We were granted access to Episodes 1 through 5 of “From” Season Two from MGM. Mild Spoilers abounds.
With the brand change, and the penchant for studios to cancel their series, lately fans of “From” have been aching for news about a second season. Thankfully, MGM granted fans of the high rated horror series a second season and for better and for worse, it offers up mostly the same neat twists, turns, and terror, but there are even more nagging questions that are propped up for the audience. Some fans might love this, and some might be turned off, immediately.
After the season one finale left the town losing a few of their own, and the construction of a radio tower proved disastrous, new denizens roll in to town on a Greyhound bus. The new group of characters is, like the previous characters, confused, scared, and absolutely baffled as to why they’re there. With Sheriff Boyd stuck in the small hole, and the Matthews’ house caving in, chaos ensues.
Season two introduces even more characters than ever, as the greyhound bus is stowing a bunch of travelers. And we’re once again given the experience of getting to know some new people. Some of them are instantly likable, and some of them have potential to cause trouble. The series doesn’t waste any time, with the new characters entering in to town, and Kenny and Donna having to figure out how to explain their new circumstances to them. What with the house caving in, things are dizzying in pace, especially as the new guests are anxious to get back on the bus and out of the town.
The new season introduces some brand new mysteries in the first five episodes, forging along to new clues to what’s going on. Boyd is faced with a mysterious chained man in the hole who offers an exit, mom Tabitha is experiencing her own brand of hallucinations, and Victor is sensing that the environment is shifting once again. I was disappointed somewhat that the new season doesn’t really seem all that eager to explain a ton of what’s unfolding around us. The writers prop up new clues and mysteries, but haven yet to really offer any potential clues or solutions to season one mysteries. Why are the talismans deterrents? Can they be used as weapons? What even are the flesh eating monsters that trickle out of the woods every night?
Furthermore, is the environment shifting to help or hurt the towns folks? And why is everyone having hallucinations suddenly? I’d love at least one of these answered before the end of the season. That said, while offering new Whats, Whys, and Hows is a bit irritating, season two offers the goods in great drama, interesting tension, and a major conflict of interest that rears its ugly head near the mid-season finale. Every member of the cast are still very good in their respective roles (Elizabeth Saunders steals every scene she’s in as fierce matriarch Donna), and I think the situations will get worse before it gets better. I’m eager to see how this all plays out, and hope MGM allows the series to breathe and lead us in to the answers.
“From” Season Two Premieres on MGM+ (Formerly Epix) on April 23rd. Check Local Listings.