American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez episode 2: We’re not in Bristol anymore (Recap and review)

American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez episode 2: We're not in Bristol anymore  (Recap and review)

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of gaming under my belt and a deep appreciation for well-crafted narratives, I must say that “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” has certainly piqued my interest. The second episode, “Consequences, With Extreme Prejudice,” was as gripping as the first, with its raw portrayal of the complexities and dangers of college sports culture.


The second episode of “American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez” unfolded, titled “Consequences, With Extreme Prejudice,” and it didn’t hold back on intensifying the struggles for the ex-NFL player. No longer in Bristol, Connecticut, but now in Gainesville, the sudden shift was as heavy as a ton of bricks for Aaron. How does he cope? More challenging than anticipated. However, before we delve deeper, let me provide you with a single, crucial spoiler alert.

heads up! if you haven’t watched the first two episodes of American Sports Story, there may be spoilers ahead. consider streaming them on Hulu before proceeding with this text.

Following the premiere of “Sports Story”, I had expressed some concerns about wanting a deeper look into Aaron’s strained relationship with his father Dennis. However, it wasn’t until episode 2 that I recognized my true interest lay in the “sports” aspect of the series. And oh boy, did episode 2 deliver! We witnessed the absence of repercussions for college athletes and how money and influence shape their priorities.

Coach Urban Meyer (Tony Yazbeck) perceives promise in Aaron (Josh AndrĂ©s Rivera), yet his discernment seems clouded. Meyer’s focus on financial rewards obscures his view of Aaron as a potential risk. To put it simply, Aaron appears to be a time bomb waiting to explode, and Coach Meyer is overlooking this fact. It’s not that Aaron lacks the will to stay clear of trouble; he just isn’t managing it well. Aaron tends to associate with questionable groups and is easily swayed by those influencing him negatively.

One night out with his team at a bar, Aaron decides not to pay for his drinks since his new acquaintances suggested it, using the phrase “Ballers don’t pay.” However, this leads to a brawl, but Huntley Johnson (Jeffrey Nordling), Aaron’s new attorney, intervenes and prevents any charges from being filed. Later on, Meyer, the coach, invites Aaron to dinner at his house where he meets Meyer’s family. As the evening progresses, Meyer subtly reveals his concerns about Aaron, mentioning his troubled father, Dennis, and expressing a desire for Aaron to avoid the same fate. Despite initially disliking these remarks about his dad, the motivational talk eventually resonates with Aaron, who is accustomed to viewing harsh words as a form of “tough love.

In our next session, I’m exactly as Meyer instructed: I’m ruling the field. I show my value during games and practices, but my victories are cut short when I get into trouble once more. With pressure mounting, Coach Meyer considers letting some players go, but he decides to keep me instead, benching me for a single game – the first one of the upcoming season. Frankly, I might not be well-versed in football, but even I can tell that this is barely a warning.

In the second episode, I found myself deeply moved by Aaron’s journey as he grapples with his sexuality. He takes a bold step online, connecting with someone who intrigued him. However, their encounter doesn’t go as planned. The fear of being seen gnaws at Aaron, and in an instant, he leaps out of the man’s car when he suspects someone has spotted him. This paranoia is palpable, making his struggle all the more real and relatable.

Following a two-part debut, a new episode will air every week on Tuesday evenings at 9 PM Eastern Time on FX. You can catch up on these episodes by streaming them the next day on Hulu.

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2024-09-18 18:28

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