Altered Carbon

:

Season 2
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Feb 2, 2018
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
3.7

Generally unfavorable reviews- based on 142 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 31 out of 142
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 142
  3. Negative: 81 out of 142

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User Reviews

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  1. dc127
    Aug 15, 2020
    3
    I read the Altered Carbon novel and thought it was decent but not amazing. I had the same thoughts for Season 1 of the show. I thought it was a worthwhile adaptation and a decent show to binge. I started Season 2 since with Covid running rampant I have a lot of down time. It isn't good. In fact is just bad. The writing is terrible and the acting is atrocious. Anthony Mackie is wooden asI read the Altered Carbon novel and thought it was decent but not amazing. I had the same thoughts for Season 1 of the show. I thought it was a worthwhile adaptation and a decent show to binge. I started Season 2 since with Covid running rampant I have a lot of down time. It isn't good. In fact is just bad. The writing is terrible and the acting is atrocious. Anthony Mackie is wooden as the lead and the supporting cast isn't any better. The changes to Falconer that they made from the book just don't work. She isn't an inspirational character and I just don't care about her character at all. They have her set up as this messianic figure but really she is just an angry child. She just wants to murder, murder, murder, and cause uprisings. It was also kind of odd how they really upped the wokeness quotient. All of the leads are non-white, with one being a lesbian, while the badguys are mostly men and white with a few exceptions. This is pretty standard fare with Netflix, but with how terrible the acting was it felt like they put identity over quality.… Expand
  2. xdae
    Feb 28, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Just binge watched the entire 2nd season on the premiere date and it’s disappointing. The plot goes wayyyy off the rails. The writers rush the scenes with random inventions and loop holes to answer impossible events. Literally magical **** is pulled out left and right to steer the characters back on track. By the end everything is possible and nothing makes sense. There’s no more logic or foundation to the plot anymore. There’s only last second magical **** popping up to save the day. The series is ruined time to put it on ice.… Expand
  3. ComandanteCobra
    Mar 4, 2020
    3
    Season One: Very good.
    Season Two: Not good. Dull. Only pew pew pew and sadly very bad ones too.
    In just 3 episodes you will see every one-line, every stereotype and every pre generated character of every action sci-fi movies (or videogame) ever . Plot suffer of the same problems. It's look like a fan fiction, sadly. I didn't read the books so I can't make comparisons with original    Season One: Very good.
    Season Two: Not good. Dull. Only pew pew pew and sadly very bad ones too.
    In just 3 episodes you will see every one-line, every stereotype and every pre generated character of every action sci-fi movies (or videogame) ever .
    Plot suffer of the same problems. It's look like a fan fiction, sadly.
    I didn't read the books so I can't make comparisons with original materials.    … Expand
  4. Cobthecrazed
    Feb 27, 2020
    3
    Meh, after the first couple of episodes. Mackie plays a very stiff Kovacs, Who seems much more interested in being sarcastic than actually accomplishing anything. Gilchrist starts out very annoying, and continues along that route as they try to figure out why her brain is messed up! Chemistry between the two is virtually non-existent. Thinking there really shooting more for a politicallyMeh, after the first couple of episodes. Mackie plays a very stiff Kovacs, Who seems much more interested in being sarcastic than actually accomplishing anything. Gilchrist starts out very annoying, and continues along that route as they try to figure out why her brain is messed up! Chemistry between the two is virtually non-existent. Thinking there really shooting more for a politically correct version of altered carbon in season two, and having a storyline that actually makes any sense! You'll watch it, and you'll watch it till the end of the season, but you won't walk away with any real feeling!… Expand
  5. DeltaFenix
    Feb 27, 2020
    3
    Very far removed from season 1 and not in a good way. Anthony Mackie is underwhelming and proves to be a bland lead despite being very captivating and fun in the MCU movies. They tried to make this season very tame, playing it very safe whilst offering no substance. Just watch season 1 and be done with the series, you will be happier.
  6. Joinseekers
    Mar 8, 2020
    3
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. *Some season 1 spoilers ahead; no season 2 spoilers*

