The second season of this show continues where the first left off, and it does this in so many ways. In terms of narrative it is immediate, but it is also the high production values and feel of quality that is what strikes as continuing. What doesn't continue is the sense that the source material is still driving the show. I've only read it once and am not precious about such things, but certainly the second season doesn't quite have the same touches as the first. Part of this is understandable, since we were coming into this world as opposed to now being in it, but it is more than that.
The second season does deliver a lot of 'events', it also takes us to physical parts of the world we've not been before, and has more flashbacks and other characters. However too much of this feels like it is done in the pursuit of misery. Of course this is part of the world, but it comes over as the thing the writing is serving rather than being a consequence of it. Due to this, it doesn't really spark as it moves forward, and it has the feel of being in a bit of a rut even if it is moving forward event-wise. The high production standards all help cover this, but it is thin. The cast do a lot to help it, and in particular Moss is as great as usual. There are a few weak links, but Strahovski and a few others are impressive.
As a season I 'appreciated' it. I don't think I loved it or was engaged in the events or the world-building, mostly because it felt like both were occurring so that the show could wallow in its grimness.
