This second season of The Alienist, which feels more like a sequel and is based on the book sequel Angel of Darkness. Psychiatrist Laszlo Kreizler (played by Daniel Brühl), John Moore (Luke Evans), now a reporter, and Sara Howard (Dakota Fanning), now a private detective, reunite to hunt down a baby killer. I think I liked this more than the first.
The length was cut down from ten episodes to eight and I think that really helped with the pacing. Subplots and the mystery don't feel dragged out like last time did a little.
Brühl, Evans, and Fanning remain a powerhouse acting triumvirate. The personal subplot of Kreizler, whose storyline last season was wrapped up, feels undercooked. Moore and Howard, whose romantic tension carries over from last season, have a lot more to work with.
The character of former police commissioner Thomas Byrnes is greatly improved here. Ted Levine gave a good performance last time, don't get me wrong, but the character felt a little thin. Here, he's given more to do and is written more nuanced. You understand him more and he's an interesting morally ambiguous character. One of his highpoints this season is his many behind-the-scenes scheming sessions with William Randolph Hearst (Matt Letscher), which is one of the best additions this season.
The antagonist here is more interesting than last time.
The show continues to do a great job working with the historical setting, including the topics of Hearst's yellow journalism and the climate just before the beginning of the Spanish-American War. Visually, the show's depiction of 19th century New York still looks really, really good, especially considering this is for cable television. My hats off to whoever designed Fanning's outfits. They are all so unique and expertly compliment the character and the actress' distinct features.
Be forewarned that like last season, this show goes DARK. Although, I'm pleased that this season didn't feel like it crossed the line and pushed things too hard like they did with that one scene with Moore last time.
I did feel that there were too many "blatantly uncaring establishment" characters shoved in the audience's face. Also, there is an element in the show that is big at first but suddenly feels completely and unsatisfactorily abandoned by the end.
Overall, if you liked or kind of liked the last one, I recommend this slicker version.
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