Following the Tokyo Vice season 2 premiere, which provided closure to many lingering questions from season 1, episode 2, titled “Be My Number One,” picks up the narrative several months later, presenting a landscape where the central characters are grappling with newfound roles and shifting dynamics.
Jake finds himself immersed in a fresh journalistic endeavor, steering away from yakuza-related stories as advised by Katagiri. When presented with the opportunity to pursue either a motorcycle theft or a murder story with yakuza connections, Jake opts for the former, signaling his commitment to exploring alternative avenues in his reporting. However, Katagiri’s cryptic remarks regarding Tozawa’s disappearance linger, hinting at the persistent specter of the yakuza in Jake’s world.
Meanwhile, Samantha’s Club Polina thrives under her management, yet internal strife emerges with Claudine’s betrayal. Samantha’s decision to confront Claudine and subsequently terminate her employment underscores her determination to maintain control, even in the face of threats from the Chihara-kai. The repercussions of Claudine’s departure reverberate throughout the club, highlighting the delicate balance of power within Tokyo’s underworld.
Sato finds himself navigating a new hierarchy within the Chihara-kai, as Hayama’s return from prison reshapes the organization’s leadership structure. Despite Sato’s reservations about Hayama’s aggressive tactics, he is tasked with a special project that tests his loyalty and moral compass. As Sato grapples with conflicting loyalties and ethical dilemmas, his actions foreshadow the inevitability of violence and betrayal in his world.
The episode also introduces a new strategy in the fight against the yakuza, spearheaded by Ngata’s task force within the police department. Katagiri’s reluctant involvement in this initiative underscores the escalating tension between law enforcement and organized crime, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation.
Amidst these developments, the characters are inexorably drawn back into the orbit of their pasts, despite their efforts to forge new paths. Eimi’s commitment to her journalistic duties clashes with her personal desires, while Sato’s acquisition of a firearm symbolizes his acceptance of the violent undercurrents of his world. Samantha’s reconciliation of her dual roles as boss and hostess reflects the precarious balance between ambition and survival in Tokyo’s nightlife.
Ultimately, the episode culminates in a moment of reckoning for Jake and Misaki, as their impulsive decision to embrace their forbidden attraction threatens to entangle them further in the perilous web of the yakuza. As the characters confront the consequences of their choices, “Be My Number One” serves as a poignant reminder that in Tokyo’s underworld, the past is never truly buried, and old habits die hard.
