Westworld Season 2 - How It Fails Its Characters (Review)

[@di380]

I feel as Westworld was only planned to be a single season and season 2 was just an afterthought.

[@BakaryD]

On god

[@disco.lemonade]

You may feel that, but it material was written for S01, S02 and S03. Whatever mess some claim there's in S02, it's in S02. What's not there, it's Dolores going Rambo and Maeve going Neo. I don't mind it, tho I kinda hate Evan Rachel

[@yusefendure]

It felt like season II was just poorly planned and executed.

[@yusefendure]

@clarissa35f It feels like you're puerile for attacking someone you don't know because of a disagreement. Season 2 was weak and you can't prove otherwise.

[@yusefendure]

@clarissa35f 'It feels like you were poorly planned and executed' is an ad hominem attack. It's what people like you do when they have no argument and focus on the character of the opponent instead. Since you can't defend Season 2 and know nothing about me, my point stands. Gaslighting won't work here. You can dish it but can't take it. Next...

[@S3Mi87]

"Bit of a mess" - How polite and gentle of you :)

[@pelgervampireduck]

season 2 ruined dolores, and I don't buy the "oh, bernard was made by dolores not by ford. we swear, it has always been like that" thing, that sounds like a retcon to me, I think it was clear in season 1 ford made bernard. also I'm still angry about elsie, I liked her, I rooted for her!. I wish for season 3 they stop the "multiple timelines" thing and do it in chronological order, it was a nice trick for season 1 but it's getting tiresome, and it retroactively makes the past confusing. I also don't like how they handled william, he deserved something better.

[@CFilmer]

Yeah... Elsie's story was a bummer. I didn't like how they potrayed her distrust of hosts as not empathetic of her. From her point of view, they are still a bunch of machines which went rogue. She wanted the humans to be safe from them but wasn't needlesly sadistic about it like other characters.

[@maugwei]

Absolutely! The butchered William.

[@BakaryD]

Wholeheartedly agree with you

[@Spoogebro]

@@CFilmer the wrters hinted that she might not be dead.... again

[@sullyschwartz2365]

Ford made the body, it was Dolores who made Bernard, who made his *soul* It’s not you don’t *buy* it, it’s you don’t understand it, no offense. Ford even explained that that was why he had an effect on Dolores.

[@MrBroken030]

I see how people dont like how Dolores changed but at the same time it mirrors Williams character development. They both start out pure and innocent but their morals and views get totally warped while both of them are discovering themselves in Westworld and through another.

[@letsbehonest7380]

No i don't like how they had the audience sympathizing with delores in season one they had us rooting for her hoping that she will achieve conciousness and become free thinking only for the writers to turn her into a homicidal maniac with no compassion no sympathy no struggles with moral ambiguity just a cold calculated killer they could have atleast shown her struggling with the idea of killing humans after all when she dies its not really permanent unlike with humans DETROIT BECOMES HUMAN did this type of storyline a thousand times better because those androids understood that humanity doesn't know that these awakened androids are actually conscious sentient free thinking beings and that the humans think their just advanced programming so the androids try to show the humans that they are mistaken but in this show the android we were rooting for doesn't struggle with any of that she's just a psychopath period

[@souf682]

season 3: hold my beer

[@Squanto22]

15:08 I know I'm years late, but you missed the worst thing about Maeve. She gains these nearly limitless powers that quite literally can control any hosts nearby and demonstrates this with her fight with William...... but for no reason at all is unable to use those same powers when the one thing she's been searching for (her daughter) is in danger by attacking hosts. She just lets the scene play out right in front of her

[@AlmostEthical]

Dolores and Daenerys had the same problem.

[@horizontaljames]

This is spot on; perfectly articulates most of what I felt watching this season. Season 1 was one of my favorite works of cinema of all time, especially as someone who's deeply fascinated by the mystery of consciousness, human behavior, and the possible futures of AI. Season 2 is mostly a convoluted, contrived, underwhelming mess.

[@padmevazquez4736]

I couldn’t agree more. Season 1 rises profound philosophical questions, season 2 was a different show.

