I don't particularly feel like either season was particularly groundbreaking. This season was more consistent in terms of getting into each of the characters on the show, but I don't know that we're learning anything deep or interesting here. The main bit of this season is that Dave's path to success is ultimately driving a wedge between everyone around him...but the show doesn't do a great job at showing us that artistically. Instead, it's very very blunt.
What little resolution or patching up that does happen is abrupt and unearned--the bar mitzvah episode stands out like a sore thumb with this because of how it runs contrarian to the rest of the show. Typically speaking, Dave is the narcissistic jerk. This is still true in his relationship with Elz, absolutely, but Elz is also extremely harsh against his friend despite the fact that Dave actually seems to be his most tame around Elz and seems to listen most to Elz in season one. Elz instead goes off on tour with a rapper, which is great for him, but then returns in season two a much bigger asshole as if he's just better than the group. When the resolution hits in the bar mitzvah episode, it's not like there's any resolution. They just become friends again. And this example is the best I can give for the entirety of the season. There's clear cut attempts to do arcs here, but the resolutions rarely feel earned.
All of these shows like this are largely indebted to Atlanta and Curb Your Enthusiasm, but the ways in which Dave blends those two shows makes for something really unnerving. Since Dave is playing a heightened version of himself a la Larry David but writes the show to have character growth a la Earn and company in Atlanta, it feels even more narcissistic when we're meant to believe Dave is a good person now. Atlanta's absence in the TV climate is creating a power vacuum, where all these shows about millennial men are vying for top dog status. Personally, I feel as though Ramy is better written than Dave, but none of them hold a candle to Atlanta.
This season so far so bad season 1 was emmy worthy ...
Shout by cityhermitVIP BlockedParent2024-03-25T17:38:12Z
This season 2 feels like Atlanta meets Bojack Horseman except nobody is likeable nor funny.
The scene where Dave cries over him not knowing anything about his parents, but when his mom tried to show pictures of Egypt, dude gave zero shits. It successfully shows how selfish and narcissistic Dave is and honestly, I stopped rooting for his success a long time ago. He doesn't deserve any.