‘No lies detected': Critics praise ‘Poker Face' Season 2 as ‘fresh, funny,' and driven by the ‘magnetic' Natasha Lyonne
Peacock's Emmy-winning comedy series Poker Face returns on May 8, with critics already praising the case-of-the-week mystery starring the "magnetic" Natasha Lyonne as "clever," "impressive," and "the ultimate comfort viewing on TV."
In Season 2, Lyonne's Charlie Cale — a charismatic drifter with the uncanny ability to detect lies — resumes her journey across the country, evading mobsters in her trusty Plymouth Barracuda while solving mysteries at every stop along the way.
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As of Sunday afternoon, Poker Face Season 2 has garnered critical acclaim with a score of 79 on Metacritic based on 10 reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's 100 percent fresh based on 12 reviews.
"Old-school television is rarely as fresh and funny — and cinematic — as this episodic thriller," says The Daily Beast's Nick Schager. Season 2 "hits even more highs than during its maiden run, providing an assortment of homicidal stories that are as idiosyncratic as its heroine, a 'human lie detector' whose ability to tell when people aren't being honest is its sleuthing hook. Lyonne is the sun around which everything in Poker Face revolves, and she's brighter than ever in its sophomore run, sarcastically rambling from one state — and community, and culture — to another with wry take-it-as-it-comes nonchalance and good humor."
The first season of Poker Face was a triumph for Peacock, earning critical acclaim and recognition from Emmy voters. The series scored four nominations, including Best Comedy Actress for Lyonne, as well as nods for production design and stunts. Judith Light made history for the streamer by winning Peacock's first Emmy for her standout guest performance.
Check out the top reviews for Poker Face Season 2 below. The series returns to Peacock on May 8 with three episodes, followed by new weekly installments through July 10.
SEE Natasha Lyonne and director Rian Johnson explain 'magic trick' behind Cynthia Erivo playing quintuplets in 'Poker Face' Season 2 premiere
David Opie, : "If the impressive highs of Season 2 are anything to go by, Poker Face could easily go on for 10 more seasons and just get better each time. (No lies detected.)"
"Like the shows it most obviously recalls (it's impossible not to mention Columbo at this point), it's deeply contrived. But the contrivances are a big part of the fun -- sometimes they subvert conventions, sometimes they wink gleefully at them."
"Season two gives us another dozen adventures with Lyonne's unorthodox investigator, and not a single one is a whiff."
"It's important to have a crime show that never once forgets, in even the silliest of scenarios, that murderers and victims aren't just plot devices. They're people."
"Driven by a magnetic performance from Natasha Lyonne, clever writing, and a laundry list of comedic guest stars, season 2 of the howcatchem isn't prestige TV, but it should definitely be on your watch list."
"While Season 1 was a proof of concept, Season 2 stretches the potential of this unique show, wrapping up the season-long arc of Season 1 and starting a new era that proves it has the legs to stand amongst the giants in the case-of-the-week genre."
"It's not trying to be anything but a silly little detective show that celebrates eccentricity. Binge-watch or pick it up now and then, Poker Face is the light-hearted relief with an emotional edge we all might need."
"Familiar without feeling formulaic, breezy but never brainless, and as cozy as crime capers get, Poker Face is a sheer joy to watch and TV's ultimate comfort viewing."
"Some bumps in the road keep Poker Face Season 2 from being a bonafide home run like Season 1. That being said, the consistently great directing and writing, along with Lyonne's performance and charisma, still make this show a ride worth taking."
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