Poker Face Season 2 Got 100% on RT, but Fans Are Still Disappointed

In 2023, Rian Johnson seemed to have found the perfect crime TV format. Poker Face is a project that turns the genre upside down: instead of a whodunit, the showrunner makes a howcatchem.

We know who the criminal is, the only question is whether amateur investigator Charlie, played by Natasha Lyonne, with her ability to sense lies, will be able to figure out the villain.

Poker Face Fans Are Disappointed With Season 2, Despite Its High Scores

Each episode of the first season was a witty short story about envy, art, love and rivalry. However, it seems that Poker Face should have remained a limited series – although the second season received high scores, fans agree that it lacks the light-hearted but gripping nature of the first season.

As Reddit user CapnZapp pointed out:

“I LOVED the first season but... anyone else thinking something is... off with S2? [...] The great part about S1 was how it managed to be both silly and engaging at the same time. Both S2 episodes I've seen felt like they were trying too hard. It felt contrived and a bit forced.”

Redditor NashMatt04 agrees that it's simply impossible to replicate the mood of Season 1 the second time around:

“The first season told such a concise and compartmentalized story, and yet each episode felt like its own story as well, that’s it’s hard to capture that feeling again I think.”

Season 2 Relies Less on Thrilling Mysteries and More on A-List Actors

Other fans feel that the second season relies too much on famous actors. This has become a bit of a streaming affliction in recent years – when viewers are drawn in not by a well-thought-out plot or unique concept, but by big names in the credits.

This is less true of Poker Face, but now that the novelty of the original concept of an amateur detective who literally senses lies has worn off, it seems that this is exactly the trick the creators of the second season have turned to – among the guest stars are such big names as Awkwafina, Cynthia Erivo, Katie Holmes and many others.

With only three episodes out so far, Poker Face may yet return to its effortless charm, but for now, the second chapter of Charlie's adventures feels like an unnecessary sequel made only to repeat the ratings success of the first season, not to develop the artistic side of the show.

What Did Critics Viewers Think of Poker Face Season 2?

The Guardian critic Rachel Aroesti gave Season 2 three out of five stars, saying:

“What's not to love? The mysteries themselves, mainly. [...] Despite the variety of settings [...], the mechanics can feel repetitive.”

• Poker Face Season 2 has 100% from critics and 76% from viewers, while Season 1 has 98% from critics and 81% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, Season 2 has a score of 7.6/10 based on three episodes, while Season 1 has a score of 7.9/10.