I have watched several episodes of season 2 now, and they have dumbed it down to a typical Hollywood action series.
Season 1 was great because it showed what would happen if bodies are just products, when the gap between rich and poor is so big, that the rich become god-like. Because bodies have become products, you see the decadence by the rich and the suffering of the forgotten poor. The series was bold and dared to go to the extremes of human behaviour.
Now, season 2 is all about action. Everything related to the decadence and depravity is gone: nudity is gone, phylosophical questions are gone, rich vs poor is gone, ...
It feels like they wanted to make a show that could be on cable television. It has lost everything that made season 1 so special. It is so dumbed down, that it's like another show all together.
Netflix has killed a one of a kind series.
52 Reviews
Feels kind a bland
oskars-zerbis27 February 2020
Terrible acting and writing...
gayseal28 February 2020
I loved the first season and was extremely excited for Season 2. I saw they replaced almost the entire cast from season one but I expected that since we knew at the end of season 1 he wasn't going to resleeve back into that body. I was still excited despite all new actors, watched the first episode and was like eh ok watched the second and man I'm sorry but Anthony Mackie does an awful job and some of the other new actors they added are absolutely terrible. Poe is still good and the military cop dude isn't bad but it just seems like they went the "diversity route" which is fine but it doesn't excuse the fact that their acting is absolutely awful and it ruins a great show. I would be ok with the supporting cast being bad as long as Anthony Mackie carries the season as Kovac...but damn he is awful. Shows little emotion and makes the same face every episode...just isn't a good actor at all. I'd give it a 5 just cause the scenery and futuristic world they created is amazing, the actors are bums though
Season2 is such a let down
damdee81 March 2020
I was really looking forward ro watch this series. Unfortunately, season 2 was not up to the mark and felt very bland. The story line is too repetitive, acting is just meh, VFX not as good as the first season, overall it was just a visual and intellectual disappointment.
Disappointing
aarongnr28 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Others here have already wonderfully summed up why this was a real disappointment. Injust want to add this:
The fight scene was absolutely terrible. It's 1v5 and they ALL have guns pointing at him. Then the fight starts and 1 second later they're all fighting with fists and taking turns 1by1. Horrrrrible
The fight scene was absolutely terrible. It's 1v5 and they ALL have guns pointing at him. Then the fight starts and 1 second later they're all fighting with fists and taking turns 1by1. Horrrrrible
The quality really dropped on season 2...
rollexx29 February 2020
The quality really dropped on season 2; season 1 plot had all the intrigue, real villains with real consequences, plot twists. Season 2 was predictably straightforward and missing all the visceral violence and gratuitous sex/nudity. Season 1 also had unexpected parts of humor and sarcasm.
The worst part of season 2 is that the new Takeshi Kovacs, Anthony Mackie, doesn't have any semblance of the same conflicted personality. In fact, he shows little to no emotion at all; season 1 was carried by the visible internal struggle of Joel Kinnaman (shout out also to Dichen Lachman who played Rei). It really messes up a show when they change the main character's actor.
the supporting cast level of actors was downgraded, even the returning actor's personality's literally and metaphorically changed for the worse. the atmosphere is lacking the futuristic sci-fi feel and grandeur of season 1's rich, advanced areas; season 2 is mostly in the rural/poor setting. the new technology they showed was light-up hair clips. The silver lining is that the last episode gives me hope for the next season to get back on track...
The worst part of season 2 is that the new Takeshi Kovacs, Anthony Mackie, doesn't have any semblance of the same conflicted personality. In fact, he shows little to no emotion at all; season 1 was carried by the visible internal struggle of Joel Kinnaman (shout out also to Dichen Lachman who played Rei). It really messes up a show when they change the main character's actor.
the supporting cast level of actors was downgraded, even the returning actor's personality's literally and metaphorically changed for the worse. the atmosphere is lacking the futuristic sci-fi feel and grandeur of season 1's rich, advanced areas; season 2 is mostly in the rural/poor setting. the new technology they showed was light-up hair clips. The silver lining is that the last episode gives me hope for the next season to get back on track...
It's been 30 years
XweAponX28 February 2020
Since Kovacs was Elias Ryker.
They really don't get right into how he has Poe with him. But, he's there. He's damaged.
Kovacs is hired by a new Meth (Stargate SG one's Michael Shanks) for protection.
So he needlecasts to a new planet. Unfortunately, it's Harlan's world.
The place where altered Carbon started.
To quote Dimi the Twin: "Where is the voice that said altered carbon would free us from the cells of our flesh? The visions that said we would be angels. Instead, we became hungry for things that reality could no longer offer. The lines blurred. You want to know who I work for? The people who understood that, who used it to become wealthy beyond words in the only currency that truly matters: the appetites of the immortal"
And it appears that there are people who would support Quellcrest Falconer. They have formed a revolution.