[@michaelchikos7376]

Oooh the point about how the best episodes were also the most superfluous to the plot is SUCH a good point. Episode 5 was so good because it shows so well how Maeve and Dolores understand their situation: We see Maeve help out her double even though it’s “just code,” meanwhile we see Dolores reprogram Teddy. And both of them are back at the Mariposa, Maeve at the Shogun world version, Dolores at the post-masacre real version. This episode sets up Maeve and Dolores for ideological conflict- Then they never see eachother again in the season! Episode 8 was great, Aketcha is a great character and I love the idea that hosts have been aware long before season 1. But these characters should have had a role to play prior. These episodes feel somisolated from the overal plot.

[@EduardoYukio]

Absolutely wonderful analysis! I agreed with practically everything that you pointed out and it made me realise some things that I didn't get, like the Shogun World espisode being practically a filler to the season and how Dolores, as a character, sadly lost it's relevance and the characteristics that made her a fan favorite on season one. This season was hollow, confusing and rushed. Your video was right to the point from the beginning to the end and, opposite to the show, it was not underwhelming in any moment. You definitely deserve more views!

[@IntrospectiveEntertainment]

Thank you :)

[@ravenlord4]

Wonderful video. It sums up exactly how I felt about it as compared to season one. And this is a perfect example of constructive criticism -- being respectful of the material while pointing out what worked, what didn't work, and what could have been done differently to make it work. Well, based upon this video alone you have a new sub. I'm looking forward to checking out your other videos now :)

[@yusefendure]

Well said.

[@siddiqsmouse5004]

"The story never stops to get inside her head..." That's what Teddy should have been for. Hes Wyatt's ex partner and Dolores's lover and out of anyone he would be the one to crack Dolores open like an egg, if only they gave him more moments that felt like his suicide scene or the one with Peter Abernathy and Dolores.

[@tss3393]

Maeve's powers became so broken, my wife and I were calling her Lady Jesus by the end of the season.

[@MrScarabus]

Nah, she's not near Jesus. He could bring his people from dead, and what she did when bad evil shogun stab Sakura? Nothing. With her magical powers and two pocket technicians (Felix and the other guy) she could easily fix and reboot Sakura. But no, let's just carve her heart out. Delores from the other hand (with help of Lee) revive a dozen of confederados afret killing them. Why? Because. Script writers decides who lives and who dies, not characters. Very bad writing. I could barely finish watch second season and drop the series.

[@D00MRATED]

how does your video not have more views? good stuff!

[@z.z3925]

People dont know about this show if not for finally subing for got last month would never seen it.

[@algierssolja]

No one cares about this show. Its luke worm at best. Not the views HBO is looking for. Season 3 looks like trash, and it should be a different show. That said Season 1 was PHenoMenal!

[@AlmostEthical]

I liked S2 less than S1 but The Riddle of the Sphinx is my favourite episode. My only beef with that one was burning the cell with the Delos host dying an agonising death in it after system breakdown. What? That's gratuitous. Yes yes, he's in a hell of his own making, we get it. Logically, if a unit you are working on has a glitch you switch it off, not burn it and its room!

[@jkc054]

I loved Season 1, hated Season 2, won't watch Season 3.

[@disco.lemonade]

lol, it's funny... S02 is basically the same, not as good as S02, but great nonetheless and most agree. sure, it's your opinion but hating something that's basically the same thing with obvious foreseen changes in it, and skipping a third one because of it doesn't make sense. can't love S01 when it was the build of S02, even S01E10 you must hate as it's basically an extension of S02. i call this bullshit, you and your tantrums. but fuck it, it sucks being you then

[@PhongPham-lt7rr]

@@disco.lemonade Jesus fuck it is tired to read your comment. What is you fucking point?

[@spectaclesociety]

@@disco.lemonade S02 is basically the same, not as good as S02...?

[@you-jb8ef]

john smith wtf did I just read?

[@FirstnameLastname-es1ko]

It’s a bit ignorant and a tad closed minded to not even give season 3 a chance.

[@paulsmith1981]

What made the first seasons of GOT so compelling was the originality of the writing. George R.R Martin had no qualms when it came to killing off his main characters, the story was what was of utmost importance to him. This is something the writers of Westworld can't bring themselves to do, resulting in main characters getting riddled with bullets only to make miraculous recoveries. Its an unwritten rule in movies and tv shows, and its boring. Westwords characters also seem very familiar, basically cut and paste from any other show with the same formatted writing.

