THE NIGHT OF, Episode 3: A DARK CRATE has the plot thickening. John Stone lays his legal fee down; $50,000. It's negotiated down from $75,000 The Khan's can't afford it. Meanwhile, Naz is fully processed at Rikers Island, and the audience is introduced to influential (even among the guards) inmate Freddie Knight (Michael Kenneth Williams) who likes schtupping an attractive female prison guard in exchange for drugs. And, then there's the DA Helen Weiss (Jeannie Berlin) who, with all the evidence mounting against Khan, is going to have a cakewalk of a trial.
On top of all this, Naz's father, Salim, and the taxi's two other co-owners, Tariq (Mohammad Bakri) and Yusuf (Nabil Elouahabi) can't get back to work, because the taxi is still impounded. The only option to get it out would be to file Grand Theft charges against his son.
The plot thickens when another attorney-- a powerhouse attorney, Alison Crowe (Glenne Headley) is very intrigued by all of the media attention of the case, offers to take it pro bono. Crowe uses an employee, Chandra Kapoor (Amara Karan) and discredits John Stone to attract the Khan's interest, and it works. This leaves Stone out in the cold.
Aside from the basic, sort of standard plot line, it's the compelling characters that make this story work. The two things this show has going for it; well acted, believable characters and the cinematography is eerie, and yet beatifically shot. The camera gives the audience's eyes time to take in every shot. It isn't just rapid fire scene change--- shot, shot, shot, shot--scene change-- done. I really like that it doesn't rush.
Likewise, the each episode builds the character development; backgrounds, quirks, likes/dislikes, and humor. None of these characters are paper thin, especially character actor John Turturro. He's, at least so far, the stand out.
Also, the Islamophobia, which becomes increasingly more prevalent as the story goes on, adds to the somewhat annoying realism of the world they live in. After all of the BS in the 2016 Presidential Election it's a little tasking to see in a TV show, but it does aide the realistic story line. This is also why Freddie Knight takes a liking to Naz. The other "Muslim" inmates aren't real. They're opportunistic. Naz is natural born, which according to Knight makes Naz a celebrity. As a result Knight offers him protection. Refusal, which Naz does, brings complications.
I really liked this episode. The show doesn't rush. It doesn't throw drama, intrigue, and action at you rapid fire. It just lets it flow like a stream. It's definitely worth the time.