But the protectorate has a special brand of dogs on-planet. And they don't want to leave.
Especially since there is a new form of MethMurder that suspiciously looks like it might be based on some of Quell's technology.
It is kind of disconcerting, seeing a new face playing Tak, actually, two new faces.
Just like season one, this season takes its time getting into what is actually going on.
And even after the third episode, that is still pretty unclear.
We have not completely abandoned the cast from season one, they will show up in cameos. I believe there were a couple of new shots of Elias Riker as well, so we know he was involved in at least one episode.
As the story progresses, so does our interest in it.
And whether or not Kovacs is wearing Elias Rikers sleeve or Anthony MacKie's, Anthony IS Kovacs. His mannerisms, and, sometimes his stupidity.
We know how Kovacs is, when he thinks he's right he will jump out and make dumb mistakes. That's kind of what happens in this first episode.
After that, he becomes a little bit more cautious. Until presented with a decision, to either protect himself, or somebody who he thinks is more important. Who would that be?
And don't think we have ever seen the last of Railene either.
Although I really enjoyed season one, I believe this season is just as good. The story is extremely interesting.
Who will Takeshi Kovacs be next? He could be anybody...
They really don't get right into how he has Poe with him. But, he's there. He's damaged.
Kovacs is hired by a new Meth (Stargate SG one's Michael Shanks) for protection.
So he needlecasts to a new planet. Unfortunately, it's Harlan's world.
The place where altered Carbon started.
To quote Dimi the Twin: "Where is the voice that said altered carbon would free us from the cells of our flesh? The visions that said we would be angels. Instead, we became hungry for things that reality could no longer offer. The lines blurred. You want to know who I work for? The people who understood that, who used it to become wealthy beyond words in the only currency that truly matters: the appetites of the immortal"
And it appears that there are people who would support Quellcrest Falconer. They have formed a revolution.
But the protectorate has a special brand of dogs on-planet. And they don't want to leave.
Especially since there is a new form of MethMurder that suspiciously looks like it might be based on some of Quell's technology.
It is kind of disconcerting, seeing a new face playing Tak, actually, two new faces.
Just like season one, this season takes its time getting into what is actually going on.
And even after the third episode, that is still pretty unclear.
We have not completely abandoned the cast from season one, they will show up in cameos. I believe there were a couple of new shots of Elias Riker as well, so we know he was involved in at least one episode.
As the story progresses, so does our interest in it.
And whether or not Kovacs is wearing Elias Rikers sleeve or Anthony MacKie's, Anthony IS Kovacs. His mannerisms, and, sometimes his stupidity.
We know how Kovacs is, when he thinks he's right he will jump out and make dumb mistakes. That's kind of what happens in this first episode.
After that, he becomes a little bit more cautious. Until presented with a decision, to either protect himself, or somebody who he thinks is more important. Who would that be?
And don't think we have ever seen the last of Railene either.
Although I really enjoyed season one, I believe this season is just as good. The story is extremely interesting.
Who will Takeshi Kovacs be next? He could be anybody...
A lame imitation of Altered Carbon!
jimmyace1 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I got through Season 2, episode 1, and found I couldn't care less. I'll leave my impressions and won't bother with the rest.
Within the very first 10 minutes, Kovacs - who is basically a near untouchable, elite James Bond on steroids with lifetimes of experience - acts like a dumb henchman with zero regard or awareness of his surroundings.
I'm charitably thinking: he's playing them so he can get close to the bad guy - and what an awesome way to start a fresh series - Kovacs at the end of a big play to remind us how awesome he is..
But NO. He really is acting like a dumb henchman. There's absolutely nothing clever about this opening. "You shot me in the back", SERIOUSLY?! And then they sleeve him into a wooden actor who cares about as much as the writers. Pile on a ton of rushed, uninspired exposition and film it all drowned in a soft focused, brightly-coloured, confused blur as forgettable as the script. It's basically another throwaway TV show written for brainless teenagers.
I'll give a point for our returning AI - as forced as the initial dialogue was - a point for some of the action - blatant plot-armour aside - and a point for general ambience and the song.
I loved the books and I'd give season one a 7; their biggest crime was changing our Envoys (who were supposed to be a massive, elite, regimented fighting force) into a bunch of unlikable, forest-dwelling resistance fighters. And I'm completely on board with different actors playing Kovacs. I was actually looking forward to seeing who they'd cast. I knew it wouldn't be a white male in today's climate - not that I care, we just need a decent actor.
And we get this meaningless fodder. A world as rich as AC, which everything LITERALLY written down for you, and you pump out this brainless, forgettable cheese.