[@GuitarLessonCharts]

A few issues I'd add in addition. -Quite a few episodes had moments where they were plagued with audio balancing issues or characters not delivering their lines clear enough. Not sure if anyone else had noticed it but I took it as a precursor. -The constant timeline shuffling was messy af. Are we in the present? the past? another world? Arnold's memory? I know you went over this but my gripe is that No audio or visual cues were given that a cut scene was about to take place and jump us to another timeline. At least with Lost, they had audio or visual cues that handled it. -Main plot delivery was subpar. Quite a few times I was left thinking "wait did they just deliver a main plot line, and why don't I care?" -Fords character is becoming dull and predictable. Probably in part by not getting enough air time and also being knocked off in season 1. Also Anthony Hopkins acting is becoming stale and monotone probably from not having any good scenes. In general though, most of the main character's have become uninteresting to watch. I have a feeling season 2 was all about character assassination and less to due with advancing the main plot line. Things are probably just being set up for season 3.

[@margaretcummings4146]

This is petty, but it also drove me crazy how Dolores was so made up in so many scenes. She's on the road! She's a homicidal maniac now!! Why is she wearing lipstick and a Bumpit???

[@heathernks8]

I noticed the "bump it" too, lol.

[@Boredman567]

I thought Stubbs wasn't actually saying he was a host, but that his job and role mean that there's not much difference between them.

[@SourRobo8364]

At least Bernard had an awesome one-liner. Worth it!

[@reeche]

Agreed with everything. You perfectly verbalized my issues with season 2

[@danieloutzen9802]

Every scene Dolores was present in was complete shit in season 2.

[@joost199207]

Really sad how bad it got. S1 was so good, s2 is a convoluted, pretentious mess.

[@yusefendure]

Well done. Yours is one of the few objective critiques of season II. Season II was weak because the plot was poorly developed, overly complicated as you mentioned, and poorly written. With a tight plot, you have more room for character development. Season II could have had more character-driven episodes, but they would have been incongruous to the arc. If they had stuck with a similar core of writers, this season would have been far better.

[@notarobot2243]

I noticed after watching this that every character from the first season had there role flipped on its head in the second season.

[@brianfuller5868]

I enjoyed Season 1 but not Season 2. You were dead on. S.1 was character driven but S.2 ...

[@heathernks8]

Season 1 was so good, I cried. I finished season 2 today, and was exhausted. There were so many flashbacks, I had whiplash. I laughed at the "Delores rides up on William like: "S'up?"" line.😂 Great review. Subbed!

[@MariusRenn]

Couldn't agree more. Fantastic review!

[@rollyflan]

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on seasons 3 and 4!

[@alperkoc7837]

Very accurate analysis.

[@pirtu7145]

I started watching Westworld with my mother, today we saw the episode in season 2 with the doppelgangers and we both decided to stop watching. Season 1 was such a masterpiece, we could not bear the change of direction in season 2. It's a shame, but I am still very glad I watched season 1.

[@avocatobobble]

I’m sorry but this is all subjective because there are people that I talk to loved season 2 and thought it was much more exciting than the 1st season. I love both seasons and am excited for the future.

[@chesra9515]

How do I double like this video.

[@chesra9515]

This is the best way to end a show. To watch a review that that hits every point you felt while watching the show itself.

[@beeto45]

i didnt feel like watching season 2 because the first was all i needed to see; but i did wonder what direction they took it to...

[@stealthcobra1525]

Great analysis , really puts the nail on why the first season was so memorable and why season 2 really didn't work for me either... Would be curious for a video about Season 3... Although I feel it's really hard to find anyhting positive to say about it... It's a shame really that they took what was arguably one of the best first season of a show ever and turned it into the convoluted mess of empty unrelatable , dead inside robots moving between plot twists to create surprise that generate no emotion or impact whatsoever.

[@whizzytheelephantadventure1063]

They went far too ambitiously with Westworld. At times it was glorious but they aimed too high and missed the basket. Too many repetitive still talking scenes that grated against its own sense till there was nothing left. Season 1 was slow, repetitive and was guilty of being boring at times but had better delivery and tighter focus. Season 2 started off amazing but was killed by horrible pacing and teleporting characters. It also gave me the real instinctive impression that the script writers had no idea what they were taking about, and by the final episode I was sure they didn't.

[@Truthseeker21000]

If only Sizemore had not phoned in for back up and allowed Lawrence to get revenge upon MIB whilst also allowing Maeve to reunite with her daughter and allowing the hosts to happily go to greener pastures in the season finale. It would have been a more satisfying way, for me, to wrap up the series and give closure to MIB's character.

