The Paper Season 2 Review: Good But Still Working on Great
Imperfection can be exciting. The Paper Season 2 proves this by making its flaws part of its charm.
It has a fairly decent season. But the show still struggles to find its identity. The exploration adds an extra layer of intrigue. Figuring out the writers’ intentions for the future of The Paper provides the same amount of entertainment as the plots.
Many The Office fans didn’t know what to expect when watching the first Season of this spin-off series. Therefore, if you wanted an exact copy of the original, you may have been disappointed.
If they wanted a show that felt like it existed in this world but was its own thing, then The Paper delivers. Similar to Ned, this Peacock show wants to prove itself. It’s not trying to live in the shadow of the parent show.
Many shows need time to find their groove. This TV series is no different and feels right on schedule. Season 1 is a little stronger than Season 2 in terms of the storylines, but not a major downgrade from the initial season.
Season 2 works to strengthen the character relationships, define the characters better, and explore the triumphs and downfalls of a local paper. The relationship-building is where The Paper Season 2 thrives.
It’s especially good at depicting complex interpersonal romantic relationships. We have about five maybe couples that the show will likely eventually have happen in a future season. For now, it’s all about Mare and Ned.
They kiss at the end of Season 1. The show could have made them ignore that kiss and just deny their feelings for a few seasons – the Jim and Pam way. Nope, it goes all in on Mare and Ned’s secret romance.
Ned and Mare work a little better with their sexual tension hinted at but not explored. The Paper resolves that by the end of the season by having them break up, but unrequited feelings are still there.
We return to the will-they-won’t-they next year, but it’s less that and more now “when will they again?” Mare and Ned may not date again for a few seasons, but now we have more interesting potential couples in the works.
We can’t wait to see some of those happen next year, if the show is renewed, especially as some of these characters have become more defined and quirky as the series continues.
Esmeralda remains the show’s secret weapon. She’s so beautifully insane and narcissistic, according to Ned. The Paper Season 2 Episode 10, “The NS Board,” may be Esmeralda’s best episode because Sabrina Impacciatore is hilarious as she tries to impersonate a young boy.
We’d better get more Esmeralda undercover antics if Peacock renews The Paper for a Season 3. We need to see her play more inappropriate characters in a quest to expose things.
The Paper Season 2 is quite imperfect, but it’s an easy show to watch. It feels like a true sitcom that’s character-driven more than story-focused. As long as the show keeps its wonderful characters, that’s all it needs.
What did you think of The Paper Season 2? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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The Paper Season 2 is streaming on Peacock.
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Jerrica Tisdale
Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.