Wayward Pines did not need a second season, but we got one anyway even though according to various online sources, all the books were adapted in the first season (no, I haven’t read them yet). Do not read any further if you have not seen the first season of Wayward Pines. Wayward Pines’ second season did answer a couple of questions that I had after the end of the first season. We learned more about Abbys, and now I am officially on the Abbys’ side.
Wayward Pines’ second season went full dystopian, and even the most relatable characters were really guilty of the very things that they derided in the administration. (Hint: watch the last episode and tell me if you are not shocked by the reckless thoughtlessness of how to fight the Abbys. It could hurt your people too!) Wayward Pines’ second season explored life in a dystopian dictatorship: biological warfare, eugenics, dehumanizing others by calling them animals because of appearance even if there is scientific evidence that they have more intelligence, i.e. arrogance of colonialism, fascist techniques to encourage reproduction for the state which amounts to child abuse and conversion therapy.
I did not remember much from Wayward Pines’ first season, which may have helped me enjoy the second season more because apparently there were inconsistencies that I did not spot until I read recaps from the first season. There are numerous new characters. I am familiar with Kacey Rohl from Hannibal so I was expecting for the other shoe to drop for her character. Nimrat Kaur probably had the best matter of fact line regarding life before and after the end of the world. Rochelle Okoye may be my favorite new character, and if Wayward Pines comes back, I think that centering the series on her instead of the latest defrosted hero would be a great move to keep the show interesting. Jason Patric is the latest defrosted hero after Matt Dillon’s sacrifice at the end of the first season. His character was a bit too manipulative, though initially it was humorous, a little too self-righteous and petty for me to completely root for him.
I watched Wayward Pines’ second season in one sitting. If you saw the first season, you should definitely check it out, but don’t bother to watch the second season without finishing the first. Wayward Pines is not that kind of show.