THE AFTERPARTY returns with another whodunnit murder mystery that’s clearly taking a page out of the KNIVES OUT playbook. The main difference is that each episode spoofs a different genre. While season one was hit-or-miss, it had a few standout episodes with a stellar cast that made it worth watching. As for season two, the same formula is back.
E1 ANIQ 2: THE SEQUEL 😊
The season two premiere episode was a solid spoof of the rom-com genre full of shenanigans. It was cleverly written and put the lovable yet cringe-worthy, Aniq (Sam Richardson) at the center of the action again. Despite the all-star cast of newcomers (John Cho, Paul Walter Hauser, Ken Jeong, Elizabeth Perkins, and more), it was the returning characters, Danner (Tiffany Haddish), Aniq, and Zoë (Zoey Chao), that were the spotlight of the party. The show works best when it doesn’t take itself seriously. And the first episode had me smiling the entire time.
E2 GRACE 🤮
I had an unconscious bias before this episode even started. I do not like period pieces, and GRACE delved into yesteryear with a Jane Austin-style spoof. Yet, even if the window dressing weren’t all stuffy rooms, dramatic costumes, and verbose dialogue, I would’ve probably not liked it. And that’s because the wit and humor from the first episode felt vacant in GRACE. It was as lifeless as trying to make a lizard your pet.
I’m not ready to enter a “vow box” and vow not to watch season two of THE AFTERPARTY. However, I hope season two becomes a hangover worthy of the party.
It’s available on Apple TV+.
