Emotional, sensitive and revealing, the second season of the Netflix original The End of the F***ing World, despite all its vulnerability and well-written characters, takes a lot of time to gather pace. A little editing would have improved the show. Post the harrowing events of the first season, both Alyssa (Jessica Barden) and James (Alex Lawther) have moved on. While James (SPOILER) is still alive and has fallen hard for Alyssa, the latter has found peace in a new place and a new partner. Season 2 also introduces the audience to two new sinister characters called Bonnie and Professor Clive. While Bonnie is a murderer on the loose, Clive is a rapist. Right from the moment these characters make their appearance in the show, you know something is off about them. Noami Ackie, who portrays Bonnie, plays her part to the T. Mental illness is an overarching theme of The End of the F***ing World Season 2. Be it depression or being unhinged, the writers have attempted to dig deep into the psyche of a person who suffers from such illnesses. While Jessica deals with depression, James is mourning his father’s death (SPOILER). The first few episodes are slow-burns in the real sense of the term, but it is in the latter half of the show that the writing comes really alive. The latter episodes of the show are also better because they have more to offer — there is more at play as far as viewers’ intrigue, thrill and general interest in the characters are concerned. What works in favour of the show is the way the story is told (which was how it was done the first time around as well). Since the show has been adapted from a comic book, the fonts and the characters’ introductions pay homage to the origin source fittingly. The varying lengths of inner monologue and the narrations of lead characters add to the package, therefore making it more interesting and watchable. Verdict: Watch The End of the F***ing World Season 2 for its performances and character arcs. The End of the F***ing World Season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix.
