So, yeah. Episode 4 of season 2 really picked up for me. I have only seen the first 4 episodes.
Here is the deal. Same staff, directors, actors, writers, but…
30 minutes an episode, which is a massive 8 minutes an episode longer than the standard TV 22.
They didn’t trim the fat this season. Episode 3 was the worst one so far., slow and bad pacing with jokes, 3 seperate plots that all felt too drawn out.
What I loved about Season 1 was how snappy the show was. It had the 30 Rock patented 4 gags/minute pace, that was hilarious. Lots of flashbacks, quick cuts, etc.
But season 2 feels really drawn out. Again though, the high points are still high. Season 2, Episode 4 was a major high point… probably because Tituss Burgess did the heavy lifting, with his story taking the “A” plot. And the “B” plot of Kimmy trying to save her former mole-sister from joining another cult was pretty funny too. “Wet T-shirt contest participant” shirt was a pretty good gag.
Looking forward to seeing more, but the reviews have definitely all pointed out how uneven the season has been. Definitely too much of a good thing.
Also, “Mimi” played by the hilarious Amy Sedaris was in last season for one episode (maybe two?).
I wonder if this is an overall issue with Netflix and other streaming-first TV shows. They have unlimited time, much less constraints in getting to air, and I think that definitely can harm the creativity. Carte Blanche for creativity has worked for the likes of Louie and Lena Dunham (Girls) but I think really has hampered a few Netflix TV shows. (Orange is the New Black, Arrested Development new season)