The Game Is a Foot

Sadly, season two does not continue with what I thought would be the natural evolution into Charlie becoming a true detective.

Instead of creating circumstances which land her in happenstances, the show could've evolved her into the female Colombo. Charlie is curious like a detective. She asks the type of questions that a detective would. She applies deductive reasoning to figure out what may have happened. But she's not a detective? And she has a super power of sorts; the ability to know if someone is lying. I've only watched the first two episodes but, unless some good writing develops, I'll have to stay with my first impression on S02... cheesy.

It took me a while to decide whether they were bluffing or double bluffing (or in fact quad-,quin-, sex-tuple bluffing) with the meta references to bad acting. But even trying to inoculate itself with "Hamber", this episode was painful to watch. The multiple roles trope is always going to be gimmicky, even with good acting, or with intentionally bad acting. The charm just didn't come through for me, with all the over the top characterizations (presumably meant to showcase the actress's skills).

I understand the premise, much like its forebear, Columbo, is to feature the guest star prominently. But the show really needs to focus on its strongest point (and strongest, by far, considering the sometimes uneven writing), which is Natasha Lyonne. The more we get of her, the better the show. Period.

Wouldn't it be cool to know when someone is lying? Sure. But imagine always knowing-at every moment, with everyone you meet-that something isn't quite right. That white lies and half-truths stand out like blinking neon signs. It's a blessing and a curse, and "Poker Face" knows exactly how to make that tension sing. Over the course of its first season, Charlie Cale transformed from a drifter with a party trick into a reluctant folk hero-using her unique lie-detecting ability not to hustle cards, but to uncover injustice. With Season 2, the show picks up right where it left off, and this premiere is a confident, stylish, and thrilling return to form.

"The Game Is a Foot" once again deploys the show's signature inverted mystery format with surgical precision. We meet Amber Kazinsky -a faded former child star navigating the minefield of family trauma, impending inheritance, and long-buried secrets. The writing smartly gives us a full psychological portrait of Amber before even introducing Charlie, letting the drama simmer and unfold in ways that are both shocking and grounded. When Charlie does arrive, the episode kicks into a different gear, showing off the series' gift for weaving two storylines together into a suspenseful, emotionally rich conclusion. The script-penned by Laura Deeley-is full of sharp turns and tension, elevated further by Rian Johnson's sleek, gothic-tinged direction. Set on an eerie coastal estate, the episode draws on the atmospheric elegance of "Knives Out," making full use of symmetry and rooms full of secrets to capture both the grandeur and the decay of this dysfunctional family's world. It's beautiful, it's moody, and it makes you want to pause just to drink in the details. Natasha Lyonne remains the show's magnetic core, slipping back into Charlie's boots with that unmistakable blend of curiosity, sarcasm, and stubborn heart. She's matched note-for-note by Cynthia Erivo, who delivers a bravura performance that's both technically dazzling and emotionally sharp-playing five different siblings with subtlety, wit, and clarity. It's a showcase of range that doesn't feel like a gimmick, but rather a seamless part of the story's engine.

With strong writing, strong performances, and that unmistakable Johnson-ian visual flair, this is a season premiere that reminds us exactly why "Poker Face" works so well. It's clever without being smug, stylish without being empty, and above all, fun as hell.

Norma Kazinsky (Jasmine Guy) is wealthy domineering mum, taking advantage of her meek daughter Amber (Cynthia Erivo) who has been taking care of her for years.

Her other sisters abandoned their mother. Then Amber learns that her mother has changed the will and is leaving everything to someone called Felicity Price.

Amber tracks her down and finds out that Felicity is an identical sister she knew nothing about.

Meanwhile Charlie Cale has been evading hitmen who are still after her. She is picking fruit with a woman called Delia. She used to be a child actress and looks exactly like Amber.

There were quads who all appeared in a kids cop show but were ripped off by their mum Norma.

When Delia learns of her mother's death. She and Charlie go to the funeral hoping that Delia can get the money have mum stole.

Only to confront Felicity, the heiress. Charlie knows Felicity is not who she claims to be.

Like Columbo, the fun is how Charlie unmasks the impostor. Amber might not have a leg to stand on.

The opener of the second series was a showcase for British actress Cynthia Erivo who plays 5 different roles. There was also a lot of comedy as Charlie evades the shooters.

I wonder if the producers regret killing off Adrien Brody at the end of the last season. Now a two time Oscar winner.

Seeing that Poker face season one is a legit 8 out of 10, with Very consistent episode quality - I was Certain that I wouldn't have to vet out season 2 episode one before watching with a house guest.

How wrong I was! Episode one is contrived garbage! Everything felt staged, unrehearsed and shoddy - somehow made Worse by the AAA produced surroundings.

First - the script is Average at best, and omits first season perspective stuff that (I thought) is crucial to the the show's identity. But why though?

The pace plods at times, but that's better than when this episode is Trying to be funny or clever, where everything just falls flat. While directing people individually, and compositing it all together can work - I think it's Very difficult production to get right - especially if the acting requires finesse. Imo intentional bad acting, by a talented actor is not easy to direct or perform. This episode shows the challenge, by it's ineffective result.

I will say this episode takes some big production swings with a single performer playing multiple roles, and I'm all for taking chances - it's just the swing and miss in this episode is pretty brutal - especially coming off a great first season, waiting with personal anticipation, then sharing a lackluster experience with a friend.