Season 2 lacks direction; premise not sustainable

djcolosi

Season 2 is an ongoing disappointment that somehow manages to become sillier and more outrageous each week. Not surprising; the premise is not sustainable. This series makes sense (if at all) for one or two seasons. The standoff, by its very nature, cannot go on indefinitely. Therefore, the longer it takes to reach a conclusion, the more filler needs to be added to keep it going.

Is there really a place in Appalachia or anywhere in the US for that matter, where clans of mountain folk mosey down into town on a whim for a "run" for purposes of resupplying by driving ATVs through stores with impunity?

Season 1 was a lot tighter and appeared to be leading to a conclusion. But season 2 is a mess, filled with inexplicable developments. Consider everything surrounding Asa. He was one of the few Farrells who had a moral compass and seemed like a potential bridge between the clan and the Town. He did G'win's bidding, only to be betrayed by her and locked up. She begged him to kill Big F and then immediately after he did so, she locked him up. Then - he dies - out of nowhere, and we learn that Big F is alive. Not only is he alive, but now he is a good guy - what??

G'win is no better than Big F. The only difference between them is that he succeeded in killing the person ahead of him in the pecking order (his mom) where she failed to kill the person ahead of her (Big F). How does G'win remain as the clan leader after Big F openly admitted to killing his mother, when she tried to do the same thing?

I don't even know where to start with the Kinnah Tribe. They come out of nowhere and G'win accepts them and brings their leader into the fold immediately. I understand hospitality, but the way the Kinnah are practically leading the clan in the course of a few episodes is a bit much.

More on the Kinnah - a few inked, half bald and mostly naked woman appear out of nowhere and sweep the guards off their feet (and then promptly kill them). As if the guards would not have suspected something was amiss - because inked, half bald and mostly naked woman appearing out of the woods for sex must be a regular thing in the fantasy land where this show takes place. I mean - could the creators of this show possibly portray the townsfolk as any dumber? And could they possibly be any weaker? Lil F (who admittedly is a big strong man) is portrayed as beating a half dozen or so townies at a time, while 8-fingered Hasil, who has a slight build, at best, fights like a ninja warrior.

There is so so so much more. But, the biggest disappointment of season 2 thus far may actually be: what is going on with the coal company and its billion dollar plan to take the mountain? Its course of action, which is what drives the show and will ultimately lead to its occlusion, has been lost amid the goofiness. But I guess that is to be expected where, as here, an original premise that begs for a conclusion is overly delayed by goofy filler.

score 3/10

djcolosi 14 February 2017

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw3640092/