I have very mixed feelings about this season. On one hand, the decision to have most of the conflicts be internal, far-reaching, and end mostly unresolved is a bold move that I think has a lot of merit in a storytelling landscape that has shied very far away from ambiguity, to the point that there’s a general expectation that all conflicts presented must be resolved by the end for a narrative to be “good” (or considered skillfully constructed). There’s something to be said for an ‘unsatisfying’ season of TV in a culture primed for comfort and familiarity. Sometimes things were left unresolved in a way that I actually appreciated—Santos and the scalpel being one. If the lack of certain resolutions is intentional, I do feel there’s something to admire. Is this season weaker than S1 because of it? In my opinion, yes, but not horrifically so.
On the other hand, it’s hard not to look at Mohan and now Al-Hashimi’s arcs and not feel disappointed. Robby’s ultimatum to Al-Hashimi after a day of belittling and undermining her reads blatantly antagonistic from a birds-eye view, particularly because she’s given the chance to throw his hypocrisy in his face when they argue this ep—so I have to ask: why present that if not for the audience to think about it? Are his moments of dissociation and/or panic attacks so different from Al-Hashimi’s lapses? And if she doesn’t come back, what was their conflict meant to convey? Worse, Supriya Ganesh’s departure and the manner in which it’s been handled over the past few weeks have soured things in general for me, especially given how rarely Mohan’s on screen over these last few eps. I really don’t think it’s useful to speculate on the situation any more than people already are, but it’s still a dark shadow over the ending.
NOW, if S3 is going to be treated as a third act to multiple characters’ journeys (obviously excluding Mohan), I think I could come around on S2 in a ‘the weaker second book in a trilogy is doing a thankless job’ sort of way. But if that doesn’t happen, it’ll cast my issues with this season in a different light.
Idk—it’s tough. I’m glad that there’s a story trying (I think) to challenge the viewer, but is it worth it if it’s coming at the cost of longevity and justice for characters like Collins and Mohan (and possibly Al-Hashimi)? Like is this bold-if-flawed writing or just a mid season of TV? If the writers room doesn’t have several months/years to develop a season (as with S1), will they be able to reach S1 levels of balance, momentum, and nuance again? Who the hell is to say at this point! Guess I’ll have a couple months to think about it!
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