Altered Carbon: Season 2 – Netflix Review

ALTERED CARBON Season 2 is out on Netflix. The cast is largely new with Anthony Mackie portraying Takeshi Kovacs. However, we still see a lot of familiar faces – most importantly Poe. Read our Altered Carbon Season 2 review here!

Altered Carbon Season 2 is out on Netflix now. The cast is largely new – due to the nature of the plot – and we now get Anthony Mackie as Takeshi Kovacs. In episode 1, we see how Anthony Mackie becomes the new face of Takashi Kovacs.

Recommended reading: Check out our season 1 review of the Netflix series Altered Carbon here >

Continue reading our Altered Carbon season 2 review below and check it out on Netflix.

From a season 1 recap straight into season 2

Yes, the first episode of season 2 begins with a recap of Altered Carbon season 1. In other words, you will get a quick reminder of certain plot points from the first season.

However, a lot is also left out of the Altered Carbon season 1 recap which means you get a good indication of where the focus will be in Altered Carbon season 2. Personally, I was sad to see many characters left largely out of the recap since they were interesting to me.

With season 2, the storyline doesn’t grab me the same way the first season did. I really like Anthony Mackie is just about everything. I love him in the Marvel Universe and the Black Mirror episode “Striking Vipers. Unfortunately, this Netflix series isn’t using his abilities to their full potential.

The action scenes are gorgeous but he’s so much more than an action hero. I just feel like Joel Kinnaman had a lot more to work with in season 1. Or at least, he got to delve deeper into many aspects of his character. Anyway, we’ll soon see Anthony Mackie in The Woman in the Window (2020) so I look forward to that.

Don’t worry, Poe is still there!

While the main protagonist Takeshi Kovacs is now portrayed (mostly anyway) by Anthony Mackie, we also see some familiar faces.

Most importantly, we still get the AI “Poe” in exactly the same form as in season 1. He was portrayed so wonderfully by Chris Connor the first time around. Also, since he’s an AI, there is no reason why he would suddenly look different.

In any case, to me, the Poe character (and Chris Connor’s portrayal of him) means I quickly found myself feeling “at home” in the story. Of course, he is a bit damaged after the events of season 1, but this just becomes an integrated part of the plot.

Most of the actual plot just doesn’t do much for me. All of the novelty of this universe has somehow worn off. It feels both lazy and sloppy at many points. One example is characters talking about something that only one of them should have knowledge of.

When you find yourself thinking “Wait, why does he know that Takeshi is looking for those people?” it just irritates you. Mostly because that kind of thing breaks the spell of watching a story unfold.

Among other really interesting new characters, I want to highlight the bounty hunter Trepp. She is portrayed perfectly by Simone Missick (Luke Cage), who really delivers some wonderfully salty lines. Also, she has awesome chemistry with Anthomy Mackie – in a non-romantic way.

Watch Altered Carbon season 2 on Netflix now!

Altered Carbon season 2 consists of 8 episodes which means it has two episodes less than the first season. The runtime is still around 45 minutes so nothing has changed there. If you enjoyed season 1, then you obviously need to check out this second season.

I’m just not sure how people will feel about it. I mean, I know I feel disappointed right now but that’s mostly because a lot of the “magic” is gone for me. I especially also loved the humor in season 1 and this second season is much darker. However, it’s more in terms of action and violence rather than plot. Which is a shame.

Usually, I would be happy with something being darker. It just feels like something is missing. Also, I have to mention the cinematography which I did not enjoy. I especially started noticing this during episode 2 of this second season. There are so many cuts and different angles during the most simple dialogues.

It ruins your concentration and removes focus from what is being said. And a lot of facts and semi-unknown words are being thrown around, so you do need to stay focused. Look, it’s not that I hate this second season or anything. I’m just feeling very disappointed and not very excited to watch the final half of it.

Season 2 of Altered Carbon is out on Netflix worldwide from February 27, 2020.

Details

Creator: Laeta Kalogridis
Stars: Anthony Mackie, Chris Conner, Simone Missick, Lela Loren, Torben Liebrecht, James Saito, Will Yun Lee