[@shrub8644]

Man you hit the nail on the head on the point about Man in Black at the end

[@guesswilsey]

Just finished season 2 and this video sums up my thoughts perfectly. But even though I was mainly disappointed I will give season 3 a chance. Hopefully they can bring the show back in focus.

[@jorgeandreslavaire]

I really think Jeffrey Wright's confusion should've been traded or interchanged periodically by pure fear. Fear for his life because he's a host in humanity's eyes and too human in the hosts' eyes. That would be much more relatable

[@thejokerspeaks]

I agree that this season had it's moments, but overall I was totally disappointed. The plot twist not only were void of emotional connection, they often made no logical or psychological sense. Having Deloris in control of her conversations with Bernard, and designing him, undermined Season 1. Maeve was veering too close to Neo in the Matrix, which makes you less concerned about her safety. Why did Teddy need to be re-programmed, didn't he just participate in a 2nd massacre, at Deloris' will, without guilt? Even such forced character development fell flat, he's still old Teddy, this time with less backbone... I am very conflicted about Episode 8, being the most memorable and at time cringe. It made no sense that meeting Logan would cause such a diversion from programming, Logan not exactly representing Dr Phil! Kidnapping someone else's wife, taking her at knife point into the desert, we would have a hard time romanticizing if this were done by the bartender to Deloris. I didn't buy him protecting Maeve and her daughter, at least not in the past, it seems like an afterthought and contradicting plot twist. At the same time, I really liked these characters, their curiosity in figuring out the park, emotional relationship to each other, and arch by the end. I'm left wishing they had been given 2-3 episodes, to further explore and develop.

[@padmevazquez4736]

Her name is DOLORES!!!!!

[@thejokerspeaks]

@@padmevazquez4736 You're upset?

[@mauromatos3124]

Great analysis, thank you. Despite all the issues with season 2, I'm still keen on watching season 3. Anyone know if it's worth it

[@StormX6]

Akecheta is the best part of Westworld season 2

[@amanammad7521]

Well..just got done with Season 3 and it made season 2 look like a masterpiece.

[@Rohit-xc3tl]

Season 3 is trash to be honest it's almost like spin off Westworld it has no continuation, I like season 2 better

[@amanammad7521]

@@Rohit-xc3tl well.. That's precisely what i meant.

[@redram5150]

By the end, I wondered if the head writer also worked on Battlestar Galactica’s “who’s a Cylon?” stupidity Maeve was horrid in that her “psychic powers” were a lazy ex machina and her story seemed to purposely drag its heels Delores was boring because her Bond villain monologuing was heavier handed than The Matrix sequel’s faux philosophy. Her lack of emotion compared to season one (Bender’s KILL ALL HUMANS joke from Futurama was more nuanced), and most of the time she was shown in cuts of her pursuing someone or thing. It was played to create tension, but fell flat Ford suddenly being a good-ish guy instead of the megalomaniac he saw him as in season 1 was a disappointment. The Forge was pointless. Its creation was more of a Maguffin than anything. Even if they made it to “the valley beyond”, they aren’t safe. It can be deleted or the power could be switched off, thereby killing all inside. A park closure from, oh I dunno, a murderous cyborg revolt can make that happen. Even the name bothered me... “FORGE”. Way to go with the forced allusion. However, forges are for creation. They don’t store. If it was a play on the room number, maybe “4-G3” I’d hate it slightly less I felt that the way suspense was created this season was purposely leaving out crucial information by chalking it up to outlandish causes, such as relying on Bernard’s POV for the majority of the season... but guess what kids! He has memory loss! Now everything is needlessly obtuse and without context. That isn’t a clever narrative device. It’s lazy storytelling indicative of the writing staff lacking ideas. I hoped for more from Shogun World. Sizemore’s redemption was one of the more compelling corners of the season. However, his death was just another instance of the wayward soul disdained and laughed at in the beginning who manages to redeem himself by opening his eyes to the hero’s truth, then sacrifices himself for the cause. It’s a tired trope. Teddy was a wasted resource. MIB’s daughter was tedious, and her confrontational behavior was a large Chekhov’s gun she’d be shot and killed.

[@komakaze1]

Sizemore's death was also pointless and counter intuitive. He walked out into gun fire. He would have bought Maeve more time by staying hidden behind a tree or anything else. Some of the logic fails in Season 2's writing were either very lazy or very rushed.

