I went into Season 1 of American Vandal not knowing what to expect and what I experienced was a very unique TV show. Certainly, it was a season of television whose mockumentary style was something I was not particularly familiar with. I really enjoyed Season 1 of American Vandal and I was curious to see where a second season would go.
In this second season, a new mystery centred around an antagonist called “The Turd Burglar” would be the task that Peter Maldonado (Tyler Alvarez) and Sam Ecklund (Griffin Gluck) would have to take on in order to expose “The Turd Burglar”.
I hoped Season 2 of American Vandal would be as compelling and ridiculous as Season 1. Still, I was slightly worried that a drop-off in quality would happen with Season 2 compared to Season 1 of American Vandal.
My Thoughts On American Vandal Season 2
In the end, Season 2 of American Vandal does some things better than Season 1 but it also does other things worse. This all combines to create a second season of television that is, in the end, equal to the first. Season 2, like Season 1, did a very good job at keeping me entertained with its ridiculous, compelling narrative.
Literally, how could anyone not be slightly captivated in the absurdity of this show when stuff such as the “Poop piñata”, “Shit Launcher” and “Fruit Ninja” are key components of the narrative in this season of American Vandal, especially from a comedic perspective. Undoubtedly, the style of comedy from Season 1 carried over into Season 2 of American Vandal and the second season of this show is funny.
Yet, I would say that Season 1’s humour was more hard-hitting than Season 2 and the main reason why is because Kevin McClain (Travis Tope), the victim of Season 2, is not as amusing, compelling and/or sympathetic as Dylan Maxwell (Jimmy Tatro), the victim of Season 1.
A lot of the best comedic moments in Season 1 came through Dylan and, sadly, the same level of quality was not achieved with Kevin in Season 2 of American Vandal. As a result, I would say that the quality of comedy in Season 1 of American Vandal is better than Season 2.
However, where Season 2 triumphs over Season 1 is, firstly, how it has a great antagonist in “The Turd Burglar” and, secondly, how well it dealt with important themes such as privilege, injustice, isolation and living in the digital age. This gave the second season of American Vandal more depth than the first.
My Final Thoughts on American Vandal Season 2
Moreover, I also believe that the plot in Season 2 was better thought out and layered than the first which you come to realise in a big way in the season finale, titled ‘The Dump’, which was phenomenal. Everything came together in the finale and it elevated Season 2 to a place where it is equal to Season 1 in its overall quality.
If you are a fan of the first season, then I think you will really like Season 2 once you get the chance to watch it on Netflix and I am personally very interested to see where a third season of American Vandal could go. Perhaps we could have a new story in college that deals with fraternities/sororities.
We will have to wait and see what transpires in this regard but American Vandal is such a great television series that it would be a waste if it did not continue and explore new territory in terms of themes and ridiculous premises.