    Altered Carbon is one of my favorite book series - it's a Film Noir private eye sci-fi with big ideas, amazing characters and plot twists that make your head spin. So I was extremely excited when Season 1 launched. While they didn't stick to all story elements, the trade-off the production did were quite good. I didn't particularly like what they've done to role of Envoys (a core element in the books that was basically beaten to a pulp in the series), the identity of Ray (Tak's former boss rather than sister), or the background of Quell herself (inventor of stack technology?! Where did that come from?) - but there were other decisions that made up for all of this. The casting is extremely good for all roles, there were small, pleasant surprises such as elevating the hotel AI to a quirky character and using a goon's body to host Ortega's grandma. Overall it was a great viewing, and I was really waiting for season 2.

    Which is a big f***ing disappointment.

    If you've read the books (Broken Angels, Woken Furies) I'd say it's not even worth watching - it will simply ruin them for you. The plot takes elements from both books, throws them together against the wall like sticky pasta, and serves whatever drops to the ground. It's a hodge podge. It has terrible casting for almost all characters. The locations are extremely limited and under-developed. It takes scenes that could have been immortal and makes them lame. I'd say that the ONLY good thing about season 2 is the role of the AI characters - this part was done really well. But everything else is just horrible, and not worth the watch. It's better to stick to season 1, and imagine season 2 was never made.    … Expand
  7. Spiralus
    Feb 28, 2020
    2
    I gave season 1 a 6 which, in hindsight, was generous. I know this now because i expected season 2 to be awful. . And yup. Episode one doubled down on all the worst parts from the first season. Stupid fight scenes, stupid motivations masquerading as deep. Thin world building. Trying to be cool like preteens. It comes off as awkward and painfully shallow. Screw this train wreck. This isI gave season 1 a 6 which, in hindsight, was generous. I know this now because i expected season 2 to be awful. . And yup. Episode one doubled down on all the worst parts from the first season. Stupid fight scenes, stupid motivations masquerading as deep. Thin world building. Trying to be cool like preteens. It comes off as awkward and painfully shallow. Screw this train wreck. This is coming from a lover of sci fi. I know its silly but im sad this show is so bad. I feel like the budget that should have been targeted towards me was aimed at morons who think sword fights are cool. Like i got lumped with them. I kind of hate whoever made these decisions. I still have the expanse.… Expand
  8. Agentsmith35
    Apr 2, 2020
    2
    Really failed to capture the dirty desperate cyberpunk atmosphere of season one. Plot was less intriguing. You got the feeling they were working with a lower budget.
  9. nickycakes
    Feb 29, 2020
    2
    Really enjoyed season 1. This season, however, was a huge disappointment. Bad casting for the lead...actually most of the new characters. The sidekick bounty hunter is completely unnecessary, has a story nobody would care about, and seems shoehorned into the show for some reason. There is basically no plot or mystery like the first season. The fight had their moments, but for the mostReally enjoyed season 1. This season, however, was a huge disappointment. Bad casting for the lead...actually most of the new characters. The sidekick bounty hunter is completely unnecessary, has a story nobody would care about, and seems shoehorned into the show for some reason. There is basically no plot or mystery like the first season. The fight had their moments, but for the most part were ridiculous. The technobabble was off the charts and really cringeworthy. If they do a 3rd season, hopefully they get better writing and acting and a real story.… Expand
  10. npurgar
    Feb 29, 2020
    2
    What a sterile piece of a tv show. I literally felt nothing when watching this, nothing for the actors or even the story or setting. It's like Netflix gave some teens/bearded hipsters milions of dollars to make something and all the could do is craft some kind of lifeless cyberpunk O.C. or Tree Hill where 95% of dialogue is saying some empty phrases for all times, and remaining 5% is whenWhat a sterile piece of a tv show. I literally felt nothing when watching this, nothing for the actors or even the story or setting. It's like Netflix gave some teens/bearded hipsters milions of dollars to make something and all the could do is craft some kind of lifeless cyberpunk O.C. or Tree Hill where 95% of dialogue is saying some empty phrases for all times, and remaining 5% is when someone says something just to push the 'story.' 95% of conversations are just unnecessary and pointless because the characters are saying them in a bad way. The camera or shooting of the scenes is so beginner level and uninspirational, characters entering rooms and starting boring 'conversations', acting 'cool' (cool in the way of these teens/hipsters). Action scenes were like of those from 90s trash movies and tv shows, there is just no any forward momentum for a viever to watch because all he gets is dissapointment.… Expand
  11. Eastw1ng
    Mar 2, 2020
    2
    Bad acting and a terrible first episode. The storyline is very predictable and not very interesting. This is truly a bad sequel.
  12. red_ninja_9
    Feb 29, 2020
    2
    Dude...Anthony Mackie isn’t charismatic or interesting as the lead. He has as much personality as a tree. Got bored after 1st episode, the more I watch the worst it got. The only thing that kept the show going for me was Trepp...I quit after 3rd episode. Sad!
  13. JonnyMenthol
    Feb 28, 2020
    2
    They **** it. They **** it so, so badly. Should have done a prequel or hell, even a retcon to keep the last season going would have been better.