[@joshy45266]

Do season 3! That was a dumpster fire. The only thing it has in common with seasons 1 and 2 is some of the actors. Doesn't even feel like the same series

[@raresmacovei8382]

At all the Dolores complaint, it's obvious she's completely different due to the merging of Wyatt personality. Of course she's a different person now.

[@Kehvan]

All I can say is, wait for season 3...

[@teckyify]

Almost every episode has a different writer and director, they pretended it’s Black Mirror or something. Just a mess, couldnt finish it.

[@Hellsinger89]

I never knew there was a post-credits scene. I just turned it off when the credits started because I was too frustrated to care if there were any surprises.

[@lmen1990]

Basically it was ass and it ruined all the characters it did such a hood job of setting up in season 1.

[@maugwei]

Bro I endlessly agree with you. It was an SJW fk fest of trash. I loved loved loved season one! But season 2 was dog shhhhh!t. Literally ruined my year.

[@Mind_of_MATT]

What was SJW in Season 2? I haven't saw it yet & was debating on whether to pick it up on sale today or not.

[@gamesthatmatter9374]

all nudity is dick :( all female characters are strong and independent and the mens are portrayed as idiots. trash season 2 with a feminnist agenda

[@misc4580]

your comment makes me wish the dislike button actually did something

[@DmanDice]

misc Yeah well, I didn’t see you try to disprove any of his points.

[@royfr8136]

Completely agree…..But this is the curse of all series now….from Lost, Homeland, TWD, GOT.....They all turned bad…..from great to disappointing……...

[@TheRelativeUnknown]

This is well done. I like how you think.

[@nelsongsousa37]

Its like a video game. Only the original is what we remember

[@qqn4531]

Hell yeah, the plot is too complicated and it's mindfuck! Too much timelines and I was forced to check out on internet recaps of a few episodes to understand several points. And I don't appreciate what they did to Dolores and William... I don't think that's a good idea to keep going on this show (to make a season 3)

[@jakesmith9987]

Season 1 Episode 1 -- Teddy Flood is the Jesus figure...brilliant.

[@Boredman567]

I think William's story was meant to be entirely wrapped up, and the post-credits scene was supposed to be a sort of karmic hell for him, having become a host after everything he did to Delos and the inhabitants of the park. I didn't get the feeling that it really gave any decent closure to his story though. I was also dissatisfied with how his story played out this season. There were clear signs as soon as he met his daughter that he might eventually kill her, thinking she was a host. I'm not entirely opposed to that happening (or at least him attempting it), but the execution and aftermath just felt really hollow. After days of being grievously wounded and shot numerous times, including shortly before the rescue team arrives, he manages to overpower a trained guard, steal his weapon, and kill everyone else. If a character basically ends up being an untouchable demigod, and avoids any major consequences, physical and mental, then it's hard to really care what happens with his story. Ever since the rebellion started he's been literally shrugging off bullets, and it's hard to feel like he's actually a human in a dangerous situation. His daughter stresses that he's a vulnerable human in danger (both from the park and himself), but in the end none of that actually ends up mattering, or at least it's not depicted. The most emotional damage we see is him contemplating suicide for a little bit, then he just goes on to travel with Dolores. The most physical damage is him losing some fingers when Dolores sabotages his gun. We get a line at the end of the season basically saying justice isn't always served, and the evil often get away with little consequence, but it's still not compelling for the story.

[@mreogromsdal415]

lostworld?

[@jayc369]

Needlessly complicated !!!! sums it all

[@Itiswhatitis90]

I think Wyatt is amazing, u have to remember it’s not really just Dolores anymore

[@SAagreedSA]

Loved a few episodes but overall was so let down after the masterpiece of season one comparatively speaking. Still one of my favorite shows in years but holy moly what negligence in developing characters and plots

[@GeekRaj]

I'll only describe season 2 with one word : convoluted.

[@Sy0exec]

The only thing I didn't like about Season 2 is how "Samurai World" was shoe-horned in and Maeve being OP.

[@carlosdelfino3589]

when you get confused enough , that by the first 4 episodes, you want every main ccharakter to die and finally STAY dead--- you got a problem with the story -telling... unfortunately nobody you want to get rid of, actually dies and you would have to bear with them in a third season-- no thank you sir....

