Despite all the faux hand-wringing from those looking for to be outraged (which is a 'both sides' issue by the way), Dear White People was a pretty strong show in its first season. It picks up well in the second season and its chapter structure and character focus works well. The fallout from the previous season gives the show some narrative drive, and allows for a lot of material to be used and explored. Right-wing politics, trolling, sexual issues, racial issues, grief, relationships - a lot gets thrown around and it is all engaging and well delivered. As with the first season though, there is not quite a good a through line of plot as I would have liked and although the chapters overlap, it doesn't come together as a cohesive whole, or build to a conclusion particularly.
This is a shame overall, but it doesn't stop the episodes being good. Each one is strong in its own way, and I liked that the various cast members got a lot to work with, even the weaker episodes/characters were worth watching. Around episode 8 and 9 it seems to step into a whole other world of soap opera drama, but even then it works because the style and the performances are strong enough to make it work. Generally this is true throughout, although mostly the material is just as strong in the moment. Of course the progressive politics, sexual detail etc will be seen as pandering by some, which is a shame because the show manages the complexity of these ideal young people well, making it interesting and far from what some fear judging from the title.
There isn't really a strong conclusion or a big finish to make me rush to season 3, but there is a strong season here that is engaging and rewarding, giving characters space to be real, and giving them plenty of good material - all of which I'd like more of. I do hope the third season can have greater strength in the total package, but outside of this, there is not too much negative to say about this second season.
This is a shame overall, but it doesn't stop the episodes being good. Each one is strong in its own way, and I liked that the various cast members got a lot to work with, even the weaker episodes/characters were worth watching. Around episode 8 and 9 it seems to step into a whole other world of soap opera drama, but even then it works because the style and the performances are strong enough to make it work. Generally this is true throughout, although mostly the material is just as strong in the moment. Of course the progressive politics, sexual detail etc will be seen as pandering by some, which is a shame because the show manages the complexity of these ideal young people well, making it interesting and far from what some fear judging from the title.
There isn't really a strong conclusion or a big finish to make me rush to season 3, but there is a strong season here that is engaging and rewarding, giving characters space to be real, and giving them plenty of good material - all of which I'd like more of. I do hope the third season can have greater strength in the total package, but outside of this, there is not too much negative to say about this second season.
