TV Review: Dickinson Season 2 Returns With Its Usual Glitz
I mentioned in my Cobra Kai review, it is very hard for a show to find a “bigger” version of itself that does not veer from its usual vibe. We have all seen one of our favorite shows either have a rough season or become something completely opposite from what fans knew or expected (*coughs Game of Thrones Season 8 coughs*). Dickinson returns to Apple TV much the same as last year in terms of style and dilemmas, with a marked difference that helps it feel bigger: Emily gets a social life.
The first season of Emily Dickinson felt like a charming, concise mess. It was clear that creator Alena Smith had a message and style that, particularly, veered towards female empowerment. Emily didn’t simply fall in love with men or women; she fell in love with hearts. Moreover, the story focused on how a young, talented girl may even need to face off with her loving family just to nurture her brilliance, as seen by Emily’s dynamics with her mother (the always hilarious Jane Krakowski) and her father (a sweetly protective Toby Huss). In Season 2, there is more tenderness and support within Emily family’s, which attracts the audience in seeing how she finds her “crew” and place in the world.
Hailee Steinfeld is great as Emily because you can see the fun and admiration she puts into her character. There is an empowering intent to her performance that feels special, particularly in Season 2, because she is more comfortable. In fact, the whole cast feels more embracing of their roles and a Victorian world that has its structural hiccups. Adrian Enscoe’s Austin Dickinson is still a lovable goofball that has matured to become an advocate for abolitionism, but struggles in maturing enough to confront his marital woes. Ella Hunt plays his wife Sue, whom has an AWESOME singing scene, but can’t seem to check her new money tendencies. Meanwhile, Lavinia (Anna Baryshnikov) has got a new beau, but whether she is freer with him or without him becomes a valid debate that ricochets into Emily’s life, as well.
If Season 1, was about how and if the family nurtures enough so that you can nurture yourself, then Season 2 is about whether love truly frees us, especially in terms of how men react to “loving” a “free woman.” Even that term, is, usually, associated with whoredom. Yet, Dickinson approaches is it from a truer perspective. Emily and Lavinia are strong, hold their own power, and part of their struggles, in early 1800’s, is that men see a woman’s power as a supportive fuel for their own. Hence, the most intriguing storyline of Season 2 is seeing Emily in love with Sam Holmes (Finn Jones): a clear player who devours intellect as much as he does panties. He is the antithesis to her feminism, but mind and physical attraction have a strange way of clashing with your heart and soul. Thus, Dickinson Season 2 thrives as a maturer Emily confronts the pangs of loving a world that might only love you back, but will also try to stop you from loving yourself. New Episodes of Dickinson premiere every Friday on Apple TV.
