Playing Ep 18

What people are saying

• sillyhitchcock

  Overall 8.5

  Story 9,  Acting 8.5,  Music 8,  Rewatch Value 7.5

  The much-anticipated continuation of the thrilling supernatural series has graced the screens once more, inviting us back into the enigmatic world that had us hooked previously. As the sequel to the riveting and praised inaugural season, it's inevitable that a comparison ensues in a quest to gauge its brilliance.
  
  We reunite with familiar characters, including the devoted couple Ella and Maurice, whose seemingly peaceful existence takes a turn when an unexplained wet umbrella is discovered—a harbinger of secrets and forgotten memories. Maurice's mysterious behavior post his...

  trip ignites a journey back to the ominous halls of its namesake domicile. The duo's determination to unveil the truth sets us down a path tangled in questions.
  
  Retaining the fabric of the original season, the narrative weaves a singular, overarching plot complemented by haunting vignettes involving the denizens and proprietors inhabiting the storied structure. The series continues to flirt with the concepts of cause and effect, entertaining the fascinating implications of parallel universes.
  
  However, this season's vignettes appear more indiscriminate, their connection to the central storyline not as seamlessly stitched. The rhythm of the storytelling hits occasional dissonant notes, with pacing that jolts from sluggish to hasty between episodes. The attachment to the building's residents suffers as a result, as the foundation for their tales feels prematurely laid without enough preliminary interaction with our main players.
  
  The central plot, undeniably compelling, is seemingly shortchanged on screen time, and the rapid progression at the season's onset might presuppose viewers' familiarity with the show's universe—potentially leaving newcomers adrift. While standalone viewing is feasible, the fullest appreciation is undoubtedly tied to one's past pilgrimage through the inaugural season, which enriches the lore and understanding of certain characters—yes, even our enigmatic feline Lam.
  
  The fantastical elements, the entwined mysteries, and the living essence of the haunted edifice are aspects that continue to resonate. The multidimensional roles that showcase Selena Lee’s commanding performances are once again a highlight, and the multifaceted storytelling, though at times bewildering, holds a certain charm. The concluding chapter of this season leaves us suspended in a state of wonder, with various threads unfurled, beckoning for a potential future installment where perhaps our dear Lam finds a romance of his own.
  
  Despite its shortcomings when held against the spellbinding first season, the core story maintains its allure, with the mansion and its enigmas still capable of sending that delightful shiver down the spine.
  
  This season might have been accompanied by off-screen turbulence that provoked discourse, but the focus here remains squarely on the series and the worlds it conjures. So, while it may not reach the peaks of its predecessor, the series remains a captivating journey through the supernatural, with a promise that if a third chapter is to materialize, avid fans like myself will be fervently awaiting.