For our review of last season of Marvel’s Runaways, click here.
Marvel’s Runaways is back! And boy, it did not disappoint. As a quick refresher, the series follows a group of teens that accidentally discover their parents are part of a sacrificial cult. The first season deals with them trying to learn about what is going on and eventually leads into them running away.
And we can’t blame them for running away either. Their parents are a part of something horrendous and are essentially serial killers. They sacrifice young adults for the sake of giving life to an alien named Jonah and they call themselves P.R.I.D.E. Yah, it’s a pretty out there plot, but yet so fun to watch.
Season 2 of Marvel’s Runaways essentially picks up where it left off, with the kids on the run. This motley group includes Alex, Chase, Gert, Molly, Karolina, and Nico. Let’s not forget Gert’s dinosaur, Old Lace with whom she shares a strong telepathic connection.
Suffice to say, the teens face a lot of obstacles throughout the second season. They’re used to a lavish, wealthy life but now they’re homeless with no money, and nowhere to go. I have to say that there is such a drastic improvement in each of the characters this season. They’ve matured, adapted, and grown in a way that wasn’t apparent in the first season. I’m not sure if it’s a result of the actors getting better, or the writing–but they did good.
The season is a bit slow to start and takes a while to get to the meat of the story. There’s also a bit too much going on at times because of the multiple story lines. We have their group story, the Church of Gibborim story, the Alex/Darius/Wilders story, and that’s not even all of them. It can be a bit overwhelming, but luckily it is spread out over 13 episodes, which helps a little bit.
Overall, there is a lot to love about the second season of Marvel’s Runaways. It’s often difficult to keep the momentum going but I think they did a great job, despite their setbacks here and there. There is more substance to each character, and each of them has their own individual story and background. You can appreciate each person, rather than simply view them as a collective group.
What was particularly enjoyable this season was seeing how each of the teens used their powers. Well, technically, not everyone has powers but they each have something to contribute. This was my favorite part of the season because they’re all just so badass. Nico has a staff that can basically allow her to do anything, Molly has superhuman strength, and Karolina possesses the power of light and energy. Even though Alex, Gert, and Chase don’t technically have powers, their special talents are showcased–which was nice to see.
We come across new challenges, new characters, and new twists and turns in season 2. Each brought allure and intrigue to the plot, and it was fun to watch how things played out over the season, especially between the parents and kids.
However, the relationship between the parents and the kids remains confusing. At times, it feels like the parents could be the good guys, but then they try to take their kids down via drones. It’s very conflicting throughout the entire season and an aspect of the series that is overplayed. Their struggle is getting boring, and it’s gotten to the point that it’s not worth caring about. Either they’re good and love their kids, or they are evil and want to control them in every which way. If there is a season 3 (which I really hope there is), hopefully they won’t spend all their time focused on the familial aspect.
Overall, the second season of Marvel’s Runaways was an enjoyable one for the most part. Sure, there were some weak moments and repetitive plot points, but the maturity of the characters really won me over. Collectively and individually, the group is so much fun to watch. They have wonderful chemistry together, and really are the heart and soul of the show. I’m crossing my fingers for a third season because considering how this season ended–there just has to be more.
Score: 8/10
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