“The Strain”: Season 2 (2015) / Z-View
The Strain: Season 2 (2015)
Created by: Guillermo del Toro, Chuck Hogan
Directors: Gregory Hoblit, Guillermo del Toro (ep. 1); T.J. Scott (ep. 2); Guy Ferland (ep. 3); PJ. Miles Dale (eps. 4 – 5); Howard Deutch (eps. 6 – 7); Kevin Dowling (ep. 8 – 9); Phil Abraham (ep. 10 – 11); Vincenzo Natali (eps. 12 – 13)
Screenplay: Carlton Cruse, Chuck Hogan (ep. 1, 13); David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 2, 8, 12); Regina Corrado (ep. 3, 9); Chuck Hogan (ep. 4, 7); Liz Phang (ep. 5, 10); Carlton Cruse, Regina Corrado (ep. 11); Justin Britt-Gibson, Chuck Hogan (ep. 11); Carlton Cruse, David Weddle, Bradley Thompson (ep. 12)
Stars: Corey Stoll, David Bradley, Jim Watson, Mía Maestro, Kevin Durand, Jonathan Hyde, Richard Sammel, Jack Kesy, Natalie Brown, Miguel Gomez, Max Charles, Ruta Gedmintas, Rupert Penry-Jones, Samantha Mathis, Joaquín Cosío, Adriana Barraza and Sean Astin.
Tagline: None.
The Plot…
As the strigoi (vampire) virus spreads, most of the world remains clueless. Eph and Nora continue to search for a biological response to kill the virus. The Master has a plan to use Eph’s son to get to Eph. Fet and Dutch grow closer as they clear surrounding buildings.
Gus and Vaun rebel against Eldritch Palmer. Councilwoman Justine Faraldo realizes the strigoi threat is real. She uses her security force to fight the strigoi as she rallies the community to join their efforts. Eph and Nora have success with a biological response to the strigoi, but will anyone in power outside of New York City believe the threat is real?
Setrakian and Fet learn the whereabouts of an ancient book known as the Lumen that may have the answer on how to kill the strigoi. They attempt to purchase it, but learn that Eichhorst is also trying to get it.
As the strigoi’s numbers increase, the Master’s plans move forward. The team becomes aware of Quinlan, a half-vampire, who claims he wants to destroy the Master. Can he/it be trusted?
Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…
Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan have created a modern day vampire tale with a backstory that extends not just decades, but centuries. The vampires aren’t the classic creatures of the night seen in countless movies. And the stakes aren’t just a beautiful woman’s soul. Here the fate of the world is at risk.
The writers should be commended for creating a huge cast of interesting characters with wonderful backstories. Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather played by Corey Stoll is the lead. It isn’t often the “star” is given so many character flaws. Several members of the supporting cast have lived up to the title co-star. Kudos to David Bradley as Professor Abraham Setrakian, Kevin Durand as Vasiliy Fet and Miguel Gomez as Augustin “Gus” Elizalde for playing characters that make the show sing. Jonathan Hyde as Eldritch Palmer, the sickly billionaire who aides the Master and Richard Sammel as Thomas Eichhorst, the Nazi vampire acolyte who has served the Master for decades deserve kudos as well. Season two welcomes Rupert Penry-Jones as Quinlan and Samantha Mathis as Justine Feraldo the tough councilwoman who refuses to run from the crisis.
Although Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan wrote a Strain trilogy of novels, the series doesn’t follow them exactly.
The Strain: Season 2 (2015) earns 5 of 5 stars.