Episode #1.2

The makers of Adolescence wanted to expand the one shot drama technique. Be more creative. If the first episode moved to different locations.

The second episode stayed mainly at the school but it is a large school. The camera goes from outside to inside the classroom. The various schoolblocks, up and down the stairs, to the playground and to the sportsground.

Eventually there is a chase scene before the camera is placed on the drone for an emotional finale.

Set three days after the murder of Katie Leonard and the arrest of Jamie Miller.

DI Bascombe is looking for the murder weapon. As well as the reason as to why Jamie killed Katie. Maybe talking to his school friends would help Bascombe find some answers.

One lad called Ryan proves evasive, like he has something to hide.

It is Bascombe's own son, a pupil at the school who sheds some lights about hidden meanings in text messages.

I did thing the show would had done better to tackle misogyny in society rather than incel culture which is a part of it. It can after the opposite effect of glorifying certain people in the subculture.

Once again it is the drama that shines. Even the quieter moments. The police recognise the school is a wreck. Even the teachers do not want to be there.

There is a bravado in the one shot technique. The interior shots in the classroom are still too dark such as when DI Bascombe talks to his son.

It is better with the natural light in the outdoor scenes. The foot chase scene looked to be slow. The transfer to the drone was seamless.

Damn this episode was not a bad way to follow up from the intense pilot thar manages to hook you right into this story!

This episode shows us how much about the world at svhool, and whst goes on in teenagers head, that we as adults don't understand! In some ways it is frightning and you can feel almost powerless in teying to understand this world, and the power social media truely has!

The case is still gripping and centerring it around those who knew Jamie and Katie close, was a great idea!

The episode is shot spectaculaly and that last shot when they drive away in the car... truely and insanely mind buggling!!

DI Bascombe and DS Frank visit Jamie's school to speak to his fellow pupils and friends, and to try and find the murder weapon. Bascombe finds a wall of silence, but his son Adam offers a strong, but uncomfortable lead.

It's just as shocking as the first episode, gritty and eye opening, if you're like me, it's a while since you went to school, John Major would have been Prime Minister, things have really changed, these days of incels and Andrew Tate, it's bleak.

I get the impression that there's a very strong amount of realism here, I'm glad I grew up when I did, the lives of young people now, social media etc, I can't imagine what it must be like.

Who'd want to be a teacher, seeing the way that kids speak to them, it's like a total societal breakdown.

The acting and flow of it continues to impress, it's just so natural, so organic. It really is gripping drama.

9/10.

"Adolescence" S1 E2 continues to explore the raw and unfiltered world of its teenage protagonists, but the momentum established in the premiere falters somewhat. While the episode maintains the series' signature visual style and compelling performances, the narrative struggles to maintain the same level of engagement, resulting in a slightly underwhelming viewing experience.

The cinematography remains a strong point, capturing the gritty realism of the characters' lives with a raw and unflinching eye. However, the slow pace, which was effective in the premiere, begins to feel more like stagnation in this episode. The narrative meanders, lacking a clear sense of direction or urgency.

The performances continue to be commendable, with the young actors delivering nuanced portrayals of their troubled characters. However, the lack of narrative momentum makes it difficult to fully invest in their emotional journeys. The characters remain compelling, but their actions and motivations feel somewhat aimless.

The episode delves deeper into the characters' inner lives and their struggles with identity, sexuality, and the pressures of their environment. However, the exploration of these themes feels somewhat repetitive and lacks the same level of emotional impact as the premiere.

The dialogue remains sparse and understated, but the lack of significant plot developments makes the episode feel somewhat monotonous. The ending leaves you with a sense of unease, but also a lingering question: will the series be able to recapture the momentum and deliver a more engaging narrative in subsequent episodes?

Overall, "Adolescence" S1 E2 is a visually striking episode that maintains the series' raw and authentic tone. However, its slow pace and lack of narrative momentum prevent it from being as compelling as the premiere.

The second episode of Adolescence makes a bold move and decides not to feature Jamie at all. Instead we follow DI Bascombe and DS Frank as they go around Jamie's school. The school is in absolute shambles and is a great depiction of school life in 2025. It's pandemonium and anything but learning is taking place in the school. The teachers and students are rowdy and hate each other. Adam was a cool addition to the story with his family relation to Bascombe and he managed to provide the officers with online stuff like the 80/20 rule. Unfortunately, Jade was an awful character and she was truly unwatchable.