segment since she is so at peace here and enjoying the incredible vindication that has come about for those who wronged her. Since Evan is in jail for his sloppy crimes and the sneaky DI Williams has been knocked down to street duty for letting her ego and her hunger for money get in the way of being a police officer.
 
But let’s be honest, sticking with that kind of happy ending would be an easy way out for this show, and an insult to the audience. Since we are here for the journey and the growth that we know Faith is capable of and thankfully, it doesn’t take long for this premiere to establish that while Faith is on the road to bliss and mental paradise, she still has some things to work on to understand what her future is going to look like, and the show informs us of what those tasks are going to be, by way two key plot elements. First and foremost, by pointing out the fact that she is going to have to overcome the pain she’s still carrying, thanks to Evan’s actions. Something she plans to accomplish, by facing her past and all the trauma that fateful week sent her way. Which is why we see her visit Evan in this tale, as part of her desire to find closure and to understand whether or not she’s even going to bother with him going forward.
 
As for the other element that will help to establish her future, well that came about by way of an unfortunate surprise. For a former client of the firm ends up dead in this tale and Faith is eager to defend the deceased’s wife, Madlen, when she is arrested for the murder of her husband. In part because she sees the parallels to her own situation and keeping her out of jail might heal Faith’s soul. But also because, this is her chance to take on a major case, the kind that will allow for her to really understand how good of a lawyer she really is, and if she has a shot at making the firm something more than what it once was, and it will be quite interesting to see how Faith handles this case in the weeks to come, and watch her heal and make peace with her soul and of course… resolve the last loose end from a year and a half ago.
 
For sadly, Gael Reardon is still around, and she still expects Faith to do her all the damn favors in order to be free from her debts to the Reardon family. Which is unfortunately, an agreement that appears to be inescapable at the moment and well, really, in the end, this premiere is nothing more than a grand set up tale. One that really does a wonderful job of re-establishing who is who in this fascinating universe, whilst taking the time to set up the events of the forthcoming season in an organic and smooth manner and well, either way… this reviewer is still hooked. Because these characters are rich and dynamic and seeing someone grow out of their pain and their past is always a compelling watch and now that we’ve established what series two is going to be about, the time has come to properly dig in and see what comes next, for Mrs. Faith Howells. Until next time.
 
Series 1 and 2 of ‘Keeping Faith’ are available to stream right now on AcornTV. Series 3 premieres on April 12, 2021.

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