Annika Season 2 Episode 5 Review
On Annika Season 2 Episode 5, we might have reason to worry about Morgan’s camping experiences. The first time, she must save a friend’s life. Now, dead bodies literally fall from the sky.
It’s one of the more sensational cases we’ve seen, especially once the man’s husband and business partner are throwing both accusations of murder and physical objects at each other. He may be a victim, but he’s left a lot of bad blood behind.
We rule out a lady who he stole money from and Morgan’s boss, who hated him on principal. The latter is hard to get along with, but her biggest motive would have been a noise violation, and camping gets a bad enough rep already.
The true killer, a seaplane pilot whose family was also betrayed by our victim, is revealed almost from nowhere in the final scenes. At least Annika gets to say she unknowingly flew with someone who pushed another man from that plane.
None of this is at all as complicated as the antics that unfold when Annika’s father comes to visit. She’s told us that they have a strained relationship, and it comes to a head when they’re forced to stay in the same cabin while visiting Morgan.
We don’t touch on whatever events caused the rift as much as I’d like. It’s especially confusing because Morgan and her grandfather have a very sweet relationship. The drama with Annika, though not of Shakesperean levels, is never fully explained.
It hits a few stereotypical points, from an announcement that he and Annika’s mother are separating to him getting embarrassingly drunk over that news, and finally to a grudging sort of peace as they drive home together.
Strained relationships with parents are common enough that it’s surprising when they don’t exist for a show’s main character. These can often be overplayed, but thus far I’m finding this story intriguing and want to hear more from it.
The romantic drama plays second fiddle in this hour, at least until the end. Annika spends most of the episode away from Jake, and Michael is taken down by food poisoning. As he recovers, he reveals the truth of Morgan’s parentage to his wife, Astrid.
In the few seconds of her reaction we get, she seems to take the news better than he has. Seeing more of her solidifies the idea that Annika and Michael’s own relationship will stay in the past, and I’m even more confident that that’s the right decision.
There are a few fun moments with Annika riding on the back of Harper’s motorcycle and talking to a now very pregnant Blair. Still, the rising levels of potential chaos seem to be focused on the setting the tone of the second season finale.
What will the end of the season hold? I expect we’ll see the arrival of Blair’s baby and have some kind of climax to the family drama. Any investigations that will play out are much more up in the air—but there’s a good chance someone almost dies.
What did you think of this episode of Annika? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Annika airs Sundays at 10/9c on PBS.
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Caitlin Wyneken
Caitlin is an elder millennial with an only slightly unhealthy dedication to a random selection of TV shows, from PBS Masterpiece dramas to some of the less popular series on popular networks. Outside of screen time, she's dedicated to the public sector and worthy nonprofits, working to make a difference in the world outside of media.