'Raising Dion' Season 2 Review: Promising show for children let down by poor execution
Set two years after the defeat of the Crooked Man, Season 2 of 'Raising Dion' sees Dion continue honing his superpowers with the help of his mother, Nicole. Assisting Dion and Nicole is Tevin, a Biona trainer who also seems to have caught Nicole's eye.
The new season of 'Raising Dion' has Braden return in a meatier role that adds complications and poses new challenges. The character's role and impact were minimal in the previous season and the continuation of that story arc is a great move by the creators.
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We also get to see Dion's bonds, both with his mother and his friends, grow stronger. A major chunk of the show is about the relationship that Dion shares with his mother. The two get ample screen time and make the most of it. The friendship angle works wonderfully too and the scenes where Dion, Esperanza, and Jonathan look out for each other are just too heartwarming.
Sadly, Season 2 of 'Raising Dion' feels like a rehash of its maiden outing. Though the writers have tried to up the ante, the antagonist just isn't menacing enough and doesn't challenge Dion much. There are some action sequences spread throughout the show but they are few and far between. This is understandable given the target age group but I'm wondering if the writers are aware of the fact that the bar for action in superhero dramas has been set quite high ever since Marvel's tele-series came out.
The attempt to add more characters and events bogs the narrative down and takes away the attention from other important things taking place. The visual effects work for most parts but are tacky at times. Ja'Siah Young fares decently at playing Dion. However, it feels like his range of emotions is somewhat restricted, but Young emanates copious amounts of kindness which makes any harsh criticism dissipate. The soundtrack, an eclectic mix of genres, blends seamlessly and elevates scenes when necessary.
The runtime might be an issue for a show like this, with most episodes crossing the 40-minute mark. There are more bones to pick but 'Raising Dion' is made for children and we cannot expect such shows to be meticulous about logic over fantasy. All in all, it is a promising show that would've been a memorable experience if the writing and execution were a tad more polished.
Season 2 of 'Raising Dion' is currently streaming on Netflix
