‘The Hunting Party’ Season 2 premiere finally answers one question fans feared the most and it hurts
NBC's 'The Hunting Party' is back with Season 2, and we finally have the answer to the cliffhanger ending of Season 1. For those unversed, the finale of the debut season saw Oliver Odell (Nick Wechsler) in grave danger after he collapsed from exposure to a cyanide patch used by the killer, Jenna. The fans had been waiting to find out what happened to Odell, and the Season 2 premiere had the answer.
Unfortunately, the premiere delivered devastating news for fans, confirming that Odell did not survive the ordeal, making it one of The Hunting Party's most heartbreaking moments. It wasted no time in establishing the reality, showcasing Odell's grave, and confirming his death. The unexpected death of her lover left Bex Henderson (Melissa Roxburgh) to deal with the loss and its lasting consequences, as per Precinct TV. Odell's death also reinforces the show's high stakes, proving that anyone can die. Not only that, but Odell's death also has significant consequences for 'The Hunting Party,' as it removes the one character who had firsthand knowledge of The Pit and a direct connection to Lazarus, significantly slowing the effort to uncover the larger conspiracy.
Although he helped connect Bex to Lazarus in the Season 1 finale, there was clearly much more Odell could have revealed. His loss also permanently ends the developing relationship between him and Bex, a pairing that held emotional weight despite his troubling past. Odell appeared genuinely changed, giving hope that their relationship could grow, but that possibility is now gone. As Bex mourns him, there's concern that some viewers who were invested in both his character and their dynamic may lose interest, which could be a risky move for the show at this stage.
In a one-on-one interview with Collider, Roxburgh admitted she was surprised by how far the writers pushed the Season 1 cliffhangers, noting that their payoff in Season 2 was "shocking" and something she "was not expecting at all." Roxburgh also expressed doubt, "You can't trust anyone, so I don't even trust the writers." She further added that Odell could still return, "I don't know if, at the end of this season or midway through the season, they're going to be like, 'He never actually died. He's been doing a side mission."
Roxburgh also explained that secrecy and shifting dynamics continue to define 'The Hunting Party,' noting that "some of us know stuff, some of us don't," and that information-sharing remains constant. She confirmed the core team structure stays intact in Season 2, "We still have the Shane-Hassani-Bex trio that confronts everything in the field, and we still have Morales in the command center," while new faces join the team. She also added that Lazarus remains a mysterious character, "It just feels like we don't know anything about her. When we find something out, we don’t know what to make of it. What sort of leader will she be?"