    Oh and as usual, woke critic love wokeness over substance. Fools.
  14. RobbD
    Feb 28, 2020
    2
    The second season is WORSE than the first one. Joel Kinnaman looked significantly better in the role of Takeshi Kovacs than Anthony Mackie.

    I really expected the continuation of this intriguing show, and I can say with confidence that I am very disappointed!!! I get the impression that the scriptwriters did not read the book. Flat characters that are not even interesting to each    The second season is WORSE than the first one. Joel Kinnaman looked significantly better in the role of Takeshi Kovacs than Anthony Mackie.

    I really expected the continuation of this intriguing show, and I can say with confidence that I am very disappointed!!!

    I get the impression that the scriptwriters did not read the book.

    Flat characters that are not even interesting to each other, absolutely disregard for the setting and the rules dictated by him, an attempt to give the plot at least some motivation in the form of banal love-family dramas.

    A primitive scenario for the mentally retarded. In the second season, there is an impression that this story is not about cynical cyberpunk, scary corporations, this is a story about LOVE, science fiction is just the scenery.

    The first season - 8/10
    Second season - 2/10    … Expand
  15. FishDragin
    Mar 1, 2020
    2
    It's just not that good. They blew their budget on season one or never had one for season two, the story feels like it was written for crappy prime Time TV.
  16. Croboy
    Mar 2, 2020
    2
    As someone who is a big fan of the novels, this season ( and the previous, although I thought the first was better) are a big disappointment. The source material is just so ultra-cool cyberpunk noir, with one of the most interesting, bad-ass anti-hero protagonist I've ever come across. The Netflix series doesn't even come close, the scripting & characterization are a poor hatchet job ofAs someone who is a big fan of the novels, this season ( and the previous, although I thought the first was better) are a big disappointment. The source material is just so ultra-cool cyberpunk noir, with one of the most interesting, bad-ass anti-hero protagonist I've ever come across. The Netflix series doesn't even come close, the scripting & characterization are a poor hatchet job of the source material. Oh, a love story between Takeshi & Quell! Please don't make me puke. I recommend reading the novels instead, or watch 'The Expanse' on Amazon instead, one the best sci-fi shows in the past couple of years.… Expand
  17. Izex
    Jun 28, 2020
    2
    Super bad compared to first one. And cant for the love of god see what critics liked about it. Dull take and dark and beautiful world. And new Takeshi eas way way of.
  18. N_ck-cz
    Mar 1, 2020
    1
    Skydance make another bollywood trash. Same as last Terminator, Gemini Man or 6 Underground. If you want really good story, buy a book.
  19. inZa
    Mar 19, 2020
    1
    Season one was awesome dystopic, cyberpunk story. Season 2 is mild weak and boring. The main hero lacks his personality from season one and act and behave totally different. What a ruination of promising serie..
  20. signum88
    Feb 29, 2020
    1
    The acting, CGI, story, cast and fighting choreography have all unfortunately been downgraded severely. Season 1 was one of the best cyberpunk themed shows on TV but this is a D+ level show with cartoon villains and inconsistent characters. Big disappointment :(
  21. Droidorat
    Mar 18, 2020
    1
    Witcher called and said Netflix did that Netflix thing again

