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. Nthy
    Mar 1, 2020
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Amazing show. A philosopher once said, no man can step into the same river twice, for the second time it's not the same river and he's not the same man. Last season was a "noir detective story"-inspired mystery, and a Kovacs fresh off a long spell on ice, and he was sad to be brought back into a world he had fought so hard to stop. In the intervening time much has changed. Now we have a Kovacs who has a purpose of his own now and is driven, almost obsessed, with the idea that he might have a chance of finding her. This season is more akin to a James Bond story. Kovacs finds himself fighting to unravel the threads of a dangerous plot before those threads strangle him. Everything goes wrong for Kovacs right from the start and the result is a fast paced ride through a compelling story of ghosts, love, fear, ambition, retribution, crimes, history, and loss. As always the series reflects on what it even means to be human in a world where consciousness has been digitised. We can be transferred from sleeve to sleeve or beamed across the stars, but can we still retain what makes us who we are? Series 2 delves even deeper into the world, exploring things we only got the tiniest taste of in season 1. Each of the actors old and new does a fantastic job, and the writing is excellent. The only sin this tv show has committed so far is that it's too good for this world, and I can't shake the feeling that shortsighted corporate bean counters are going to pull the plug on it eventually.… Expand
  2. Victor2049
    Mar 4, 2020
    8
    Right off the bat the characters of season 2 are a lot more like-able than season 1. Anthony Mackie portrays Tak well enough and he’s a good addition. However, season 2 was a rollercoaster. The first episode was pretty great, but episodes 2,3, and 4 were very shaky and sometimes very average. The second half of the season is where it all picks up and the finale is fantastic. If there’s oneRight off the bat the characters of season 2 are a lot more like-able than season 1. Anthony Mackie portrays Tak well enough and he’s a good addition. However, season 2 was a rollercoaster. The first episode was pretty great, but episodes 2,3, and 4 were very shaky and sometimes very average. The second half of the season is where it all picks up and the finale is fantastic. If there’s one thing this show is consistently good with is finales. On the other hand, season 2 feels a lot less grand and deep than season 1. So many intriguing ideas are given in this season but aren’t explored much or at all it feels very superficial and shallow at times. The sets feel less grand/ cyberpunk-y (but that may be a purposeful choice to fit the narrative of desperation). Overall, the first season was stronger than season 2 but not by much. I’d give Season 1 (8/10) and Season 2 (7.5/10).… Expand
  3. kingkay
    Feb 29, 2020
    8
    I do like Anthony Mackie as an actor and I think he did a good Kovacs. He made Kovacs more empathetic, which was a necessary improvement in my opinion, which I appreciate. Speaking of empathy: Poe was my highlight of the season. What a guy. Overall I felt like the season improved on what was already good and fixed what might fell a little flat like the visuals. No need for a few scenes ofI do like Anthony Mackie as an actor and I think he did a good Kovacs. He made Kovacs more empathetic, which was a necessary improvement in my opinion, which I appreciate. Speaking of empathy: Poe was my highlight of the season. What a guy. Overall I felt like the season improved on what was already good and fixed what might fell a little flat like the visuals. No need for a few scenes of big CGI Cities which swallow the budget and already look outdated like in the first season. Instead the overall visual quality improved. The image is sharp and the camera work, while at first a little jumpy improved a lot, which made the whole series look more cinematic. And while the sets were sized down their overall quality have been improved, which made them more realistic, which helped with the atmosphere in return.
    The story was less of a space Noir and while the overall pacing is different it is still good - just in a different way. Some character fates seamed too inconsequential in the end but over it felt like a less gritty but more polished season of altered carbon.    … Expand
  4. papadrew7
    Feb 27, 2020
    7
    I loved the first season and watched it twice but this season is just not as good. The new main character, anthony mackie, did well enough to keep me watching but I feel the previous actor did a better job. Where this season failed were side plots that I didn't care about. I don't care that your A.I. friend has issues with his programing. Just fix it and be done with it! The new bountyI loved the first season and watched it twice but this season is just not as good. The new main character, anthony mackie, did well enough to keep me watching but I feel the previous actor did a better job. Where this season failed were side plots that I didn't care about. I don't care that your A.I. friend has issues with his programing. Just fix it and be done with it! The new bounty hunter kovacs deals with I didn't like and I didn't buy that she was some great warrior either. The one who keeps me interested in the show is the mesmerizing Falconer. Amazing acting by Renee that steals the show. I mainly gave this a 7/10 because the story felt like it was going anywhere and the show didn't pay any attention to why the stacks robbed humans of their humanity like season 1 did. Also this season felt more like a PG-13 series while season 1 felt edgy and tastefully used violence to tell its story.… Expand
  5. Voodoo123
    Mar 15, 2020
    6
    Acs2 is not as bold as season one, a more restrained approach to the scope of the plot has some benefits but ultimately I felt less emotionally connected to the characters and the screenplay seemed bareboned stood next to the complex weave of dialogue in s1. Mackie does ok here but his takeshi plays it more cool and serious so seems less desperate snarky and vulnerable which is something IAcs2 is not as bold as season one, a more restrained approach to the scope of the plot has some benefits but ultimately I felt less emotionally connected to the characters and the screenplay seemed bareboned stood next to the complex weave of dialogue in s1. Mackie does ok here but his takeshi plays it more cool and serious so seems less desperate snarky and vulnerable which is something I miss from kinneman's version (which brought a much needed sense of balanced humanity to this ridiculously op character!). Overall this was an entertaining if less memorable trip this time around.… Expand
  6. viroodiem
    Mar 7, 2020
    6
    Definitely a step backwards.

