After a nine-month span that seemed like an eternity, the long awaited second season of the BAFTA Award Nominated Derry Girls is finally available on Netflix. This critically acclaimed show from the imagination of writer Lisa McGee picks up from its heart-wrenching, yet simultaneously heart-warming season finale. The comedic teenage antics, nearly indecipherable accents, and early 90s immersion from the first season continues, all while the terror of the religious, ethno-nationalist conflict simply named “The Troubles” rages on at the fringe. The dichotomy between the palpable threat of violence–seen at the very opening of the series–and the wild, carefree teenage shenanigans set to a classic 90s soundtrack leaves you with a bittersweet taste in your mouth, especially due to the thematic relevance to our modern day.
In addition to the interesting mix of legitimate danger, adolescent innocence, and hormonally-motivated mischief, this season promises the anticipated return of Erin and her quirky yet lovable gaggle of gal pals (and James), as well as other favorite characters, including the ambivalent Sister Michael, the all too peppy Jenny Joyce, and the dreamy Father Peter. The finale of the season will have you crying like a baby even more than you did after viewing the Season 1 finale.
If that isn’t enough to get you hooked, the series is perfectly bingeable, with just six 22-minute long episodes rife with plot points revolving around Bill Clinton’s 1995 visit to Northern Ireland, The Usual Suspects, Take That, and more. The pure nostalgia for a time that perhaps seemed to be simplistic, but was steeped in dangerous conflict will capture your attention like no other.
By Sam Spotswood
Photo: Netflix
