MovieChat Forums > Les revenants (2013) Discussion > Desperately disappointed with S2

Desperately disappointed with S2


I watched episode 1 of series 2 on More4 last night, and I was desperately disappointed with it. It seemed to be a case of "let's see how many weird things we can fit into an hour's viewing." The biggest strength of the first series was the atmosphere. It had the real feel of small-town life, especially the scenes in the Lake Pub. Last night's episode had no life at all. The living were more like zombies than the returned. Yes, I know the town is nearly empty now, but that doesn't mean it would have no atmosphere, just a different atmosphere. Surely the people at the Helping Hand do something more all day than standing in circles holding hands? And is there nowhere else that people can meet, now that the Lake Pub is closed? Even the new investigator looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights, before he even reached the place! And how did the returned manage to find themselves a town all of their own? How did they buy the houses, and did the neighbours not complain? I realise that this question may be answered later in the series, but I doubt I'll be impressed with the explanation. I'm not giving up on the series yet, but I'm not getting my hopes up either.

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Surely the people at the Helping Hand do something more all day than standing in circles holding hands?


The Helping Hand was always kind of relaxed when it came to actually doing stuff. All they did in series one was chat and give people beds and food, which is pretty much what they're doing now. Since Frederic said there were new recruits, I assume they're planning something a bit bigger though.

And is there nowhere else that people can meet, now that the Lake Pub is closed?


I'm sure they could meet in other places but one of the men said that most restaurants, cafes and social places have closed. The diner and the helping hand are really the only places left open.

And how did the returned manage to find themselves a town all of their own? How did they buy the houses, and did the neighbours not complain?


They didn't buy the houses, I'm pretty sure they're just living in houses that were cut off from the rest of the town by the flood. That's why they can get to the living so quickly, the dead either use a raft or swim. Presumably, they could easily be reached themselves, but I suppose nobody is bothered about what they think are flooded houses when they're focused on the dam and the dead. I forgot the woman's name (the one who asked Adele to leave with her), but she implied that there were plenty leaving, so I guess there were lots of empty houses for the dead to use.

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Actually, that is a pretty good explanation for the houses. I never would have thought of that. Obviously there are areas that are inaccessible, because when the ambulance, and later the police car, take the usual route, they find themselves on a dirt track in the woods.

My questions about the pub and the Helping Hand were rhetorical. I was just making the point that where the first series showed ordinary life going on in extraordinary circumstances, there was nothing in this but long faces and hand-wringing.

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I love the second season, but I've already seen six episodes so maybe that helps. So far episode 1 was the weakest imo, but that doesn't mean it was bad.

That being said, I disagree completely with you about the atmosphere.Don't get me wrong, what you wrote is true, but at the same time, for me it's pretty clear that NOTHING can or should be the same after the events from season 1.

For me the change that happened: the town, its social life, people who still live there-all of this works perfectly, because everytime I was thinking about season 2 I always thought it's going to be like that: "heavy", depressing and...messy.

Big and - in many ways - inexplicable tragedy happened. Those who "know" live in their own hell (Jerome, Adele, Lena, Clair), those who don't know (army people) are trying to understand wtf is going on here and why these people are so weird and defensive.

Not everything works perfectly in s.2 but the atmosphere of depression, sadness and death is stronger than ever. And Gobert builds this atmosphere in a very effective (at least for me) way. His obsession with details in scenography is very impressive.

For me the main mystery shouldn't be resolved, because I'm afraid it will "cheapen" the story. But it looks like Gobert is determined to give some (not all) answers. So, we will see...

After 6 episodes I can honestly say I'm not disappointed, especially ep 5&6 floored me emotionally. Some very good scenes with our favorite characters.
But it's going to be interesting to see reaction from other fans.

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I have now seen six episodes, and I can say it still falls far behind s1. Yes, there is some interesting development of the back-story, but in the present day people are still doing very little other than moving from place to place, wearing long faces and occasionally shouting at one another. With s1 I couldn't wait for the week to pass; with this it's more like a chore. After four episodes More4 moved it from 9pm to 10pm without notice or explanation, which suggests to me that an awful lot of people have switched off.

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I found season 1 to be very clear and engaging, while at the same time tackling concepts that are difficult if not impossible to grasp. IMO, season 2 got very murky from the outset and stayed pretty murky throughout. I was hooked on the show so I watched all 8 episodes of season 2, but I think, now that it's done, that I enjoyed season 1 more than season 2.

"Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back in." -- Will Rogers

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