"Luther" season two pulls its viewers and characters back in the fold without a moment's rest. Using the momentous end of season one as a springboard for DCI John Luther's new life and old troubles.
Season one of "Luther" is such a powerhouse that, by and large, anything that came next would pale in comparison. Indeed, season two does not live up to the constant high of season one, but in its own right, it is still an incredible four episodes of television.
Idris Elba returns as John Luther, a man with a dark past but whose kind heart is the source of most of his troubles. Ruth Wilson reprises her role (though diminished) as the ever-unpredictable Alice Morgan. Warren Brown steps up to a more leading role as instantly likable Justin Ripley, and Dermot Crowley enjoys a return with an expanded role as DSU Martin Schenk, rounding out most of the returning cast.
The new cast features Aimee-Ffion Edwards as the precocious Jenny Jones. Kierston Wareing as untrustworthy mother. Nikki Amuka-Bird as the by-the-books DCI Erin Grey and David Dawson as the ever-unlikeable Toby Kent.
The formula remains mostly the same. Killer of the Week has now become the killer of every two weeks and is entwined with Luther's continually harrowing personal drama. The first bit of good news is that the Killers of the Week are far more engaging this season. Intense and wonderfully acted, with enough twists to keep you guessing but grounded so it doesn't become too fantastical. Season one's joy was seeing how street-smart Luther is and playing his wits against these criminals, and season two allows for a much stronger expansion of that interplay. Particularly the second arc, which brings in a twist that is simple but chilling when revealed, allowing for a completely new look at the episode. Amuka-Bird and Crowley bring better energy to the police force this season, it feels more flawed and lived in, making Luther's life crazier but also bringing some needed chaos to the investigations. Brown's Just Ripley graduates to being more of a voice of reason and feels comfortable in the role as he starts to become more and more like-minded with Luther.
The subplot featuring Erin Grey is intensely frustrating, and Nikki Amuka-Bird plays her to perfection. She's obnoxious, annoying, and overbearing, but that's the intent, and it comes off clear during the four episodes, allowing for some built-up tension that continues into the third season.
Luther's personal drama once again takes center stage, but it isn't as compelling as the first season. Luther finds himself in charge of protecting young Jenny Jones when her mother reaches out to him, baiting him with guilt he still holds over how he handled Jenny's father during a case years prior. Elba and Edwards are quite energetic in their roles. Their chemistry is fun and clearly there on the screen, he is a battle-weary curmudgeon with a good heart, and she is a young woman who has seen too much with a chip on her shoulders. The combination works even if the plot itself is not as interesting as the Zoe Luther plot in season one.
Couple that with the killer investigations being top-notch, and you have somewhat of an inverse of what was great about season one. Instead of Luther's personal issues outweighing the sensational murder cases, this time, the murder cases outshine Luther's woes, and that feels like the slightest of missteps for the show.
Doesn't help that Ruth Wilson's Alice Morgan has somewhat of a passing appearance here and there, nothing that really serves the plot of this season but rather closes the loop on the first season and somewhat sets things up for the third. Morgan is such a draw to the first season that her absence is felt.
But to be critical of such good television will always have to be somewhat nit-picky. Season two of "Luther" is still riveting, each episode playing out like half of a film with all of the intensity you'd expect from one. Elba is such a leading man that he blends in with the insanity around Luther but also sticks out from it.
Having seen season three before writing this review of the second season allows me to be more favorable to it. In a lot of ways, Season Two is burdened with the heaviest of charges. It must follow up season one's epic adventure, be its own season, but then also lay the pieces correctly for season three to capitalize on it so well that its effects will reverberate forwards and backward. It was never going to be an easy task, and the truth is that season two does it honorably. I don't think anyone could diminish it too much, like Luther himself. It's not perfect, but it was always going to get the job done.
My Verdict: 8.5/10
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