[SPOILERS to s2 finale and s2 in general]
The first season of the show was so good; it is both impressive in that the first season of any show is very rarely its best, and, it's perilous for the follow-up seasons as they stretch to reach this very high standard.
Season 2 did not, unfortunately, reach it. It was still a decent watch, and I still want to see what happens to these ladies, but it was just not as compelling as s1.The resolution to some mysteries (what happened to Shauna's wilderness baby?) didn't quite satisfy. And the new mysteries didn't command my curiosity the same way.
What made s2 watchable, though, was it let its actors flourish. My affection for Melanie Lynskey, Christina Ricci and Juliette Lewis, not to mention the entire younger cast, has grown. Sophie Thatcher is a standout from the 96 timeline, she's fantastic. Sarah Desjardins as Callie is now also putting some major points on the board.
Warren Kole. In a sea of powerhouse women, he's given us some of the same level of LOL moments previously provided by Ms'z Ricci and Lewis, and he's also become perhaps my favourite TV husband and father already. (He has a dad's rock the f out playlist on Spotify btw, which is such excellent marketing.) Shauna's electric knife hands dream. Giving Callie some context of what her mom went through in the wilderness. A+ job, Mr Kole. (None of this could be done without Melanie Lynskey, of course - her underspoken Shauna in situations super fucked up is always also A+.)
So, my initial No! was aimed at the death of Natalie in the current timeline. I didn't want Nat to die, mostly because I don't want Juliette Lewis to leave. SHE IS TOO GOOD. Her and Christina Ricci together was 24k gold.
S2 certainly was not devoid of good writing: the tragedy of Javi, and how the drawer of the queen card keeps surviving for example (anxiety as our favourite characters draw the card, anguish as we see who has to die in their place). Everything Misty, from then and now. (though I can't tell how much Christina Ricci and Samantha Hanratty might be elevating the words, to be honest; they're both so good). This stuff - this is what we like. Give us this stuff in s3, and continue to allow your cast to ball the f out. Yellowjackets, you can still make it to nationals!
--
Post script: I don't know how much this song would cost, but if I was Jeff I'd be rocking the f out to Burden in my Hand by Soundgarden. I mean, the chorus is perfect. Would love to see Warren Kole steering wheel drum that first chorus.
No comments:
Post a Comment