Following a successful debut season that pushed the boundary of murder mystery storytelling, Rian Johnson’s Poker Face is back for more murder-of-the-week mayhem. Still on the run, Charlie (Natasha Lyonne) stumbles her way into more murder investigations full of liars, while meeting a few new friends along the way.
The most unique element of this series has always been its approach of showing the murder (and murderer) then having us follow Charlie as she uncovers the who and why. It’s a formula that nearly every episode has stuck to, and one that hasn’t become even slightly repetitive after 22 episodes. Every episode harnesses the power of A-list guest stars and a revolving door of directors to give each mystery its own identity and a fresh vibe. No two narratives feel the same – Johnson is constantly subverting our expectations with twists aplenty to keep the experience feeling new. As with any anthology, some mysteries hit a little harder than others, but that’s the risk you take with hitting the reset button with (almost) every episode. I say ‘almost’ as this season, while sticking to that murder-of-the-week structure, has a few episodes that break the formula and do something completely different. While the formulaic anthology content works a treat, these unique episodes are a breath of fresh air that allow the series to explore new ideas and push Charlie’s journey in new directions. The charm of the series may be its trademarked structure, but some of my favourite moments of the season are where it goes rogue with its FBI investigative elements.
Speaking of the FBI, the first season had an overarching narrative in the form of a cat-and-mouse chase giving context to why Charlie was constantly shifting locations. This season largely does away with that, a choice I was initially concerned about, but one that doesn’t impact the quality whatsoever. The episodic mysteries are able to carry the season in a way that an overarching throughline, though desired, isn’t necessary. Charlie moving from location to location is more tied to her desire to find a place she can fit in and belong as opposed to a necessity of survival.
As with those episodic narratives, I’m still impressed by Johnson’s ability to use creative twists and a flurry of red herrings to turn each mystery into a thrilling adventure. There’s always been an element of silliness in Poker Face, from Charlie’s entirely unserious yet caring demeanour to the situations that result in murder. In this season, the absurdity of some episode concepts is ramped up considerably. For the most part, the series embraces the campiness, but in a couple of instances it almost gets too wild for its own good. Yes, I’m looking at you episode 4. That episode tries something completely crazy and it feels tonally detached from everything else. Thankfully it’s just a one-off and the series gets back to it deep, character-centric mysteries from episode 6. I’d say 5, but that episode lacks interesting personalities to go up against Charlie, and thus isn’t as impactful.
The revolving door of guest stars is a blast – part of the fun is seeing which names show up in the opening credits and then getting excited to see how they factor into the story. One of the series’ greatest accomplishments is its ability to introduce characters you love or love to hate in such a short amount of time. The quality of the writing is seen in the dialogue, specifically in moments where characters are going toe-to-toe with Charlie. Charlie’s unique, playful personality makes way for plenty of hilarious interactions with nearly everyone around her. Whether the guest stars have a more eccentric persona or a grounded, reserved one, it paves the way for interesting dynamics that aren’t repetitive in the slightest. One of my favourite episodes of the season is one where much of the supporting cast are kids. It’s hilarious to see how being surrounded by kids changes the way Charlie goes about her business and results in another unique episodic experience.
As much as this is Rian Johnson’s baby, Natasha Lyonne can’t be credited enough for how integral she is in the success of this series. The show’s witty dialogue, comedic timing and memorable one-liners can all be traced back to the strength of Lyonne’s performance. So much of the series’ quirkiness is dictated by her performance and cadence, with wonderful wit and infectious charm making her an phenomenal protagonist. Navigating the murder mysteries is one thing, but doing so through the lens of a chaotic personality like Charlie makes it priceless. As much as this series is hilarious, I’m constantly reminded through Lyonne’s presence that there’s a caring, emotionally impactful angle too. Her acting range allows her to deliver heartfelt beats where necessary and not have them impact the tone, adding layers to what is already a thoroughly entertaining watch.
Pivoting from her acting abilities, I need to highlight her apparent knack for directing. Johnson directs one episode himself, and there’s names like Ti West who pop in for a feature, but it’s Lyonne who shines with the two episodes she helms. Both of her episodes are very well crafted and just as visually intriguing as they are narratively. The finale, which she helms, is damn-near impeccable in terms of how the chaotic narrative is married with the cinematic visuals and a clear artistic vision. She has a keen eye for what makes a thrilling, concise, beautiful episode of TV, and I hope she continues to flex that creative muscle.
In the end, Poker Face continues to dominate the murder mystery market with a viewing experience unlike anything else out there. Rian Johnson’s knack for subverting expectations and injecting a little camp into his projects is what makes this series such a blast. Each episode takes on a new case full of twists, turns and hilarious personalities for Charlie to interact with. In terms of overall consistence, the first season has a slight leg up, but this sophomore season reaches peaks only possible due to the series’ evolution. If you love a murder mystery and haven’t experience this yet, cut the bullshit because it’s a must-watch.
9.2/10
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