Derry Girls Season 2 (Review)

Derry Girls. © 2019 - Netflix/Channel 4

Season two of Derry Girls finally landed in America this past weekend. The six-episode season available on Netflix saw the return of teen protagonist Erin and the rest of her motley crew,  Clare, Orla, Michelle, and James.

Created by Lisa McGee, the series follows the teens as they navigate traditional teenage drama with one significant distinction. The show is set in Derry, Northern Ireland during the Troubles. The Troubles were a time of chaos as tensions and violence arose between Catholic and Protestant Irishmen. If this doesn't sound familiar to you, don't fret, you certainly aren't alone. US History classes are keen on the potato famine, and that's about all when it comes to Ireland. 

However, knowledge about the Troubles isn't necessary to enjoy and appreciate the show. A quick Google search will do, but all things considered, educating oneself on the Troubles might not be such a bad idea. A nation divided by its differences where violence and fear rule instead of communication and understanding? Sounds familiar, but I digress.

The show finds a way to present the Troubles seriously without letting it take over the narrative completely. Like its predecessor, season two of Derry Girls is comprised of six 24 minute episodes. I have to admit I wanted more. It's that good. Although there is a recurring depiction of the Troubles, the show doesn't commit to long term, seasonal arcs. Instead, it focuses on episodic arcs.

We have clear resolutions by the end of each episode. However, certain storylines introduced leave the audience wanting a little more. For instance, Erin's love life is back on the table for one of the best episodes in the season but isn't mentioned in the next. One could say that the speed at which things occur and are forgotten is an example of how life works for teens. Resilience is key.

There's a lot of dialogue that alludes to events that occurred off-screen. Although I would have loved to see these things, it is easy to see why some of the more fickle events were left out. Given the amount of time the show had for each episode, and the season as a whole, the luxury of showing us everything wasn't an option, no matter how hilarious those events could have been. Still, the show is very well written and boasts tight writing where enough time is spent on things that do end up impacting the girls most by the end of the season. 

By cutting the fluff, we get more out of the story and more from characters that left us wanting last season. James, everyone's favorite Englishman, gets way more love this season, and we build a less superficial connection to him. Furthermore, we see a stronger relationship subtly building between Erin and another character that gives the finale an extra touch of emotion and importance for all the girls.

This season brings us many new characters to love and hate. Including characters mentioned but not seen in the past. We meet an inspiring English teacher who's winged eyeliner and devil may care attitude ignites a fire in the girls to live life to the fullest. And we finally meet James' mom in all her flaky glory.

Mothers do rule this season with the audience getting a bit more from each of the girl's respective mothers. Anyone who grew up with strict and superstitious parents will laugh and appreciate the time we spend with the adults this season. From the dramatics of the mothers when a polar bear escapes multiple cities away, to the continued back and forth between Erin's Granda and Da, the show proves parents can be just as ridiculous as teens. Two of the funniest subplots of the season belong to Erin's mom, Mary. Her obsession with The Usual Suspects and the accidental death of a great aunt makes her one of the best parts of the show.

Other than The Usual Suspects, this season includes many pop culture references some younger viewers may not understand. However, the ideas and experiences surrounding them are universal. Begging your parents to go to a concert for the current best boy band, sneaking out or attending a nerdy convention are all things most of us can relate to.

The show attempts to cover a lot of ground in it's short and sweet sophomore season. Although there were some things left to be wanted, it holds up to the first one. Whether it's Michelle's raunchy, sure to fail schemes or Orla's general spaciness, the show speaks to a time in adolescence we can all relate to. It adds a bit of absurdity to typical teen situations but presents them in a way viewers can enjoy and appreciate. 

The finale marks two significant events, one that affects Northern Ireland as a whole and the other specific to the Derry Girls themselves. Season three was announced back in April by Channel 4, but a Netflix release date has yet to be announced, but all signs point to late summer 2020 release. It will be interesting to see where the series goes after the events of the finale; there will no doubt be plenty of room for more shenanigans.

Deanna Gomez is a Cinema and Television Studies lecturer and Editor in Chief of the WODC blog. She helms the Spooky Bitches horror column and is host of The Spooky Bitches Podcast.