    It’s just so bad I cannot compare them two seasons really
  22. Rtaz
    Mar 1, 2020
    1
    After brilliant season 1, this is just so sub-par. Mackie is not really delivering like Kinneman, tho writing and plot is just horrible. Where's the punk from Cyberpunk? Gone.
  23. hailtothethief
    Mar 16, 2020
    1
    The second season is a space soap opera that only recycles ideas from the first season without developing the story in any interesting way.

    They don’t expand on the world, or give characters any depth (all Kovacs talks about the whole season is how he loves Quell). They don’t address any questions on human ethics, mortality, gender roles, wealth inequality or the growing divide between    The second season is a space soap opera that only recycles ideas from the first season without developing the story in any interesting way.

    They don’t expand on the world, or give characters any depth (all Kovacs talks about the whole season is how he loves Quell). They don’t address any questions on human ethics, mortality, gender roles, wealth inequality or the growing divide between social classes that the first season does. There’s no mystery to keep you hooked. Instead we’re given a noticeably lower budget space romance with a predictable plot.

    I won’t criticize the acting because these low cost writers they hired could make any actor look bad. The last fight scene somehow reminded me of power rangers... and now it will for you too.    … Expand
  24. Dan11219
    Apr 27, 2020
    1
    An amazing 1 series, ruined in a 2nd series by new show runners trying to change things to make it more ‘mainstream’. Season 1 filled a much needed void in TV, fans of dystopian cyberpunk noir have little to flock to from modern day TV & Film - Bladerunner 2049, Upgrade, Dredd to name a few. AC season 1 took the gritty, urban, futuristic theme and smashed it out of the park. People areAn amazing 1 series, ruined in a 2nd series by new show runners trying to change things to make it more ‘mainstream’. Season 1 filled a much needed void in TV, fans of dystopian cyberpunk noir have little to flock to from modern day TV & Film - Bladerunner 2049, Upgrade, Dredd to name a few. AC season 1 took the gritty, urban, futuristic theme and smashed it out of the park. People are craving this style of show right now, just look at all the hype around Cyperpunk 2077, probably one of the most anticipated video game releases in recent memory (Although this is also down to CDPR as a company) What do the new show runners do with series 2 of AC? Remove the gritty feel

    Remove the dystopian urban landscape

    Completely mess up the casting to the point where Kovacs isn’t Kovacs

    Remove the dark plot line intertwined with the universe around it

    What do they replace it with?

    A set design that looks like any cheap generic sci-fi show found on daytime TV, mainly in small offices, caves, or woods

    An actor (a good actor, mind) that is terrible for the role, he cannot portray anywhere near the depth of Joel as Kovacs and in my mind didn’t understand the character he was playing

    A ‘fairy tale’ love story completely disassociated with what people are actually looking for when they tune in to a gritty, futuristic metropolis of a universe.

