East West 101 is an Australian crime drama television series produced and created by Steven Knapman and Kris Wyld and set around the Major Crime Squad in metropolitan Sydney, which is based upon the experiences of actual detectives in a crime unit in Sydney's western suburbs.
The series aired in Australia on SBS from 6 December, 2007 to 1 June, 2011. There are 20 hour-long episodes in three seasons.
East West 101 premiered in South Africa on DStv's Sony Entertainment Television (SONY) channel on Monday 6 June 2011, at 20h30. See "Seasons" below for seasonal broadcast dates and times.
Season 3 premiered on SONY on Thursday 13 October 2011, at 21h20. New episodes broadcast weekly. There are seven episodes in the third and final season.
Season 1
Zane Malik is a young detective at the Major Crime Squad. He is also a Muslim. And as a Muslim detective in a post 9/11 world where just to be an Arab, is to arouse suspicion and fear, Malik feels under pressure to prove himself, over and over.
Snr Detective Crowley was a detective of the old school, where rules and regulations layed a poor second to getting a result. Crowley is a man at odds with the times. Not just the times, Crowley's at odds with everything and everyone, even himself. If he's at war with anyone, it's Zane Malik.
Malik battles with Crowley across six hours as, from Lakemba to Chinatown, they investigate the murders and crimes of a big city.
East West 101 is the story of two men whose destiny is irrevocably intertwined. Malik is driven by a hunger for justice. He was twelve and at the till, when a masked gunman held up the family shop. Malik refused to hand over the money. His father was shot and injured. Since he joined the Force, Malik has been looking for the shadowy figure who pulled the trigger.
When he finally finds him, Malik's belief in the justice system is challenged by a powerful desire for revenge. As he hunts down the truth it is revealed that Crowley had a part to play in the original investigation.
But will Crowley help or hinder Malik in his quest? He is a man whose vision has been blighted by pain and prejudice.
Crowley's son, Paul, was found dead of a drug overdose sold to him by a Lebanese dealer. When the drug dealer, who sold Paul the heroin, is found murdered, Internal Affairs come asking questions. Looking for answers. Not just from Crowley. Malik also.
He was involved in the case. Crowley is at the mercy of Malik. Will Malik end his career? What will Crowley do to stop him?
There's an edge of danger as these two men circle one another. This might look like the battle between two strong men for dominance - but it is also a metaphor for the fear that exists between East and West - as two men search for love, approval and forgiveness.
Season 2
In Season Two, East West 101 expands to seven episodes as the Major Crime Squad investigate crime and murder in all quarters of multicultural Sydney.
But overarching all, is the quest for Detective Zane Malik to find the truth behind a car bomb attack which kills two men.
The Major Crime Squad form a joint task force with the NSO (National Security Organisation) to deal with the crime. There is paranoia in the city and fallout on the Muslim community.
Malik knows that in order to stop the circle of hate, he must solve the crime. Was the bomb really an act of extremists, as the media suggest, or a sophisticated killing by a career criminal?
Malik doggedly pursues the truth until he, too, becomes a target.
Inspector Patricia Wright questions his motives but her vision is clouded by personal issues she wants to remain hidden from the squad. Crime has touched her own family.
Season 3
Returning for the third season are the stars of the program, Don Hany, Susie Porter, Aaron Fa'aoso, Renee Lim, Daniella Farinacci and Tasneem Roc.
Inspector Wright struggles in the upcoming season with personal dilemmas and decisions that will shock you to the very core of your own moral fibre.
East West 101, created by Knapman Wyld Television for SBS, will return to screens for this third season, exploring the fallout from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan through crimes committed in Australia.
The third season presents the usual challenge, if not a greater one. The inspiration behind the scripts came from the war zones of Iraq and Afghanistan.
The season explores the universal truths of the experience of combat on men, as well as the collateral damage of innocent civilians that was the consequence of such supposed humanitarian intervention.
In this season Malik and Wright are placed under intense pressure. When a cop's personal life is directly affected by an act of crime, just how far will he or she go in pursuit of justice?
Seasons
Series exclusive to SONY
Season 1 (6 episodes)
Premiere: 6 June 2011 | Finale: 11 July 2011 | Mondays, 20h30
Season 2 (7 episodes)
Premiere: 25 August 2011 | Finale: 6 October 2011 | Thursdays, 21h25
Season 3 (7 episodes)
Premiere: 13 October 2011 | Finale: 24 November 2011 | Thursdays, 21h20