Summary
Although the cast remains strong, This Fool can’t overcome splotchy writing, making the second season fail to live up to its first.
This review of the Hulu series This Fool Season 2 does not contain spoilers.
The Hulu comedy This Fool has returned for a second season. The half-hour comedy occurs in South Central Los Angeles, following one man’s attempt to help his community. The series is based on the real-life events of co-creator Chris Estrada who also stars in the lead role of Julio.
This Fool season 2 review and plot summary
This Fool Season 2 follows Julio and Luis as they try to pick up the pieces from last season to chase new careers and women while they help Minister Payne and other former Huggers.
We pick up where Season 1 left off with Julio waking up in his new place where he lives with Luis. Julio is frustrated with Luis as he has just thrown in the towel on life while Julio is working his job. However, after snagging a job at the suit shop, Julio decides to help Luis get a job with him. But, when he arrives he discovers that the landlord has shut down the suit store as they sold it to developers.
While the season has some highs and lows, episodes two and three, titled “Clyde and Clyde Part 1 & 2”, are hands down some of the funniest episodes of TV I have watched all year. A man holds a liquor store hostage, and Luis and Julio are stuck inside. With his back against the wall, Julio decides that he will try and help the robber get his ransom from the cops. The banter amongst the cast here delivers some hilarious one-liners that will have you in tears.
In this day and age, good half-hour comedies are few and far between. It’s hard making comedy in this space that can capture people’s attention or even make people laugh for ten straight episodes. The writers here do their best to keep the jokes coming while trying to have a somewhat honest portrayal of the city, and for the most part, they do a good job. However, I wished the show pushed the envelope into darker comedy.
The cast is one of the main reasons why this show doesn’t fail. While the writing can often be uneven, Chris Estrada, Frank Quinones, and Michael Imperioli‘s chemistry as Julio, Luis, and Minister Payne give you that relatable feeling of friendship. They don’t always get along, heck, they often fight, but when it came down to making things happen, they had each other’s backs.
Is This Fool Season 2 good or bad?
If you look on the surface with the cast’s strong chemistry and the series having that “homey” feel, you can see where the show’s attraction may lie. However, outside of that, the series struggles with pacing issues, leading to dots not being connected until the second half of the season. The writers are trying to give the show profound meaning while simultaneously making light of the characters, and this is where the show struggles to get off its feet.
Is This Fool Season 2 worth watching?
Fans of the first season will find the season adequate for an easy binge. It’s not reinventing the comedy wheel by any stretch of the imagination, but if you found yourself connected to these characters in the first season, you’ll enjoy the ride in season two.
What did you think of This Fool Season 2? Comment below.
