Gary McCurry reviews the first episode of Bloodline season 2…
The haunting opening credits gives life to season two of Bloodline. Questions remain unanswered while new ones pile up as we take a trip to Florida Keys and are Welcomed, once again to Rayburn House.
The visual style is as distinctive as always, using lens flare and striking images to communicate its narrative and surroundings. Dotting between John, Meg and Kevin Rayburn, we see the ghosts of their past still playing havoc with their minds. Each having forged their own paths as well as attempting to stray array from the one that connects them all in taking the life of brother, Danny.
More of a reminder episode than anything, reintroducing us to the players and the fall out of what has gone before. We do however get instances of where the show could be heading this season. John (Kyle Chandler) has problems both at home and abroad as the investigation continues to find links to his brothers murder. These problems come in the shape of Danny’s apparent son turning up out of the blue, wondering into his home and seemingly knowing more than he’s letting out. If that’s not enough his partner at the force, Marco is digging deeper in the Lawry case that could lead him to discovering the part John played was much more than he bargained for.
In true Bloodline fashion, the first episode only gives you enough to wet the palette. I’m hoping that unlike last season, establishing episodes like this are less frequent. Also, the time spent on character development will be extended to the women of Bloodline including Meg, John’s wife and Kevin’s wife, Dee as in the past they normally got relegated to bit parts stuck in between their more fully formed male counterparts.
The acting can’t be faulted as each bring a certain degree of truth and commitment that was always found in this Netflix original. During the shows last 10 minutes they begin to create many threads for the rest of the season to explore.
Looking to prove there is life after Ben Mendelsohn’s character, season two is looking forward from the get go. Now so am I.
Gary McCurry
Originally published May 30, 2016. Updated October 29, 2022.
