A Good Girl's Guide To Murder Season 2: Review
Synopsis: After solving the Andie Bell case, Pip attempts to return to a normal life. However, she is forced back into being a detective when Jamie Reynolds, her friend Connor's older brother and key witness in the Max Hastings trial disappears.
Cast: Emma Myers, Zain Iqbal, Asha Banks, Jude Morgan-Collie, Henry Ashton, Yali Topol Margalith, Yasmin Al-Khudhairi, Carla Woodcock, Jessica Webber, Gary Beadle, Anna Maxwell-Martin, Peter Sullivan, Misia Butler, Eden H. Davies, Jack Rowan, Anna Brindle, Freddie England, Lu Corfield, Stephanie Street, Freddie Thorp, Oliver Coopersmith, Andy McLeod, Matthew Chambers, Jackson Bews, Annabel Mullion, Adam Astill, Thomas Gray.
Rating: 9/10
Warning: Will contain spoilers for AGGGTM S2, GGBB and AGAD.
General Review
Wow.
Just wow.
Though I was a fan of last season and did not mind the changes made, this season showed the importance behind letting authors write the scripts for adaptations based on their books.
This season was an improvement of season one. It fixed any inaccuracies that were in season one and added many references to the third book that I loved. I feel really bad for any non-book readers who didn't understand the references because you guys are truly in for a ride next season. Us book readers suffered from book 3 and seeing those references just cemented how I am NOT ready for season 3.
Acting
Across the board, the acting was great. Everyone did amazing last season, I would say they have improved. Here are some of my fave performances:
Emma Myers: Expected of course. She is an absolute star. Her accent has improved, though I didn't care that much last season about it being "bad". She did an amazing job showcasing Pip's descent into obsession and her paranoia towards everyone. And her chemistry with Zain was great. The scene where she's trying to save Stanley was haunting. I felt Pip's pain and desperation when she was trying to revive him.
Zain Iqbal: Incredible. I loved him in season 1 and I loved him even more in season 2. Holly taking charge of the script really improved Ravi's character. I loved seeing his feelings about Sal and how defensive he got with Pip. Him shouting at Max to stay away from Pip was a scene that I was looking forward to and Zain nailed it. His chemistry with Emma was great. And I loved his chemistry with Jude. I love how Ravi clocks Connor for using humour to mask his worry because he knows how it feels to lose a brother and masking your feelings so that nobody looks deeper.
Jude Morgan-Collie: I'm telling you guys right now, but I truly believe that Jude is going to be a star. His acting was incredible this season. His comedic skills are incredible and his emotional range in the rare moments we see Connor's worry for Jamie broke my heart. Him screaming to Jamie that he wasn't going to go anywhere without him in 2x06 broke me. I really hope Jude does more thrillers in the future.
Asha Banks: Though she wasn't present for the full season, Asha still made her mark. I love Asha and I wish we'd seen more of her this season. I know it's most likely because she was filming Your Fault: London at the same time but it was sad not to see her around that much. However, she was incredible nonetheless. Her scenes with Emma were my favourite and really showed how conflicted Cara was over everything regarding her father and Pip. She loved Pip, but just couldn't come to terms with Pip's role in her father's arrest.
Misia Butler: HEARTBREAKING. I'll admit that I am not a Stanley Forbes fan. And before you say, "but you like Charlie Green???", yeah I do and my mind won't change on that. However, I will just say that I prefer TV Stanley Forbes over book Stanley Forbes because Misia Butler was incredible. In his limited screen time, he made me feel connected to Stanley's character and dread what his future would be. Stanley also being played by a trans man elevated his character, but I'll talk more about that later!
Eden H. Davies: I'll admit that I wasn't pleased by Eden's casting initially. I wanted Jamie to be plus-sized and was disappointed that he wasn't. However, despite this, I really enjoyed Eden's performance. He's not Jamie from the books, but I still liked his characterisation. There were some things that I would change, but Eden did great nonetheless. I predicted that Jamie would've witnessed something related to Nat's rape prior to season 2. It's sad that he never got to tell his side of the story to the court, but at least we (as in the book readers) know that Max will eventually get what's coming to him.
