‘After Life’ Season 2 Ending Explained: Who is Tony's new love and do we need a Season 3 just to tell us that?

While the Netflix show helmed by Ricky Gervais hits hard in the chest with life lessons, we could do with a few more punchlines and dark humor, wouldn't we?
PUBLISHED APR 24, 2020
Tony and Emma (Netflix)
Tony and Emma (Netflix)

There's always a reason to smile, you just need to look for it. Netflix's new black comedy-drama ‘After Life’ is back and that may be the key to unlock the vault of happiness. In Season 2, Ricky Gervais charts the same path as Season 1 but makes sure it hits you hard.

The series revolves around Tony Johnson, who had a magical marital life with his wife Lisa (Kerry Godliman) until she dies from breast cancer. After contemplating taking his own life, he decides instead to live long enough to punish the world by saying blasphemous words and doing whatever he likes. But the people around him change him and he starts to see life with a pair of new eyes.

Tony and Lisa (Netflix)

In season two, Tony is a kinder, better, and happier version of himself—or at least, he's trying to be. The biggest question after the first installment was: Who will Tony's new lover be—the cemetery lady, the nurse, or the prostitute? After unsettling complex relationship hurdles, the series ends on a joyous note. Death knocks at his door again, this time taking his father's life. After trying umpteen times, he is still not ready to take his relationship with the nurse, Emma (Ashley Jensen) one step ahead. He sets up his prostitute friend Roxy/Daphne (Roisin Conaty) will Postman Pat (Joe Wilkinson).

As the season ends, everyone seems to have moved on with new partners. His old cemetery friend, Anne (Penelope Wilton) finds a new partner. After his brother-in-law Matt's (Tom Basden) marriage is on the rocks, he rediscovers love with his wife, Jill (Laura Patch). Who does Tony end up with then? His one-and-only partner, his dog Brandy (Anti) stays by his side. 

Ricky Gervais as Tony (Netflix)

In the end, his wife Lisa demands he say "good night." Without that, she cannot sleep. And he finally says the words, even if it means answering video clips of his long-deceased wife. "Good. Now I can sleep," she tells him as Tony chokes with tears. The haunting lyrics of 'Silence' by Don Diablo play in the background and his dog still gives him a reason to live. In the end, his doorbell rings and Emma comes in. She says, "I'll take 'Groundhog Day'." He keeps the drugs back in his pocket. And on that note, the season ends with the classic notes of Sufjan Stevens' 'The Only Thing'.

Does that mean Tony is finally ready to accept a new relationship in his life? Guess we'll only know if the Netflix series is renewed for Season 3. Gervais might pen down a new series, but are we ready for it? While the show hits hard in the chest with life lessons, we could do with a few more punchlines and dark humor, wouldn't we? If you haven't caught up with the show, tune into Netflix and binge-watch six episodes each from the two seasons. 

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