'NOS4A2' Season 2 Episode 1: A slow push into the narrative does justice to an eerie and dramatic storyline
Spoilers for 'NOS4A2' Season 2 Episode 1 'Bad Mother'
The much-awaited premiere of AMC's 'NOS4A2' Season 2 was a slow one, with a balance of drama and suspense enough to leave us wanting more. While the Season 1 finale saw Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings) burn Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto), the Season 2 trailer promised us a very alive Charlie. His new victim? Wayne McQueen (Jason David), Vic's son.
The premiere episode titled 'Bad Mother' saw Vic, eight years down the line since the events of Season 1, still reeling from PTSD. At the news of Charlie dying in prison, she feels that he's alive and the end of the episode proves that. It seems that that series didn't hint at Wayne being Chalie's next victim yet — a great refresher, because now, not only can we explore new characters but we also have room for more interesting narratives.
While Season 1's finale saw the death of Wayne's biological father Craig (Dalton Harrod) in Charlies 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith, it also saw her end up with series newcomer Lou Carmody (Jonathan Langdon). 'Bad Mother' brings to light the dynamics between Lou and Vic, even as she tries to not fall over the edge as she's haunted by her past with Charlie. With Craig's death still on her mind, eight years down the line, her fear of and battle with Charlie may not be the only important plotline.
Lou knows everything supernatural there is to know about Vic and Charlie, but he also brings a human, non-magic side to Vic's narrative. Reminding her that he and Wayne should be enough, he tells Vic that she needs professional help when she had ended up setting fire to the family home after putting cellphones in the oven because they would not stop ringing. We know from the trailer that Vic is hell-bent on making sure Charlie is dead, but now Lou is a roadblock, nor is she aware that Wayne is Charlie's next victim, yet.
The family aspect was introduced quickly along with the absurdities of Christmasland — Charlie's twisted imagination world where he dumps the remains of children he'd ripped souls out of. It's interesting to see how those worlds will collide — will Vic give up and focus on her budding family, or go on another rat's chase behind Charlie?
Another interesting narrative the slow premiere offered is that of Vic leaving to the Lake through her Inscape on her motorbike after telling Wayne that he's safer with Daddy (Lou). While we know that an Inscape is an imaginary world dreamt up by Vic who is a Strong Creative, we also know that her Inscape can be brought into the real world with the use of her Knife. This is an object that allows Creatives to cut the fabric between the real world and the 'world of thought' giving them the ability to access their Inscape.
Vic's motorbike is her Knife and Charlie's 1938 Rolls Royce Wraith is his Knife. As we said, Vic has no idea Wayne is who Charlie is after, so her obsession with Charlie has pulled her away from keeping Wayne safe. Not bringing the Wayne-Charlie narrative in yet, allows for a suspenseful narrative to foster a bit. What does Vic encounter at the Lake, and will Lou be able to ward off Charlie? Not to mention, was this Charlie's plan? Lure Vic away to avenge the death of Craig, as he makes his way to Wayne?
While most might not enjoy the slow start, we think it called for an intriguing season with many narratives already with loose ends. Rushing to the main plotline would have removed the essence of what the series is based on and that is horror. Vic's fear of Charlie is vividly showcased in the episode, leading to so many questions about her safety and the safety of her son.
It was a bold choice to start slow, but it definitely did justice to an already eerie storyline making room for the development of these dramatic characters. 'NOS4A2' Season 2 episodes air on Sundays at 10 pm ET on AMC.