Our lead sleepwalks through the first episode, as if he's completely aware of his plot-armour. An opposing character even says something along the lines of "you don't realize who this guy is, he's 'allowed' you to capture him". But the thing is, NO, he's been completely useless and barely aware of what's going on - the writers just stopped anyone killing him because they are useless, uninspired, sub-par hacks.
WHAT A LET DOWN.
Within the very first 10 minutes, Kovacs - who is basically a near untouchable, elite James Bond on steroids with lifetimes of experience - acts like a dumb henchman with zero regard or awareness of his surroundings.
I'm charitably thinking: he's playing them so he can get close to the bad guy - and what an awesome way to start a fresh series - Kovacs at the end of a big play to remind us how awesome he is..
But NO. He really is acting like a dumb henchman. There's absolutely nothing clever about this opening. "You shot me in the back", SERIOUSLY?! And then they sleeve him into a wooden actor who cares about as much as the writers. Pile on a ton of rushed, uninspired exposition and film it all drowned in a soft focused, brightly-coloured, confused blur as forgettable as the script. It's basically another throwaway TV show written for brainless teenagers.
I'll give a point for our returning AI - as forced as the initial dialogue was - a point for some of the action - blatant plot-armour aside - and a point for general ambience and the song.
I loved the books and I'd give season one a 7; their biggest crime was changing our Envoys (who were supposed to be a massive, elite, regimented fighting force) into a bunch of unlikable, forest-dwelling resistance fighters. And I'm completely on board with different actors playing Kovacs. I was actually looking forward to seeing who they'd cast. I knew it wouldn't be a white male in today's climate - not that I care, we just need a decent actor.
And we get this meaningless fodder. A world as rich as AC, which everything LITERALLY written down for you, and you pump out this brainless, forgettable cheese.
Our lead sleepwalks through the first episode, as if he's completely aware of his plot-armour. An opposing character even says something along the lines of "you don't realize who this guy is, he's 'allowed' you to capture him". But the thing is, NO, he's been completely useless and barely aware of what's going on - the writers just stopped anyone killing him because they are useless, uninspired, sub-par hacks.
WHAT A LET DOWN.
Whats up with all the hate?
ter-216371 March 2020
This first episode has me reminiscing on how great the first season was, It was a well executed first episode that jumps us back into the story without a boring narration.
We revisit old characters and learn some new things about them.
The shows direction is clearly given in this episode and it is exciting.
There's this unexplained group of people complaining "aww Netflix really ruined the show it feels cheap blah blah blah"
The quality of this episode matches most episodes of the previous season. I cant wrap my head around why this is so hated on especially when half the bad reviews are from people giving it 3 stars when they're 10 minutes in.
We revisit old characters and learn some new things about them.
The shows direction is clearly given in this episode and it is exciting.
There's this unexplained group of people complaining "aww Netflix really ruined the show it feels cheap blah blah blah"
The quality of this episode matches most episodes of the previous season. I cant wrap my head around why this is so hated on especially when half the bad reviews are from people giving it 3 stars when they're 10 minutes in.
Not digging Anthony Mackie
psilvu1328 February 2020
I don't know Mackie very well, only thing I've seen him in was captain America and avengers. I thought he was pretty bland in those,and after 2 episodes of altered carbon, I still think he's pretty bland. I just don't feel like he brings any takeshi to the role. Jole still felt like takeshi, but mackie isn't making it believable that he is the same guy. Totally bummed out because I really liked the first season and watched it twice already. I wasnt thrilled to hear Mackie would be taking over the role to begin with, but I'm willing to watch. So far not impressed.
oh boy is this a tasteless parody
sapnuojantis29 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I expected the second season not to live up to season one. And that would have been fine. It is hard to repeat a masterpiece.
However what we got is unbelievable shallow, cliche and implausible version of season 1 aftermath.
I only watched 10 minutes so far.
During them Mr. Kovac got shot in the back, while walking away from an armed person who threatened him. Apparently his envoy skills are gone?
Then in the next scene we see Mr. Kovac unsubtly unchaining himself from a virtual handcuff. Season 1 was SO subtle about his ability to control the construct. It was never easy and he certainly did not brag about it. He let whomever is in charge think they are in charge and worked progressively. Also what about this "I dont work for meths" crap? Don't envoys take what they get in order to succeed in their mission?
And so many other foolish, unbelievable things. I don't know what the scenario writers were smoking but its bad for the brain.
I expected little but got negative. Hard to believe it's possible to create something so mindless.
Rating 3 because without the season 1, as a standalone, this season 2 would still be regarded as an almost acceptable cheap time waster thriller.
