The episode follows several intersecting storylines in 1990s Boston:
Just as coal becomes a diamond under extreme pressure, the poem suggests that Black people can transform their suffering and "total blackness" into something valuable and radiant—a "jewel in your open light". [S2E3] Is the Total Black, Being Spoken
Siobhan’s client, Kelvin Campbell, is released from custody. However, he remains haunted by the events that occurred on Valentine’s Day. The episode follows several intersecting storylines in 1990s
Jimmy Ryan finds himself facing problems that are significantly more dangerous than his own guilty conscience. Title Significance: " Coal " by Audre Lorde is released from custody. However
The episode title references the core metaphor of Lorde's 1968 poem:
Decourcy (Aldis Hodge) visits the Rohr household, attempting to manipulate Jackie's wife, Jenny, into providing information that could be used against her husband.