    I genuinely forced myself to finish series 2, where as series 1 is one of my favourite shows of all time. This review is the only reason I made a metacritic account, it’s annoyed me this much. Netflix sort yourself out for this one please. TLDR; new show runners are muppets who don’t know what they’re doing, bring back the charm of series 1.    … Expand
  25. metacritiqueur
    Aug 6, 2020
    1
    Season 2 is pure trash. Characters sucks (Mackie is a bad actor), story ... hmmm story ? Season 1 was so good, with dark atmosphere like Blade Runner...
  26. Br3ntKH
    May 10, 2022
    1
    With very few interesting SciFi shows, season one was a breath of fresh air to the space. Season two was super disappointing with no character development and a forced storyline. I would skip it.
  27. Codex
    Jun 19, 2020
    0
    This season was awful. Each episode was a chore to watch. I kept watching hope it would get better that we would get a glimmer of the genius of the first season. Sadly it left me completely disappointed. As far as I'm concerned, altered carbon only had one season. I don't know how Netflix always drops the ball with 2nd seasons
  28. mercury1987
    Mar 4, 2020
    0
    Again netflix did the most netflix thing they could, turned a white main character into black. At least they had an excuse to do so but still the new cast is terrible in this season.
  29. ManRammer
    Apr 27, 2020
    0
    This season was a super big letdown. Mackie is just completely a wooden plank compared to the previous Kinnaman. No offense to Mackie as a person. He's just a very bad fit. The story has so many McGuffins and Deus Ex Machinas that it felt like pure fan fiction aimed at teenagers. That film noir cyberpunk detective feeling, setting and acting is all just gone. Environments look boring, darkThis season was a super big letdown. Mackie is just completely a wooden plank compared to the previous Kinnaman. No offense to Mackie as a person. He's just a very bad fit. The story has so many McGuffins and Deus Ex Machinas that it felt like pure fan fiction aimed at teenagers. That film noir cyberpunk detective feeling, setting and acting is all just gone. Environments look boring, dark and brown. The actors are so bad that it feels like I am watching a low budget day time TV soap opera. None of the moral and emotional complexity of Kovacs is there. His sharp envoy mind is set aside to become entirely a character with no proactive moves, and acts only reactively to how the story wants him to move. The bounty hunter girl with the coils has the stage presence of a tame lunch lady, and just can't even in the slightest way convey that she is a badass bounty hunter. It also has the New Star Wars syndrome of 'why are these characters all friends now and trust each other when they don't know each other and they have all grown up in dirty murderous environments.' It is just.. bad. So bad. DO NOT WATCH… Expand
  30. ali_khunaizi
    Mar 7, 2020
    0
    Season 1 was Great, in all aspects.. at least from the point of my view, season 2, they will try to make it look like we are just racest and having black actor, not our thing but no my dears, it's not the matter of color at all, the acting was too bad even for the avenger falcon who was soo great in marvel worlds, so obviously it's the director fault in this season,
    the scenes will appeal    Season 1 was Great, in all aspects.. at least from the point of my view, season 2, they will try to make it look like we are just racest and having black actor, not our thing but no my dears, it's not the matter of color at all, the acting was too bad even for the avenger falcon who was soo great in marvel worlds, so obviously it's the director fault in this season,
    the scenes will appeal to your eyes like a mesh mash of expensive production and cheap acting and directing,
    other things were just fine, it's too unfortunate to see good piece of art, lost its way and becomes a cheap project failing to oblivion.    … Expand
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed TV Season of 2020

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
65

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Salon
    Reviewed by: Melanie McFarland
    Feb 28, 2020
    60
    Missick's addition to the cast changes up the chemistry in good ways, mostly owing to the actor's winning persona and its great fit with Mackie's Kovacs. ... The story itself its somewhat downgraded from a provocative examination of the role mortality plays in defining our humanity to a soap opera with a whole lot of gratuitous punching, kicking, and bleeding – much of it occurring in the premiere.
    Read full review
  2. IndieWire
    Reviewed by: Ben Travers
    Feb 27, 2020
    67
    The distinct episodes help keep viewers invested when “Altered Carbon” goes too heavy on diegetic mumbo jumbo or changes its own rules to set up silly twists.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    Reviewed by: Clint Worthington
    Feb 27, 2020
    67
    The philosophical underpinnings of a show about revenge, redemption, and the little tragedies that come from solving mortality, often give way to schlocky action and slick neon-soaked production design. But under Schapker’s direction, and a new cast comprised chiefly of extremely charismatic actors of color, Altered Carbon may have just found a way to cheat its own death.
    Read full review
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