Review: ‘The End of the F***ing World’ (Series 2)

Today I wanted to write a review of ‘The End of the F***ing World’. I watched the first series of this show a few years ago and I really enjoyed it, so when the second series came out- I binged it in two days!

This series is unlike anything else I’ve ever watched, and it has even be described as a “cult TV phenomenon“. It’s unique in its genre- sometimes touching, sometimes violent, sometimes really funny. I was so excited to get back into the minds of Alyssa and James, and see where the second series would take them.

The second series of ‘The End of the F***ing World’ starts a year after the first series ended. James is recovering in hospital, and Alyssa is living with her mum and Aunt, out in a cabin the woods. She’s about to get married to Todd, and it seems she’s clearly wrestling with the actions of the year before. As always the various settings of this series are dark and twisted, and this second series took the characters through the winding roads of the woods near where Alyssa now lives.

As well as focusing on James and Alyssa, the second series also follows Bonnie’s story. Bonnie is a new character, but her story is inextricably linked to Alyssa and James. Brought up in an oppressive household, Bonnie is taught that someone must be punished if they have done a bad thing. Because of this childhood, Bonnie believes she must exact revenge on anyone who wrongs her. Working at a University library, she meets Professor Clive Koch, and a relationship soon starts between the two of them.

It is Clive Koch that Alyssa and James killed in the first series. Professor Koch preys on young girls, and so when he tried to rape Alyssa, James was quick to act. So the second series leads on from this, following Bonnie’s discovery of her “lover’s” murder, and her plans to exact revenge on Alyssa and James. She is blind to the fact that Clive was raping young women, and she truly believes that James and Alyssa killed her boyfriend, an innocent man.

I really enjoyed the second series of this show, and it was as good as the first series (if not better). I love Alyssa and James. They are straight-talking and mean, but their stories are also incredibly touching. I liked how this series depicted the mental struggles Alyssa faces as she tries to forget what happened with Clive, and her story really develops throughout this series.

I also love the way these two characters interact, and I think it’s really clever to include their direct narration as it gives the audience the chance to get into their heads.

This series covers some important themes, which were dealt with in a very honest, real, and gritty way. This series shows that not everything can be taken at face value. Yes, Bonnie wants to exact revenge on James and Alyssa, but she’s obviously a very complex character who has many issues- some of which resulting from her oppressive upbringing.

Additionally, James and Alyssa commit murder- but again they are not bad people. This show considers the complex reasons why people do what they do, and that not everything is as black and white as we could first presume.

This series also shows the power of love- and how misguided it can be. Bonnie truly believes the Professor is in love with her, and she is blind to his acts of rape on innocent young girls. She doesn’t want to believe that her boyfriend would be evil, and so instead she focuses her attention on getting revenge on Alyssa and James.

All in all, I really enjoyed the second series of this show. Like the first series, it was strange but touching, and really well put together. I was hooked from the first episode, and I really enjoyed getting into the twisted minds of the characters. I like it when a show makes you question the actions of the characters and re-think your viewpoint. I’m really glad the second series didn’t disappoint!

Did you enjoy my review of ‘The End of the F***ing World’? What do you think of Alyssa, James, and Bonnie’s stories? Would you give this series a go?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

Picture credits here