Summary
An action-packed premiere proves that Warrior hasn’t lost a single step in its time off the air.
This recap of the Max series Warrior Season 3 Episode 1, “Exactly the Wrong Time to Get Proud”, contains spoilers.
Warrior might have moved from Cinemax to the newly rebranded Max, but little about it has changed.
The opening scene of the premiere, “Exactly the Wrong Time to Get Proud”, is basically a mission statement. It’s an insanely well-choreographed brawl between the rival Tongs still fighting for turf in San Francisco’s Chinatown, which, following the riots that capped off Warrior Season 2, is an increasingly dangerous place.
Warrior Season 3 Episode 1 Recap
Following the riots, acting mayor Buckley is basing his entire re-election campaign on getting rid of the Chinese population. Draconian ordinances are strangling Chinese businesses. The police, still led by Bill, who is struggling to control them now their racism has been emboldened by state-sanctioned prejudicial measures, have an increased presence in the area, which would threaten the Tongs even if they weren’t continuing to fight each other over turf.
Of course, though, they are still fighting each other. Mai Ling has a deal with Buckley and is treating it as an excuse to aggressively expand the Long Zii, especially since Young Jun’s inexperience, temper, and simmering resentment for Ah Sahm are making him obviously incapable of leading the Hop Wei as his father did.
How is Mai Ling expanding the Long Zii?
The Long Zii are also expanding their ranks by assimilating other Tongs, including one run by Kong Pak (an always welcome Mark Dacascos). But the bulk of Mai Ling’s focus is outside of Chinatown. She begins to meet with moneyed white women – against the advice of Li Yong – so that she can ingratiate herself in their circles and ultimately go into business with their husbands.
Mai Ling’s efforts to play what is essentially a character befitting the racist expectations of these women speak to the show’s overall messaging about whether the quintessential American dream is available to all, or only those with the right skin colour and accent. She has been successful thus far because of her willingness to compromise and demean herself, while the Hop Wei languish behind because of a steadfast refusal not to kowtow to their oppressors.
How does Leary secure jobs for the Irish?
Leary’s in a similar predicament. His ineffectual position on the city council isn’t securing Irish workers jobs, most of which have been taken by Chinese labour that’ll work for next to nothing and not make a fuss about it. He wants to be a legitimate voice for his people, but nobody takes him seriously because they can’t see him as anything other than a thug.
So, that’s what he leans into, beating reduced timber prices out of a supplier so that the margins can accommodate Irish wages. However, it’s a Band-Aid over a gaping wound, and it isn’t a long-term solution for the exploitation of the working class.
Warrior Season 3 Episode 1 Ending Explained
How does the Hop Wei hope to compete? Young Jun is trying to squeeze protection money out of businesses that can’t afford it, and the fighting over turf is only attracting more and more police presence.
The solution comes in the form of Chao. While selling rusty guns to some unsavoury types he spots a pile of cash in an adjoining room and suggests to the Hop Wei that stealing it might be a solution to their present cashflow problems. When they get there, though, there’s no money at all.
There is, however, something better – a counterfeiting press so that they can print their own. Now the Hop Wei have gone from no money to a virtually infinite amount.
What could possibly go wrong?
You can stream Warrior Season 3 Episode 1, “Exactly the Wrong Time to Get Proud”, exclusively on Max.
