Under the Skin Season 2 falls short of its predecessor, offering a slower-paced and occasionally boring continuation of the crime drama. While it maintains a mature and realistic tone in some aspects, the overall execution leaves much to be desired.
Plot and Pacing
The second season suffers from repetitive storylines, predictable plot twists, and lazy writing. The mysterious elements that made the first season intriguing don't last long, and many events seem to occur solely for the sake of moving the narrative forward. The slower pace and redundant scenes contribute to a less engaging viewing experience.
Characters and Relationships
Main Characters
Shen Yi emerges as the central figure, carrying the drama with his intelligence and problem-solving skills. However, his character sometimes comes across as bland.
Du, the other male lead, is disappointingly underutilized and spends most of the season annoyed at Yi's involvement in cases.
The female lead, a hacker, proves to be one of the more useful characters, providing crucial information for solving cases.
Supporting Cast
The other police officers are largely ineffective, contributing little to the plot's progression.
Du and Yi's Relationship
The dynamic between Du and Yi is particularly disappointing. Their interactions are limited to case discussions or Du's attempts to control Yi's actions. Du's behavior towards Yi is often childish and counterproductive, culminating in Yi's removal from the final case.
Case Resolution and Ending
The season concludes with a cliffhanger that fails to impress. The resolution of the final case feels contrived, with Yi having to convince the criminal to turn himself in. Du's sudden realization of Yi's genius after sidelining him feels forced and inconsistent with his previous behavior.
Production Quality
Despite a production time of only 10 weeks (5 for writing and 5 for filming), the drama maintains above-average quality. However, it relies heavily on dialogue and repetitive locations, likely due to the rushed production schedule.
Recommendations
Fans of the first season may find some enjoyment in this follow-up, but casual viewers might find it boring, lazy, and repetitive. The ending, in particular, may be a turn-off for many viewers.
Positive Aspects
Mature and realistic portrayal of certain elements
Above-average production quality given the short production time
Good music and varying end credit songs
Negative Aspects
Repetitive and predictable storylines
Underutilized supporting cast
Poorly developed relationship between main characters
One-dimensional criminals with inadequate backstories
Lack of visual representation of crimes, relying too heavily on exposition
In conclusion, Under the Skin Season 2 fails to live up to the potential established by its predecessor. While it may satisfy die-hard fans of the series, its flaws in writing, character development, and pacing make it a disappointing sequel overall.