Jack Rowan: THE ONLY PERSON WHO CAN EVER PLAY CHARLIE GREEN. I am convinced that Holly shook the book and Jack fell out of it. He played the part of the unsuspecting neighbour so well. And when he hesitated with shooting Stanley before going through with it... absolutely incredible. Charlie Green, you may be misunderstood by most, but I'll always understand you. I think Jack's performance just made me understand more about Charlie's motivations and the similarities between him and Pip. They're both justice driven individuals who've been failed by the system. Charlie, however, took it out on the wrong person, while Pip will inevitably take it out on the right people.
Jessica Webber: My poor Nat! Jessica did an amazing job. I know a lot of people did not like her as Nat last season, but I loved her and season 2 made me love her even more. Her breaking down after Max's verdict just ruined me. And do not get me started about her hating Pip but also wanting to protect her and hoping she'll save Jamie.
Henry Ashton: Of course, I can't talk about notable performances without mentioning Henry. Max's character was fleshed out in the show as the books are from Pip's POV, which is limited since she couldn't personally witness the trial and had to rely on external sources. I hated Max in the books, and I fucking despise him even more in the show. Him shifting the blame on to Sal, knowing that Sal's name was just cleared and cannot defend himself, is disgusting. Pip was right to say that Sal would be disgusted by him. His fake pity disgusted me. Henry, you're incredible. Max, you better watch your back next season...
Annabel Mullion: In the books, I hated Max's mother because she was portrayed as a woman who will defend her son to her grave, even if there are serious accusations against him. Seeing her doubt Max and eventually realise that he is guilty of the crimes he's being accused of surprised me. I still don't like her that much, but I can emphasise with her understanding the context of her situation. To me, she's like Dawn Bell, as it looks like she's also trapped in an abusive marriage and can't escape, because her husband is a beloved figure like Jason and could ruin her if she dared to go against him. I have no clue what's planned for her in the future, but I'm seated.
Things I Liked
"Shut the fuck up, Robin.": Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted Connor to do more in this scene in the books. Him telling Robin to shut up made me squeal.
Connor using cringy street slang to buy drugs from Howie as Pip and Ravi are cringing in the car. Then him blowing his cover right afterwards and getting pressed against a car's bonnet.
PIPRAVI RAIN KISS!!! Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted this scene. It's one of my faves from the books and it was executed perfectly.
Max's mum turning against him: I hated her in the books because she was just another boy mum who thought her son could do no wrong. Having her doubt him and eventually realise that he is a rapist was surprising.
Dan finding out that Max raped Nat: Dan's a little bitch in the books and I still don't like him that much in the show, but him finding out what Max did to Nat broke my heart. Dan adores Nat in the show, which I never really got that same vibe from his book counterpart.
Charlie and Flora being expectant parents: This just adds another layer to Charlie's character. Him being an expectant father alongside a vengeful vigilante shows how desperate he was to get Jamie to kill Stanley so that he could peacefully raise his child. I thought Charlie was cruel for involving Jamie in the books when he had nothing to do with it, but this aspect changes so much and even makes me understand him more. Charlie just doesn't want to live a peaceful life with Flora - he wanted Jamie to kill him so that his child wouldn't have to face losing their father because of his own actions.
Stanley being played by a trans actor: Although Stanley wasn't explicitly portrayed as trans, him being played by a trans actor just added another layer to his character. Stanley's identity is a core aspect of his character. He's had multiple aliases since being put in witness protection and Stanley is the one he loved most.
Robin Hastings: Anyone who knows me knows how much I wanted Ant in the show. Finding out about Robin annoyed me at first but then I realised how much better this change was. In the books, Ant had no relevance besides being Pip's friend and Lauren's boyfriend. In contrast, Robin is Max's cousin whom he seems quite close to. Having Robin be involved with Lauren and slowly turn her against Pip shows how Max indirectly stole her close friend from her. Ant was just a scumbag, but Robin is a scumbag who's related to a rapist and defends said rapist.