[@z.z3925]

I loved the blonde lady. Then felt sad about aging that has occurred to the riddick lady did not fit role any longer perhaps 7 years ago...but ending was so confusing i did not understand anything.

[@mystory2914]

Thank you. I agree.

[@nelsongsousa37]

Thank you season 1! At least setting the pace for a 5k run.

[@unknownchannel3141]

It's terrible. Season three totally massacres the characters.

[@xusword]

I put off seeing westworld season 2 for over 2 years. Kind of because: I didn't want to ruin the experience that season 1 gave me.

[@robxsiq7744]

Season 2 wasn't as great as season 1 for sure...but I would say Westworld was S1 and S2. S3 didn't exist imo and we should pretend it never happened. I would like for them to basically kill off season 3 entirely, and just rewind time, showing medievalworld or whatever for season 4, showing maybe a few of them waking up. The story of sentience is a fascinating one, far more than the determinism vs freedom stuff they are pushing

[@kranschannel7247]

Dolores is worst character I've ever seen in television history

[@MrBrysonification]

Are you the same dude from Up From the Depth? If not your voice is identical.

[@IntrospectiveEntertainment]

Yes I am!

[@DoveSharma]

I entirely stopped giving a shit after the 1st 15 minuted of episode 10

[@decayingSineWave]

am sure ssn 1 and 2 were written by two different teams

[@vincentleeadams]

The second season is woke crap, I want my money back!

[@aphexlane]

Season 2 is like a completely unnecessary autopsy of season 1.

[@miguedro]

Again, you need to more videos. Please.

[@GigiMoon846]

Season 2 was not good as season 1 because William and bernard was more complex characters not flat and their stories had to be great,,especially mib deserved better.

[@MB-iv3fy]

So you found season 8 of GoT good and somehow this is a mess... your opinion is kinda worthless

[@epicjonny155]

You changed your channel name!

[@IntrospectiveEntertainment]

Rebrand!

[@lordmclovin3694]

Zombie polar bears

[@dallasisgood]

Can't believe you didn't like the show because the bad guy did bad things. Maeve is and always has been the hero of the story.

[@drlee2]

Agree about 2x04, great episode, but 2x05 is the worst episode of the series and 2x08 is overrated. And there is a LOT of bad acting in Season 2.

[@jessruhl24]

I just hated charlotte so much that I found season 2 hard to watch

[@brianboitano3432]

Episode 5 was easily the worst

[@kaceym6903]

Terrible show imo. Also, why all the unnecessary sex scenes and nudity? Disappointing.

[@mfreeman493]

I stoped watching after episode 2

[@cinemaster9012]

The dialogue is garbage in season 2!

[@Kickback223]

So do you have to be some kind of shogun nerd to enjoy episode 4 because it felt very generic like a toddler watched some anime and wrote a story about it

[@TheDresen12]

season 2 is pretty annoying !!! storytelling is way to confusing and also way to complex ... ok some twists are very cool and also some episodes are brillant, but overall the brilliance of the first season is gone ...

[@leestrz4153]

Please force yourself to sit through season 3 and 4 like I did. Man what a disaster.

[@IntrospectiveEntertainment]

@leestrz4153 Oh I did, and yes, it gets significantly worse

[@alexanderbrolin31]

Samuraiworld was really weak part.....so boring :(

[@letsbehonest7380]

Nah i like the critical drinkers review on westworld much better he tells it like it is

[@Jezza_One]

Struggled with S2 episode 1 but I just couldn’t get through the second episode and abandoned the whole series.

[@hungothanh4913]

they should have ended in season 1

[@disco.lemonade]

just because you don't like it, it should've ended? fuck you lol

[@balvsmalvs5425]

They have ruined an outstanding thing.

[@kingd1822]

We all know why they made Dolores the terminator, it is to degrade and destroy every great established male character for the sake of femme empowerment

[@joelittle7808]

Absolutely 100% right across the board from start to finish here. I felt like they had 2 seasons plotted out from the beginning, and ended up putting one and a half of them in season 1 making it densely layered in a way people struggled with, but paid off amazingly well. Season 2 felt like the orher half both stretched out to get from the opening to the finale to set up the next season, and yet rushed so they just had big random information dumps just drop off via clunky exposition scenes, and a lot of the "mysyeries" weren't hidden truths now, they were just unfinished thoughts people could have explained by asking eachother stuff, like "Oh there's lots of parks? What are the other ones?" Or, "Hey do you work here?"