American Crime - Episode 3 - Advance Preview

Get ready for episode three of “American Crime” on ABC. I think this may have been my favorite episode yet of the racially-charged drama because we see some elements of hope this week. That was a nice addition to a very heavy show. Of course we’ll also see tension and fear. And we will learn more about the main characters and the people in their lives. These characters are starting to be more fleshed out and we’re starting to discover more of their backstories.

The relationships of the Gutierrez family and their ideas about race are explored more this week. Tony faces some trouble in juvenile detention. His sister Jenny comes to visit him, and we also see her making decisions in her own life which may be good or bad. She becomes a more central character this week. Both of the kids still harbor hostility toward their dad, who just wants the best for his children. But he also continues to espouse his divisive views about race, this time very publicly. His brother-in-law will confront him about some of those views. We will also find out what happened to the children’s mother. And Tony’s probation officer makes a decision about Tony’s future. Will Tony be going home? My favorite scene this week was one between the father and Jenny as she expresses a range of emotions to her dad. I continue to really enjoy this family and their story.

Barb remains a very tough and determined character who sets out to get what she wants – and she doesn’t care who is in her way. She is becoming more and more unlikable as she doesn’t seem to have nice words for anyone. But yet in a way you have to admire the tenacity with which she attacks what she wants. And Felicity Huffman continues to do a great job of portraying her. This week Barb pushes a lawyer to deem her son’s case a hate crime, spurred by racial motivations. The racial dialogue here continues to push boundaries and cross comfort lines. Barb also continues to clash with her ex-husband Russ over what to do with their son’s body, but he is willing to push back. He has to stand up to her if he’s going to get what he believes is right. But with her steely resolve, her dominant personality and her harsh ways, that might be harder than it looks. Can he rise to the challenge? In addition to fighting his ex-wife, Russ also has to get a job if he’s going to stay in Modesto. You feel his desperation as he looks for work. I continue to be impressed with the nuanced reality Timothy Hutton breathes into this character.

Gwen’s father also continues his search for truth about what happened to his daughter, but the intensity at which he moves bothers his wife. And someone knows more about what was going on with Gwen and her marriage than they originally let on.

As for Aubry and Carter, the biracial couple, we get to see someone in each of their lives reaching out to them. We find out who the mysterious man is whom Aubry called for help last week. He pays her a visit. And Carter receives a visitor in jail – his sister, played by Regina King, who joins the cast. King is a wonderful addition to the show. She gave a powerful performance as a Muslim convert who wants her brother to beg forgiveness for his actions before she helps him. She also doesn’t like her brother dating a white girl and offers some very provocative statements about race.

As for Hector, he is healing from his injury and eager to move on from surgery and medical treatments. But someone pushes him to “take advantage” of his time in medical care.

I enjoyed this episode and especially liked the ending. The focus on race continues to intrigue me. The writers do not shy away from controversial dialogue. In fact, they seek it out. The discourse is an important hallmark of the show and what it’s trying to accomplish.


How are you you enjoying "American Crime?" What are you looking forward to in episode three? Let us know in the comments below.

About the Author - Tonya Papanikolas

Tonya Papanikolas is an online, print and broadcast journalist who loves covering entertainment and television. She spent more than 10 years as a broadcast news anchor and reporter. Now she does everything from hosting to writing. She especially loves writing TV articles and reviews for SpoilerTV.