Twisted Metal Season 2 - ITS ACTUALLY GOOD NOW?! - Angry Review

Quick Overview

Season 2 of Twisted Metal shows significant improvement over season 1, particularly from episode 3 onwards, with better jokes, more engaging plot points, and faithful characterizations, despite early episodes still containing elements the reviewer disliked.

Key Points: Twisted Metal season 2 shows significant improvement, with episode 3 being a "genuinely good episode" that aligns more with the game's spirit. The season features "better jokes that land more effectively" and "more faithful character designs" for characters like Axel and Mr. Grim. Sweet Tooth and Axel are highlighted as the "bright spots" of the season so far, with Sweet Tooth's interactions and the show's self-aware humor being particularly praised. While episodes 1 and 2 of season 2 still contained "annoying" elements and "unforgivable" writing reminiscent of season 1, episode 3 marks a turning point. The reviewer notes a "car battle in each episode so far," fulfilling a key desire from season 1's lack thereof. Despite season 1 receiving a 67% critic score and 93% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, the reviewer's personal rating for the season 2 premiere is a "wildly misleading four out of 10" due to the poor quality of the first two episodes, but overall, the direction is seen as promising, potentially a "six out of 10 for the premiere, but waited almost fully for the third episode."

Context: The review discusses the first three episodes of Twisted Metal season 2, comparing it to the first season which received mixed reactions from audiences and critics. The reviewer, who was particularly harsh on season 1, expresses surprise at the improvements seen in the early part of season 2, especially episode 3. The discussion touches on audience reception, the show's premise of a car combat tournament, and the effectiveness of its humor and character portrayals, contrasting it with the original video games.

Detailed Analysis

The review of Twisted Metal season 2's first three episodes reveals a marked improvement over the first season, which the reviewer found largely annoying and setup-heavy, with too few car battles. While episodes 1 and 2 of season 2 still contained elements the reviewer disliked, such as weak character introductions and unfunny jokes reminiscent of season 1, episode 3 is highlighted as a genuinely good episode. The season is praised for better jokes that land more effectively, more faithful character designs (like Axel and Mr. Grim), and a more direct alignment with the video game's spirit, including the eventual tournament. Specific characters like Sweet Tooth and Axel are called out as highlights, with Sweet Tooth's interactions and the show's self-aware humor being particularly praised. The reviewer notes that while the early episodes of season 2 felt like a continuation of season 1's flaws, the latter half of the premiere, especially episode 3, demonstrated a clear upward trend. The release strategy of weekly episodes is questioned for a premium service, but the eventual chunked release is seen as more palatable. Despite initial harsh criticism of season 1, the reviewer acknowledges the significant improvement in season 2, attributing it partly to a more focused creative team and a better understanding of what makes Twisted Metal enjoyable: car battles, dark humor, and recognizable characters.