    The second season kicks itself off with a huge mistake. With basically two years since the last season, there should have been a season 1 recap built into the first episode. While that is not a fatal flaw, it is indicative of the problems that the season faces. The entire premise was always one that was convoluted by its very nature. Characters popping    Definitely a step backwards.

    The second season kicks itself off with a huge mistake. With basically two years since the last season, there should have been a season 1 recap built into the first episode. While that is not a fatal flaw, it is indicative of the problems that the season faces.

    The entire premise was always one that was convoluted by its very nature. Characters popping back and forth between actors is ambitious but its implementation is questionable and season 2 illustrates why.

    It takes a special kind of actor to be able to pull off multi character acting in the same show (think Tatiana Maslany in Orphan Black) and while the actors in this show are decent actors, none of them are that level of chameleon actor to pull these types of characters off.

    Beyond that, everything looks much more generic this season. As if the budget for the second season was dramatically reduced. Which with how well received the first season was, there is no excuse for that.

    The writing also took a bit of a hit this time. Becoming much more sci fi trope-y than the first season. Pushing toward the dreaded Firefly effect of being a sci fi show where everyone is a bad ass in their own right which is not only been dull since it first started emerging, in recent media its been done to death.

    The upside is that the narrative in this season did a better job at fleshing out the world and history, it was still drip fed and not really all that intriguing.

    So definitely a step backwards, but did some positive world building that can be improved upon IF it manages to eek out a third season which at this point does seem questionable.    … Expand
  7. Dubeau
    Mar 1, 2020
    6
    AC Season 2 has a story which is in continuity with the first season (somewhat). The story about the AI Poe and Digg are the most interesting and touching. But the scifi aspects of the show is almost non present. All the fight scenes are in the dark. Where is the daylight filming in this movie ? There is no detective work here. It's just a military drama with some bits of politics. TheAC Season 2 has a story which is in continuity with the first season (somewhat). The story about the AI Poe and Digg are the most interesting and touching. But the scifi aspects of the show is almost non present. All the fight scenes are in the dark. Where is the daylight filming in this movie ? There is no detective work here. It's just a military drama with some bits of politics. The actors are believable, nothing more. I did like the AI acting, they were very special in their delivery. All the undergrounds and dark filming was just a poor choice. I give it 65%. Technically worst in filming with a story that could have more potential.… Expand
  8. thelettere
    Mar 12, 2020
    6
    I'm a sucker for sci-fi, particularly sci-fi that explores issues in non-idiotic ways. Altered Carbon is the rare show that accomplishes this - yes, including in this second season.

    I definitely missed the actor from season 1, and was skeptical about Mackie - but he won me over. He's not terribly charismatic and the humor was definitely not there like the first season, but he was solid    I'm a sucker for sci-fi, particularly sci-fi that explores issues in non-idiotic ways. Altered Carbon is the rare show that accomplishes this - yes, including in this second season.

    I definitely missed the actor from season 1, and was skeptical about Mackie - but he won me over. He's not terribly charismatic and the humor was definitely not there like the first season, but he was solid and toed the line between being convincingly tough and also capable of displaying emotion that conveys to the viewer. I found him watchable and was rooting for him - so he did his job.

    The writing, while rarely brilliant, was never stupid - something one cannot say about something like 99% of sci-fi shows. So that's a big win. And at moments it gets close to poignant.

    I do need to watch season 1 again for comparison to see if I agree with the consensus here about a drop in quality. But I do remember the last episode being so dumb I stopped watching it - which didn't happen here. So while it perhaps does not quite reach the heights of season 1, it also doesn't descend to the same depths.

    Edit: just watched season 1 again. Can confirm there is a definitive drop in the quality of the cinematography, and a slight one for the writing. In contrast season 2 comes off like a WB show, as other reviewers have noted. So not a great look, but still watchable.    … Expand
  9. AthanasiosT
    Apr 4, 2020
    5
    Not as good as season 1. Nice production and cyberpunk atmosphere, but lacked in story and acting. With such abrupt changes between seasons, I always get the feeling that the show's writers changed. It's a shame, because the 1st season was very promising.
  10. ozymandias79
    Mar 3, 2020
    5
    Backing up the first season was always going to be difficult, but damn, talk about dropping the ball. They probably shouldn't have blown half the budget on the Avenger (he was awful btw). Bad acting, predicable story line, almost non-existent special effects. Bring back the people responsible for the first epic series, because season 2 was average!
  11. Willar
    Mar 1, 2020
    5
    I was a big fan of the first season but this is a backwards step. The casting, in general, isn't great but mainly it is just Mackie. He is just a boring actor.
  12. Jagen
    Sep 28, 2022
    5
    A real disappointment after the previous generally good season. I liked the change of cast to fit the transhuman theme, but poor writing really let the season down.
  13. AWESOM-0
    Feb 29, 2020
    4
    Disappointing. I like the casting and I’m a fan of mackie and lee, but man its sad to see a good novel lose its way. It’s not all the fault of this season, I think some of the errors they made during season one has come back to bite them in the ass. It went from being a blade runnerish novel to a silly action/adventure.
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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.
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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.
  22. 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
  23. 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
  24. 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.
  25. 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!
  26. 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.
  27. 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
  28. 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.
  29. 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
  30. 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.
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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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