Bloodline season 2 (w/season 1 spoilers)
Daniel Curtis
Not sure how many of y'all were able to get into this show. The first season definitely had a 'best show that nobody watches' feeling to it. I mean it seems almost impossible not to have access to Netflix anymore...whether you pay for it or piggyback off of someone else's account. And if neither of those options work for you it's probably easier than I can even imagine to find good downloadable copies of Netflix only programming. Beyond that, I think this show may have failed to reel in a lot of people with the ability to switch it on at a moment's notice simply due to the snail's pace at which it starts out through the first couple episodes...but when things start rolling...well, it's just really fucking good.
I'm only a few episodes into season 2 so I couldn't even begin to try to dissect it too much since there are bound to be all sorts of stunning plot twists ahead but there are a couple things definitely noteworthy I've taken away from it so far:
1: The writers have done an excellent job of getting Ben Medelsohn plenty of screen time. I was worried he'd only appear in a flashback here or there but no, he's a main player for sure. Or, as the attached article so aptly states "it's still all about Danny" which is perfectly fine as he was far and away the most gripping character on the show, and Mendelsohn does fantastic job portraying him.
2: the other siblings are finally developing a little character. There is still noticeably less Danny than season 1 for obvious reasons. And this has given the writers a chance to make the others start seeming a little less like background props. While John had some decent development in season 1 he is really coming through now as he deals with his conscience and everything else that would come with the situation he put himself in. More importantly Meg and Kevin are finally getting some depth as they both bored me terribly so, or in Kevin's case; annoyed the shit out of me in the first season. Now he's quickly gone from a loudmouth, douchey, date-raping frat boy sort of character that I basically had to fight the urge to skip past scenes that included him...to perhaps the most interesting one of the bunch through three episodes.
If anyone else is watching this I'd love to hear what your observations are. Ok, then. Back to it now.
He may be dead but Bloodline season two is still all about Danny
MAY 29, 20169:13AM
Wenlei Ma
REVIEW
WHAT’S that old saying? You can’t pick your family.
You can bet there are some members of the trouble-plagued Rayburns who wish they could.
Netflix’s gripping family drama Bloodlinereturns for a second season on the streaming service today, with the slightly shortened 10-episode run picking up exactly where the first season left off over a year ago.
You may even need to go back and revisit the last couple of episodes of season one because this new instalment plunges headfirst into all the dangling threads.
In stark contrast to last season, it keeps up a breakneck pace for the first half of the episodes, providing little reprieve from the ball of anxiety you’ll turn into from all the tension and paranoia swirling through the story.
The challenge for the series was always going to be how to sustain its winning dynamic after its most compelling character, Danny Rayburn (Ben Mendelsohn), was killed off last year. The show confirmed very early on that Mendelsohn would still appear this season but it was always going to be in a lessened capacity, which he does primarily through flashbacks.
He may be dead but season two is still all about Danny. Pic: Netflix.Source:Supplied
Even in death his presence is looming through the whole season in large part because John and Meg are still struggling to deal with the clusterf**k he left behind.
Complicating matters is the sudden appearance of people from Danny’s secretive life in Miami, including a mysterious son, intent on stirring up more trouble. As one character notes, “Son of a bitch may be dead but he’s making my life miserable”.
They have their own agendas and represent another threat to the already under pressure Rayburns. John Leguizamo’s addition to the cast is likely designed to partly fill the hole left by Danny’s absence and while his character’s erratic and unnerving presence brings that element to the series, it’s no match for the complex Danny.
Kyle Chandler’s John Rayburn has been tapped to carry the main burden of the narrative. The well-meaning John has been repositioned this season as a more compromised character as he’s increasingly cornered by mostly the choices other people make.
No one is having a good time this season.Source:Supplied
John isn’t just flirting with the grey area any more, he’s plunged right into it. It’s an ongoing theme for the whole season, exposing the many flaws of the Rayburns, even the so-called upstanding members. As the pressure mounts, the cracks do more than just appear. The ever-present sheen of sweat on John’s face belies his attempts to stay composed.
While completely understanding the writers’ desire to keep the spectre of Danny a central part of the season, this focus also dragsBloodline down from what it could be. Rather than this feeling like season two, it feels a little like season 1.5. There are also a couple of plot points that are virtually repeated from last season, a wasted opportunity for further story or character development.
And that’s the main problem with season two, it doesn’t feel like there’s any forward momentum or growth. Nor does it give you a clear sense of what the series could be without Danny.
But then again, if it’s just more of season one, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s still a welcome return to the stifling and repressive heat of the Florida Keys
Kyle Curtis
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Noah Walden
Bud Curtis
Alex Romero
Daniel Curtis
Yeah, i gave Kevin a chance but he's still the guy you want to punch in the face a bunch. More depth to the character sure, but that just let's us really see how deep the douche can set in. Tell me if your opinion of him changes after its all wrapped up. You're pretty close.
Daniel Curtis
How do you feel about Leguizamo? Soooo creepy...