Poker Face season two is complete and utter chaos, but in the best of ways. After an already absurd and at times slightly unhinged season one, season two does not even pretend to be hinged anymore. The second season subverts expectations by changing the red thread storyline repeatedly throughout the season, and by playing with the format of the case of the week. At the same time, other cases of the week remain true to the tried-and-tested format. But all of it is coated in chaos. Overall, season two surpasses season one in its versatility and surprises.
All of this season is coated in chaos
At the end of season one, we saw Charlie get into another hot mess and go on the run again. While you might have expected season two to be a repetition of the first season, we quickly learn this is not the case. Without giving too much away, the second part of the season becomes much more of a spiritual journey for Charlie, than one of fleeing from mob hits. And she is aided in this journey by newly made friends, a voice on a radio, and an alligator.
The red thread storyline isn’t omnipresent this season, but is most certainly there. The season finale is as unhinged as the rest of the season, bordering absurdism. No, this season is not going to win any awards for realism, but that was never quite the intention anyways. A lie-detecting vagabond was never the most realistic of premises. Yet, some fans were a tad bit disappointed that some of the darker edges from last season have made place for comedy in this season. I’m all here for it, though.
It really helps that Rian Johnson is a great director, and he has enlisted the help of some other great directors. The shots are almost always perfect, the colors bright and present, and the music on point. Each episode feels like a tiny movie in the way it is shot and presented.
Let’s sum it up by saying that this season was one hell of a ride
These actors play their unhinged characters with flair in the diverse set of stories. Where the method of storytelling got a bit repetitive to some last season, this season mixes it up. Sometimes, the first act shows a bit more of the crime, sometimes a bit less. Sometimes, the three-act format is completely put on its head. Sometimes, the murder is not of a person, but of a gerbil (rest in peace, little Joseph). And sometimes, just sometimes, the murder suspect is an alligator on cocaine. Let’s just sum it up by saying that this season was one hell of a ride.
In short, a delightfully unhinged season two shows that the creators are able to put their tried-and-tested format on its head, while still making great television. An absolute recommendation if you are looking for some insanity on your TV; trust Charlie to call out all the bullshit.
The second season is available for streaming on SkyShowtime starting tomorrow, July 17th.
About the writer, Nienke de Boode
She started with watching NCIS, CSI and Bones, but over time her passion for TV shows has grown to what it is today, with dozens of shows that need to be watched. You can always wake her up for a good crime show, but she is also open to different things. Comedy and fantasy are on her list of favourites as well. Since October 2014, she also writes for MySeries to combine her love for TV shows and writing.
