Out of the many Turkish shows, only some have made it to the list of chartbusters on Netflix, and As the Crow Flies is definitely one of them.
The series was released last year and became an instant hit among viewers for its scandalous setting.
Now, the second season of As the Crow Flies has premiered on Netflix with eight episodes and a slightly lengthier duration (6.5 hours) than its predecessor.
I still remember heaping praises on its first season in my review last year.
Does the successor get it right? Here’s my take.
As the Crow Flies Season 2 Synopsis
Asle is at the peak of her popularity as a news anchor. On the contrary, her idol, Lale Kiran, whom she had dethroned, is struggling to manage a life off-camera.
Will their paths collide again and if so, who will win this time?
Created by Meric Acemi, As the Crow Flies season 2 stars Birce Akalay (Lale Kiran), Miray Daner (Asle), Ibrahim Celikkol (Kenan), Irem Sak (Muge), Demircan Kacel (Yusuf), Sifanur Gul (Guliz), and others.
What Works for As the Crow Flies Season 2?
The second season of As the Crow Flies restarts the tale of jealousy, deceit, and insecurity. It forms or rather continues the storyline around these elements.
After Asli Tuna’s antics mark a scandalous end to Lale’s career, the latter goes into oblivion while the former tops the news ratings with ‘The Other Side.’
Later, Lale makes a comeback to the screen but remains at lower levels. However, Asli has a lot to deal with and take care of around her.
From media frenzies to social media drama, the primary features of the Turkish show remain the same.
We get to witness more of Lale’s past life and I think it adds depth to her character’s existence.
The pacey narrative, powered by a strong background score, ditches blandness even though familiarity carries the risk of getting repetitive.
Returning viewers will find it easy to finish in one go without a trace of boredom.
Moreover, the emphasis on emotions works decently for As the Crow Flies. You will see social media still playing a key role in the narrative with varying opinions.
Physical intimacy gets a bigger push, which was well-intended.
How are the Performances?
Continuing the tradition from my recent reviews, it’s essential to highlight some noteworthy performances that may have been overlooked in my first-season assessment.
However, it’s crucial to clarify that stalwarts like Birce Akalay, Miray Daner, and Ibrahim Celikkol have maintained their stellar performances and are by no means lacking in quality.
Irem Sak as Muge, steals your attention with her presence. Her acting genius is reflected in the sly character she plays.
The more negative it gets, the better Irem Sak becomes. Even though the audience might not like her as an individual for her escapades, people will appreciate her performance.
Demircan Kacel transforms into a better version of Yusuf in As the Crow Flies Season 2. He brings a whip-smart comportment and wins your heart.
His virtuous intensity and an honest verbal presence give a flight to Yusuf.
Sifanur Gul, taking on the role of Guliz in this Turkish drama, previously recognized for her appearance in The Tailor, continues to be a notable figure in the country’s cinema.
Despite limited screen time, Gul infuses her character with an ostentatious charm that brings a unique flavor to the narrative.
It’s refreshing to witness her in a lighter role after her impactful performance in The Tailor.
What Doesn’t Work for As the Crow Flies?
The first season was more enthralling, which had to do with uniqueness, to some extent.
Now, since we are aware of the plot beforehand, our familiarity adds some burden on the second outing.
And unfortunately, it fails to grow with time. As the Crow Flies season 2 lacks the scintillation necessary in a scandalous show, which was the life of the series.
The story figuratively runs in a similar manner but with lesser vigor and zeal. The sheer absence of hooks works against the show.
Also, in my opinion, Lale Kiran’s character needed more prominence in the narrative because of the impact she had had previously, precisely due to her aura.
Furthermore, As the Crow Flies has a very strange last episode. It seems broken, both technically and tactically.
The threads just don’t connect and the story seems forced. Out of nowhere, certain things start happening and you helplessly continue streaming.
The first thirty minutes of the eighth episode are the biggest setback of this season.
The flawed writing takes away all the good things and puts the viewing experience in peril. It’s the first time As the Crow Flies appears stretched, which ideally should not have been the case.
I guess the sudden change in the plot had to do with the end result the creators wanted to achieve. Or maybe, they threw so many buildups initially that I was expecting a better finale.
Stream or Skip?
Well, if you can, stop after the first season. My biggest complaint is with the eighth episode. Everything else comes second.
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