"You are the system."
The second season of
Dear White People is almost here and there is not enough hype, at least not as mch as it deserves, but if you liked season one you will devour this one, this show continues to be groundbreaking, gut-punching and funny as hell, also as our beloved narrator would say
"a masterclass in shade".
The season picks up two weeks after the protest and AP is not the same and people are having a change in roommates (#WhiteBreakfastMatters), though it's not for the reasons we could've expected after last season's finale. We also find Sam in a rut, she has the same cocky attitude but she seems unable to back it up at first, partly because of boy trouble but also a lot of hate coming towards her encouraged by a certain discourse ramping up in society (yes, you all know what I'm talking about), and this doesn't help her performance at school either.
For those who love Sam's show, you won't get to see a lot of that, but that doesn't mean we don't get the goods. Also, we don't get enough of the narrator (Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito) in my opinion, but that's just because he's so damn good, we get some of it and I understand why they wouldn't want to overdo it, but it feels like a missed opportunity sometimes.
The TV parodies are still hilarious, look for Lena Waithe there, and some other guest-stars, and speaking of guest-stars, Shamier Anderson (Wynonna Earp) features in a fun way as does
One Day at a Time alumna, Sheridan Pierce. And Tessa Thompson (Thor: Ragnarok, Westworld, Creed) has a very relevant role filled with references to the original movie where she starred as Samantha White.
As for the rest of our beloved crew, let's just say Sam is not the only one who's lost, Troy is having a pretty big identity crisis, Reggie is still struggling with the aftermath of having a gun pointed at him, Jo is conflicted about her relationships in general and Coco, well, she's Coco, she doesn't get as much character development as she deserves but she does get some and she gets to feature in a very important way. And last but not least, Lionel is wondering where his place is on campus as he discovers new places and people.
And if you know this show, you know no matter how remarkable it is in its entirety, there's always one episode that is above the rest, for me this was episode eight, it is a damn masterpiece, the writing is impeccable, the conversation is fast and brilliant, and emotional, it is shocking on a personal and a political level and gets interrupted over and over by even better dialogue (though there's a scene on the season finale that is a close second), but truly, the last three episodes of the season are all incredible.
In the way of teasers, I could say there's a new show called Dear Right People (Yes), and there are a few interesting hookups. Also, Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Stitches, Eureka), who has been directing quite a few episodes here and there (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Shadowhunters, Lethal Weapon), masterfully directs episode five. In the end, this season leaves you thinking: Dear Mean People (of Netflix) why do you torture us so? It consolidates the sheer magnificence of this show and sets up some awesome stuff for season three (and there better be one).
"Because, you know, black people were involved."
And I leave you with a few more quotes because, you know, the writing is amazing:
"I thought our ancestors fought so we didn’t have to run for our lives."
"You’re not fighting with the Internet again are you?"
"Because bigots-with-guns has never gone wrong."
"That back and forth was so good it felt like Shonda Rhimes wrote us."
"No one expects to finish a sentence around you."
"This is some black Harry Potter shit!", "Oh! A pop culture reference I get."
Season two of Dear White People premieres on Netflix, Friday, May 4th. How excited are you? Let me know in the comments.
