when sugar When it debuted in 2024, Apple TV promoted it as a callback to the noir films of yesteryear. Colin Farrell plays John Sugar, a private investigator in Los Angeles who deals with missing persons cases. So far it’s typical.
But it was Sugar’s love of old Hollywood that helped set this series apart, adding another layer to this homage through clips of classic movies that pop up to show us we’ve seen it before. However, we weren’t.
Because as Season 1 progressed, clues that something different might be going on emerged with developments that ultimately surprised us. At the end of episode 6, it was revealed that John was actually a sapphire-skinned alien in disguise, and his strange little quirks and strange companions he often had were explained.
There were a lot of twists and turns, and it was crazy. Even if there were hints, it was hard to believe that the show would make such a big change. The same is true in the streaming era. Switching classic genres, I brazenly helped out on set sugar It is distinguished as unique within the streaming environment. And now the same is true for Sugar herself. He is a man adrift and lonely on earth.
Season 1 ended with John’s fellow aliens leaving the world after the truth of their existence was threatened. Only Sugar and another visitor, responsible for his sister’s disappearance, remained. This is a fascinating setup for Season 2, creating a new cat-and-mouse dynamic that subverts what noir fans are used to. Except that the show soon decides to go in a completely different direction.
Without spoiling anything, the premiere almost immediately pivots with another big swing before getting back on track again with a new case for John to solve. This time, a local boxer named Danny Moon (Jina) needs help finding his brother Ji (Ramond Lee). As is customary in such noir stories, Sugar’s missing person is on the run from dangerous people, and it doesn’t take long for him to be on their radar, too.
As general as it may sound, fans are approaching this story in a completely different way than before. The cat is out of the bag. So even the show’s most predictable tropes are layered with a sci-fi edge, fused together to create something new. But it actually turns out to be a double-edged sword. With no big mystery to engage us with other than the central incident, Season 2 ends up being a little less interesting.
Well, that’s not entirely correct. In fact, the show leaves a lot of issues to address. However, Season 2 doesn’t really have much to do with any of that. There are moments that are further teased, usually by Sugar’s voiceover, and these glimpses into the bigger picture are very welcome. Stories about missing friends and trying to connect with anyone who might have remained speak to existential anxieties common to the noir genre, albeit in very different ways.
All of this adds to the show’s atmosphere, but broader questions about the humans who were hunting them, and even John’s sister Jen, remain frustratingly elusive (and no, I didn’t even know her name was spelled that way).
A standout flashback sequence in episode 6 fleshes out Sugar’s past a bit, hinting at potential that’s never tapped into in the series. The remaining episodes double down on what makes this show unique instead of what makes it unique, and it can’t be helped that the incident in question is less interesting this time around as well.
Sasha Calle is intriguing as John’s new right-hand man but is rarely given a chance to shine, and Ha’s boxer Danny isn’t very likable considering his pivotal role. I’m not saying all characters should be warm and fuzzy. This is still noir, after all. However, Ha and Tony Dalton’s performances as the corrupt lieutenant end up being perfunctory rather than riveting.
But Laura Donnelly is innocent. She plays Charlotte Fisher, John’s new girlfriend. outlander Stars are as glamorous as the best devilish woman As it should be, his chemistry with Farrell is clearly a high point.
The cinematography, which was nominated for an Emmy Award last season, will once again captivate. The gorgeous opening scene, set in Thailand, was a good use of Apple’s funding. In fact, it’s one of Apple’s best-looking shows, possibly even better than last season, which is really saying something.
Pharrell remains a perfect fit, building on this unique character with his boyish good looks and charisma. As before, his mannerisms, and indeed the tone of Sugar as a story, feel odd and slightly off, but they do so on purpose. Almost alien.
The development of this topic opens Season 2, exploring John’s unique origins and the similarities between him and the many immigrants living in his new found home. In that respect, Season 2 builds very well on that reveal, and also touches on the corrupting effects that life in the City of Angels can have.
Amid these elements, which subvert classic noir concerns through a sci-fi lens, you get the sense that Sugar could survive the twist that has since become the show’s biggest talking point. However, for this show to solidify its future, it needs more drip-feeding of Sugar’s past for better balance.
new episodes of season 2 Sugar (★★★☆☆) Drops every Friday until August 7th. AppleTV.com.
Source: Metro Weekly – www.metroweekly.com
