The first season of this show was mostly pretty funny, and I remember it only being weaker when it needed to do something with the overall narrative. Despite this, it was almost three years before I got around to going back to the second season (in which time it has been renewed several times!). Mostly this was my reservation about the show being funny in the moment but not brilliant as a total package, but also the feeling that it had nothing to do now that the mole-woman thread had been played out. In a way this is sort of true, so what the show decides to do is focus very much on the moments and not so much worry about the bigger threads.
So, as a narrative, there is movement forward but it is done in different character threads, and in broad ways, but without the presence of one big direction or plot. This gives the show a bit less structure but funnily enough it means it can play to what it did best in its first season, which is to deliver funny sub-plots and moments. The writing makes it work, with great lines and ideas kicking around. The cast help it greatly with plenty of talent in the main cast of course, but also a parade of talented and funny famous faces doing cameos and characters. This aspects feels a bit like cheating, but the guests are well used, so hard to complain.
Season 2 is better than the first season, as it seems to know that it is stronger in the moment that in the development. Playing to this produces plenty of laughs, but at the same time makes it feel less of a 'proper' show - which is a shame because there is a lot of good ideas and moments in here; certainly enough for me to return for the third season faster than the years between one and two.
So, as a narrative, there is movement forward but it is done in different character threads, and in broad ways, but without the presence of one big direction or plot. This gives the show a bit less structure but funnily enough it means it can play to what it did best in its first season, which is to deliver funny sub-plots and moments. The writing makes it work, with great lines and ideas kicking around. The cast help it greatly with plenty of talent in the main cast of course, but also a parade of talented and funny famous faces doing cameos and characters. This aspects feels a bit like cheating, but the guests are well used, so hard to complain.
Season 2 is better than the first season, as it seems to know that it is stronger in the moment that in the development. Playing to this produces plenty of laughs, but at the same time makes it feel less of a 'proper' show - which is a shame because there is a lot of good ideas and moments in here; certainly enough for me to return for the third season faster than the years between one and two.