?
alecaaustar28 February 2020
Netflix ruined it
mnk27729 February 2020
Awesome start to season 2!
rizwannvd27 February 2020
Altered Too Much
rjgrund-123-60343828 February 2020
Flat. Bland. One Dimensional. Mackie is a supporting actor not a lead. He's trying to hard and unlike Joel Kinnaman cannot hold the screen. Odd choice. We're they trying to capitalize on the Marvel connection? Didn't work.
Welp, that's me out of here.
GraXXoR14 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I have watched Season 1 three times now. Once when it first came out, once last Autumn and again recently when I realised Season 2 was out.
Although I thought the Kovac's sister's role got a bit too James Bond enemy hammy at the end, the rest of the show was top notch. From start to finish.
When Poe died I shed a tear. It was a terrific, emotional scene and you felt for him and the loss of his history.
Yet here he is again, living (sort of) and breathing. A cardinal sin.
Whereas I was gripped from the first few minutes of the first scene in Season 1, I immediately recognised the insurmountable gap between the two seasons.
Lame is perhaps the best word I can use to describe the whole thing.
After a quick browse through IMDB comments, I see the rest of the season is pretty much the same..
Here is where I get off the AC train.
Cheerio.
Although I thought the Kovac's sister's role got a bit too James Bond enemy hammy at the end, the rest of the show was top notch. From start to finish.
When Poe died I shed a tear. It was a terrific, emotional scene and you felt for him and the loss of his history.
Yet here he is again, living (sort of) and breathing. A cardinal sin.
Whereas I was gripped from the first few minutes of the first scene in Season 1, I immediately recognised the insurmountable gap between the two seasons.
Lame is perhaps the best word I can use to describe the whole thing.
After a quick browse through IMDB comments, I see the rest of the season is pretty much the same..
Here is where I get off the AC train.
Cheerio.
Masterclass of scifi
rizwannvd27 February 2020
Altered in the worst possible way.
blazkusnik29 February 2020
This is what happens when you take a season that was guided by a great book, had a wonderful cast with very capable actors and an interesting story, then take away the guiding hand of the book, take away the story and replace all but a few of the actors with subpar ones.
Season 1 was great. Season 2 is average at best.
Season 1 was great. Season 2 is average at best.
Very good
shujanoorani29 February 2020
As I began watching Season 2, I had my doubts about Anthony Mackie. I watched the entire Season 2 over the past two days and loved it. Mackie over the season was very good. Season 2 did not have the sex, nudity and novelty of Season 1, but compensated with a gripping plot. Amazing action like the previous season.
Highly recommended. 9/10.
Highly recommended. 9/10.
Season 2 BLOWS
chelseakaymoore5 March 2020
Netflix ruins another show
tdawson228 February 2020
This and the first few episodes feel like they are written from the perspective of someone who breezed over the first season and picked up some nomenclature rather than one of indepth knowledge. The story, dialog and depiction of the world feel shallow and low quality. The depiction of Tekashi is so off the mark they may as well have created new characters. Tekashi performing as a female singer in a bar was beyond ridiculous. Just awful.
S stuff happens !
fluq10 March 2020
The Pendulum
thefbgnome22 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
As I watched episode one I was confused... So I went back and rewatched season 1... and was Enlightened... of course Ryker Sleeve is gone Kavacs gave him back to Ortega... 30 years have gone by and Poe is Damaged (like Lizzie season 1) the Pendulum swings... Kovacs is looking for Quell but is starting to feel the passage of time... (as Obayan says "are our souls immortal?").
Mackie does feel a little lost and Quell starts off a bit too plastic also... Poe is one of the biggest growth stories (like Lizzie season 1)... and I can really Digg... (ummm nvm just enjoy it)
The Show did lose some of its shock (I guess someone decided nude death scenes are not PC anymore) and I think that may have inspired some backlash reviews (even my review is 9 down from 10 last). but all in all a great sophomore season...
Mackie does feel a little lost and Quell starts off a bit too plastic also... Poe is one of the biggest growth stories (like Lizzie season 1)... and I can really Digg... (ummm nvm just enjoy it)
The Show did lose some of its shock (I guess someone decided nude death scenes are not PC anymore) and I think that may have inspired some backlash reviews (even my review is 9 down from 10 last). but all in all a great sophomore season...
15 minutes in and im already disappointed
heather_lynn_brown211 March 2020
Its a completely different show than season 1. When i found Joel was returning i was very worried, and turns out for good reason. Im not a marvel watcher so i don't really know Anthony Mackie, but he's definitely no Kovacs. All the confidence and his dark sense of humor is gone. I feel as though he isn't even trying and it's frustrating. Did he even watch the first season? Idk, I'm only on the first episode. Fingers crossed he gets better
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