Released: 16th August 2019 (All Regions)
Created by: Joe Penhall
Number of Episodes: 9
Where to Watch: Netflix
Starring: Jonathon Groff, Holt McCallany, Anna Torv, Cotter Smith, Stacey Roca, Joe Tuttle and Michael Cerveris
After a two-year wait, one of Netflix’s more fascinating offerings has returned for another round of criminal profiling; if the producing pedigree is anything to go by, its grip on viewers hasn’t lessened a bit.
Picking up right after the first season, we once again follow Special Agents Holden Ford (Jonathon Groff) and Bill Tench (Holt McCallany) and their partner Wendy Carr (Anna Torv) as they continue their investigations into the psychology of serial killers on an ever-growing scale. This time, we investigate the Atlanta murders, a set of crimes that unfolded from 1979 to 1981, bringing politically charged attention to the black neighbourhoods in the area. With a more definitive plot thread to follow, there’s a gradual build-up as the police operation in the area becomes more encompassing and the waiting game to catch the suspect grows more pronounced. We move back and forth between varying character perspectives. While season one mostly homed in on Ford’s workings and his desire to take a deep dive into the criminally insane, the second season broadens its scope. Things feel more spread out and ultimately more balanced, with every character getting their own side story that enhances the roles they play in the narrative. For example, Holden finds himself coordinating with the locals in Atlanta on the side which brings much more detail to the setting and context. Unlike the first season where the interviews were fairly contained, this time an entire community is angry and confused by the horrific events, thus upping the stakes. The only issue in the season is that some threads are put aside in the final episodes, which focus squarely on Ford and Tench while leaving other characters out.
All the characters are again excellently performed with each actor channelling the more personal struggles seen in the season. The heavy dialogue and verbal sparring that forms the central pillar of the series continues to tease out plenty of informational morsels throughout the nine episodes and are all impeccably captured by the performances. On the other side of the coin, we have more personal problems hanging over the main characters. The most notable side story here comes from Bill Tench, who is forced to deal with with a very difficult and sensitive situation concerning his adopted son, the details of which are best left unrevealed. Expanding on its original set of serial killers, we’re treated to often captivating sequences with more infamous names this time around, including Charles Manson (played very well by Damon Herriman) among others. We’re also treated to the more wide-reaching elements of the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit as the newcomer Ted Gunn (Michael Cerveris) seeks to uplift the sector’s reputation through fancy dinners and formal events. These scenes provide a greater variety to the proceedings while also showing the results of the BSU’s work put on display.
A bigger crime has also brought bigger production values for Mindhunter Season 2 and these go a long way towards making things more immediate and challenging for our cast of characters. An extended list of extras from the media, local police forces and government operations all join the investigations in an expansive effort, with the camera often panning over the surrounding forests to show the size of the manhunt. Just like last time, the sets and costuming are all picture perfect and the lighting continues to make use of saturated yellows and greys to ground the proceedings. All told, the show is every bit as absorbing as it was originally.
Outside of some elements that are tossed aside in the final few episodes, Mindhunter’s second case file is another immensely intriguing outing; just about every character gets more to do and the scale feels greater in many ways. It continues to be that rare series that respects its audience’s attention and interest, delivering plenty of fascinating threads to tear into.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars (Brilliant)