Cara's characterisation: I actually like how Cara isn't portrayed as the "perfect" friend as she was in the book. I loved Cara in the books, but I always felt like she was a bit one-dimensional and was just there to be Pip's best friend, even after her father was arrested for horrific crimes. Seeing Cara struggle with coming to terms with Pip's role in her father's arrest and how it has impacted their friendship was interesting. I feel like it strengthened their friendship, too, as we now know that Cara will always stick by Pip, even when things get tough, which we know will get tough for Pip...
Pip, Ravi and Connor trio: I loved this little detective trio. Every scene they were in together was hilarious. Emma, Zain and Jude all have incredible chemistry with each other and I would love to see them together in future projects.
Soundtrack: S1's soundtrack was great (The Feminine Urge, Seize The Power, Wet Dream, Me and the Devil, etc) and S2's (Labour, Hayloft II, Doomsday, etc) was even better. Whoever picked the music this season deserves a raise. I literally screamed when I heard Mother Mother and I'm not even joking. Perhaps this means Burning Pile will play next season???
Ravi and Connor duo: CUTIES. I love Ravi and Connor so much. They're so similar in how they use humour to mask their true feelings. Ravi clocking Connor for it when they were putting up posters in 2x02 made so much sense, because Ravi knows what Connor's going through and wants him to be honest. And honestly, though I do not ship this personally, I would not be surprised if people start shipping them after this season. Zain and Jude have lovely chemistry with each other and I think it would be a cute dynamic.
Foreshadowing: All I've gotta say is that non-book fans have no idea what's coming to them in season three. You guys DO NOT know how bad it's gonna get for Pip. I was literally screaming seeing the references.
Cara talking to Charlie: The daughter of a killer talking to the twin brother of a murder victim... so deep. I was initially surprised by Cara's presence but now I wish that Holly had put it in the book! Cara understands the pain Charlie feels for not being there to save his sister. So hard-hitting.
Jason Bell scenes: Knowing what this man does to Pip in book 3... I felt so sick seeing him on screen. Matthew Chambers perfectly portrayed a seemingly normal family man who's hiding a dark secret. No one would ever guess what he's about to do next season (except the book readers ofc).
"Why do you always think I kill people?": BAHAHAHA DAN IS SO SELF-AWARE. IF ONLY HE KNEW THAT PIP IS ABOUT TO ACCUSE HIM OF ANOTHER CRIME NEXT SEASON.
JamieNat kiss: MY PARENTS!!! THEY'RE SO CUTE!!!
The one Zach reference: THIS IS JUST FOR ME LOL. The fact that Jamie said that Connor feels lonely without Zach just made me giggle. ZachConnor, you'll never die!
Things I Didn't Like
Arthur Reynolds being cut: Unfortunately, I saw this coming when no actor was credited for him. I'll admit that this change did annoy me. Arthur, though not a major character, played a big role in Jamie's story in the books. He was initially resistant to the investigation because he believed that Jamie had run off again and was letting the family down. Then, after the close call with the body that was discovered, he realises the seriousness of the situation and that nothing that him and Jamie fought over mattered. I think he shouldn't have been cut.
Joanna's characterisation: Okay, I don't think this was horrible. Lu did do great playing Joanna. However, I will say that I prefer Joanna's book counterpart over the show. Joanna ADORED Jamie in the book and was worried for him from the beginning. However, it felt like they had transferred Arthur's lack of concern to Joanna, until she found Jamie's bloodied jumper. I still love show Joanna, but I think it could've been better.
"My dad is not a killer": Knew this was coming if Arthur didn't exist. This line was my favourite from the books so seeing it cut made me sad. Could've made for some great CaraConnor edits.
The body being found scene: I'm so sad that this scene was different. In GGBB, Pip runs to Connor's house after the body is found and stays with him and his parents until it's confirmed that it's not Jamie. This being switched to Pip seeing the news and then talking to Connor on the phone was a little disappointing to see. Jude and Emma killed it regardless but I would've LOVED seeing the exact scene play out.
Conclusion
Despite the changes, amazing season. I am so proud of Holly and the cast. They all deserve their praises and I hope to see everyone being supportive towards them for their hard work.
If you did not like this season, that's fine. However, do not take it out on Holly and the cast, who all worked so hard. Please just accept that you didn't like it and move on.
Anyway, I loved this season and cannot wait for season three!
