As Angela relives haunting memories of an attack on her family, she detains a mysterious man who claims responsibility for Tulsa’s most recent murder, while an original play is performed for an audience of one.

Following the murder at the end of Episode One, HBO’s continuation of the Watchmen saga gives us more of the background that brought the world to its current dystopian misery. The show within the show – American Hero Story – also serves as the most direct link back to the Moore/Gibbons original: a flashy TV show that’s front loaded with warnings about how offensive the content is.

But it’s still Regina King’s show all the way – she’s fantastic as both Angela and superhero Sister Knight – revealing a vulnerability when her home is raided, galvanising her to become the kickass vigilante that she has transformed into. Mentions of Dr Manhattan also are creeping in: we know he’s on Mars, but will he return to Earth to deal with the new conflict?

Already we’re being challenged about what we thought we knew – characters have skeletons in their closets, and we don’t know what’s true – but just what us going on with Adrian Veidt? Sitting in his country manor, watching a performance of his self-penned play, his staff appear to be clones, disposed of at his whim.

Verdict: Intriguing, addictive, violent and troubling, this is how the original comic book series was described, and the TV series continues the fine tradition. It’s not an easy watch, but it’s unmissable. 9/10

Nick Joy