Season 1 — Eps12east New York -

: Deputy Inspector Regina Haywood (Amanda Warren) faces a blast from her past when she realizes the owner of one of the robbed dispensaries, Jamal Hayes, was someone she personally arrested years prior under harsher drug laws. This dynamic highlights the show’s ongoing exploration of police reform, culminating in Haywood returning recovered money to Hayes in an effort to "make things right".

The twelfth episode of Season 1, titled " Up in Smoke ," originally aired on February 19, 2023. This episode serves as a significant turning point for several key characters, balancing high-stakes police work with brewing political tension and personal drama. Plot Summary: The Investigation Eps12East New York - Season 1

Critics and viewers have noted the episode's attempt to tackle "thorny territory" regarding New York's evolving drug laws and the history of the War on Drugs. While some reviewers praised its effort to show multiple sides of a difficult social issue, others criticized the narrative for what they perceived as "copaganda" or an overly idealistic portrayal of police-community reconciliation. East New York Season 1 Episode 12 Recap: Up in Smoke : Deputy Inspector Regina Haywood (Amanda Warren) faces