91 Days - Episode 2 (Review)

By RaeEpisode 2: Phantom of FalsehoodCatch my review of Episode 1 here!In my first review, I tried to avoid the non-obvious spoilers because 91 Days seems worth watching and I really wanted to at least inspire a few people to check it out. From here on out, be warned that there are going to be spoilers ahead.Late at night, Vanno and Tronco are transporting alcohol through the woods when they are ambushed by the Orco family. Tronco is killed, while Vanno manages to escape by clinging to the bottom of a car.Because of the cinematic opening in the first episode, this is our first look at the real opening of 91 Days, and it’s a good one. With fitting music and scenes of Avilio’s past and present, it definitely feels like a moody period drama will be unfolding. I was a little less in love with the ending, though it certainly is fitting for the story’s setting.We cut back to the story in the midst of a wedding. The groom is a member of the Galassia family, who effectively control Chicago, while the bride is Fio Vanetti. Vanno declares that it’s war against the Orco family now, but the conversation is cut short by the arrival of Avilio and Corteo, delivering Moonshine.The Vanetti brothers hatch a plan to take out Fango Orco, and ask Avilio to do the deed. Corteo is shocked by Avilio’s recklessness in taking up with the Vanetti family, so Avilio reveals the letter he received in episode 1 – a letter from someone claiming to be his father’s best friend, wanting to help him in his revenge plot.Avilio attempts to murder Fango at his mistress’s home, but Fango seems unphased and escapes across the rooftops of the city. What they do manage is to get ahold of Serpente, who killed Tronco. Vanno takes revenge for Tronco’s life, just before Avilio makes his own first kill.So far, 91 Days has been pretty impressive. Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, and while prohibition-era United States isn’t my favourite setting, the series has definitely drawn me in. Interestingly, episode 2 focuses more on drawing out the characters of the Vanetti family. Two episodes in, and we still know very little about our protagonist, except for his back story. What is really notable is that Avilio’s expression as he moves through his plot often seems fairly unhinged. If I weren’t for his seemingly deliberate attempt not to kill Fango’s mistress during the gunfight, I might be inclined to question who the true villain of the story is. Or maybe in this story there are no real villains – just a regrettable cycle of death.Whether you love this type of story or aren’t sure it’s your thing, I really do recommend checking out 91 Days this season. And while you’re waiting for episode 3, make sure to check out our coverage of other summer season series!91 Days airs on Crunchyroll at 2:30pm Fridays