The Strain

:

Season 2
  • Network: FX
  • Series Premiere Date: Jul 13, 2014
Season #: 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
7.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 86 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 62 out of 86
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 86
  3. Negative: 10 out of 86
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User Reviews

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  1. brentwshelton1
    Sep 11, 2015
    6
    I was torn between rating this Season a 6 and a 7 even though I am liking this season a bit more than the first. Ultimately, I decided on the 6 because the story is progressing well and the villains (both human and non-human) have been pretty well established but still able to throw in some new twists like the addition of Ephs (now vampire) wife and the spider/bind child posse sheI was torn between rating this Season a 6 and a 7 even though I am liking this season a bit more than the first. Ultimately, I decided on the 6 because the story is progressing well and the villains (both human and non-human) have been pretty well established but still able to throw in some new twists like the addition of Ephs (now vampire) wife and the spider/bind child posse she controls as being more of a factor to look out for than just the Master. The down side is: (a) I cannot stand the child actor that is the new replacement for Eph's son. He seems to be capable of only one facial expression which is a combination of "Yeah, I'm a super cool kid actor acting rebellious and whiny. I can barely tolerate the (blessedly few and brief) times he has dialogue….and (b) Ephs "alcoholism" is an unnecessary, trite, and distracting prop addition since it seems primarily to consist of the camera focusing on him dramatically drinking (e.g. as he cuts his hair, sits on a train, etc) but it never amounts to more than that more. Trust me, I know this show will never fall into a "must see" category - only the guilty pleasure one but given all of that - I am glad its been renewed for a 3rd season (just please please please replace the kid!)… Expand
  2. brutus1
    Aug 1, 2015
    4
    Hi, We just watched first two episodes of season 2. First word that comes to mind is yuck! All the gore,not getting why. I fast forwarded so many parts had to go back and listen to the parts where there was some dialogue. But that even was bit of a disappointment. Scare and gross you out and then let you down with most of the script. Hope it gets better. Pat
  3. imthenoob
    Jan 14, 2016
    6
    Lack of story/character progression is a big flaw in this season. 13 episodes and it feels like they didn't go any where with the plot. The story could have been told in 5 episodes and was dragged on for 13. For some reason, It's a big drop off from season 1 and it's disappointing.
  4. Bitmouse
    Jul 1, 2017
    6
    I have a love hate relationship with this show. Sometimes in my head I call it, "The Strain," as in it's a strain to watch it.

    That being said, over all it's pretty good. But, they need to freakin' kill off Zach. They replaced the decent but annoying kid from the first season with an even more annoying one for the second. If I was his dad I would have used him as a decoy during some    I have a love hate relationship with this show. Sometimes in my head I call it, "The Strain," as in it's a strain to watch it.

    That being said, over all it's pretty good.

    But, they need to freakin' kill off Zach. They replaced the decent but annoying kid from the first season with an even more annoying one for the second. If I was his dad I would have used him as a decoy during some muncher fight and that would have been it.

    To be honest, I am sorta losing investment in his dad's character as well.    … Expand
  5. movingpictures
    May 24, 2020
    5
    Review for Season 2: The Strain very quickly turned to absolute garbage after the end of Season 1. It's mainly the writers' and the directors' fault. Most of the actors did the best they could with what they were given. And the special effects were still okay though not as good as Season 1. It's truly the story that took a turn for the worst. And it was impossible to care aboutReview for Season 2: The Strain very quickly turned to absolute garbage after the end of Season 1. It's mainly the writers' and the directors' fault. Most of the actors did the best they could with what they were given. And the special effects were still okay though not as good as Season 1. It's truly the story that took a turn for the worst. And it was impossible to care about anyone when their choices become so unbelievable. But the most grating part was the new actor for the boy, Zach, who the writers and directors chose to let play the most annoying character imaginable. I almost didn't finish this season. And I certainly won't be wasting my time on Season 3 or 4. Such a shame when Season 1 was such a promising beginning.… Expand

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Jeff Jensen
    Jul 20, 2015
    67
    The Strain knows how to to gross. It needs to get better at the engrossing part. [24 Jul 2015, p.50]
  2. PopMatters
    Reviewed by: Cynthia Fuchs
    Jul 14, 2015
    70
    The Strain reifies its connections between political and melodramatic themes with the gory action for which the series is best known--the monsters’ neck-piercing six-foot tongues, the silver bullets’ exploding effects--in kitschy evidence during the battle against that takes up the bulk of the storage facility scene.
    Read full review
  3. Cleveland Plain Dealer
    Reviewed by: Mark Dawidziak
    Jul 13, 2015
    60
    The Strain continues to rely too much on action and not enough on compelling character development. The uneven results are entertaining but hardly infectious.
    Read full review
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