Rich NWUK

Bland but a minor distraction.

Although the second season has picked up the pace, the first season was terrible in so many ways. The worst thing was how one-note the tone was throughout. Sombre and too fast-paced. The performances aimed to be comic at times, yet the editing prevented the humour being translated to the audience. The privilege of the majority of the characters meant the viewer was distanced; because of the subject matter - a school election - there was little escapism. Jessica Lange outshone everyone and can walk away with pride. Fortunately, the second season is far more varied and the humour is landing, especially with actors like Bette Midler and Judith Light. This is not to deny the younger cast of their limelight. They are impressive. Particular credit must be given to Ben Platt and Laura Dreyfuss. For sure, the second season will grower warmer, but it would have been dead in the water if it hadn't been given a new spark of vitality.