TV Review: ‘Poker Face’ Season 2

in Movie

Reading Time: 6 mins read

Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Peacock.

‘Poker Face’ Season 2 receives 8 out of 10 stars.

Arriving on Peacock on May 8th with its first three episodes (followed by one weekly), ‘Poker Face’ sees the welcome return of Natasha Lyonne’s gravelly voiced, mystery-prone human lie-detector Charlie Cale for more mysteries.

And in keeping with the first season, this new run of episodes features a murderer’s row (sometimes literally, at least in story terms) of guest stars who play a fun, fresh batch of characters.

Initial Thoughts

(L to R) Cynthia Erivo and Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Peacock.

Created by ‘Knives Out’ filmmaker Rian Johnson in conjunction with star/executive producer Lyonne, the first season of ‘Poker Face’ was a delightful throwback to the days of ‘Columbo’ or ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ where we saw a crime –– usually a murder, but cleverly this season, not every time –– happen, and then introduced our protagonist, who would end up solving it.

Season 2 of the show is, if anything, even better, leaning harder on the supporting cast still letting Lyonne do her offbeat thing.

Script and Direction

Creator, writer, director, executive producer Rian Johnson at the premiere of ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Jesse Grant/Peacock.

The show features writing talent who have established themselves in a variety of genres and the scripting standard for ‘Poker Face’s new run of episodes –– 10 of the 12 were provided to press ahead of time –– remains resolutely high.

And in a welcome move, the mysteries are given a little more time to develop, making full use of a wonderful supporting cast, who bring a raft of characters to life. It’s easy to see why actors are attracted to coming and playing on the show.

Added to that, while we do see the mystery play out before Charlie Cale saunters on screen each week, the complexity and originality also remain high –– crimes including a variety of siblings, a laundry room and a gym are just a few of the stories on offer here.

Winding through them all, though seemingly finding a relatively early conclusion is Charlie’s issues with the crime bosses who have been hunting her down. Still, the real pleasure is seeing how she just can’t keep away from murder mysteries no matter how hard she tries.

Johnson kicks off the season directing the first episode, while Lyonne is also again behind the camera. The key here is that ‘Poker Face’ creates its own look each episode, while all feeling of a piece, and the creativity remains high.

From New York apartment buildings to stately mansions and even the inside of a private jet at a small airport, it all looks good and serves the story. There’s also a timelessness to the show’s tone and feel (even with modern gadgetry such as fitness trackers) that could have had it be set at any point in the last few decades.

Cast and Performances

Kumail Nanjiani in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Sarah Shatz/Peacock.

Natasha Lyonne has been the main component of the show since the beginning and she’s such a classic character albeit with its own fresh spin. She’s certainly in the 1970s and 1980s detective style, and yet Lyonne brings a winning combination of smarts and vulnerability to the role.

Charlie’s looking for somewhere to put down roots and yet she keeps winding up in the middle of murder scenarios, her natural ability to sniff out liars landing her in hot water (and in one case, a hot sauna) time and time again.

Lyonne brings a fascinating vibe to Charlie, making her stand out from your average TV ‘tec, and her kooky sensibilities means the show comes really to life whenever she’s on screen.

Which is to take nothing away from a quality guest cast, with actors clearly having lined up to appear. ‘Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo is a lot of fun (even if we can only imagine the workload) playing multiple identical sisters in the initial episodes, squabbling over their recently deceased mother’s estate and –– in the case of one of them –– going too far to secure her portion.

The reliable likes of Jason Ritter, Richard Kind, Gaby Hoffman, Kumail Nanjiani (styled in a way we haven’t really seen from him before), David Krumholtz, Margo Martindale, Awkwafina and John Mulaney all join the fun, making an impact and keeping Charlie on her toes.

Final thoughts

(L to R) Natasha Lyonne and John Mulaney in ‘Poker Face’ Season 2. Photo: Peacock.

There is always the worry that such a unique show as ‘Poker Face’ could work for a season and then never quite be as effective again, but this series proves with every episode that it’s far from a one-trick pony.

Provided the team feels they have new mysteries in them, and can keep the level up, this is one that deserves to run and run.