I have read a good amount of the reviews by some others and can understand why they are dissatisfied with the show. The music, for one is not appropriate for the location and the people. The Santa Muerte character seems to be a little dry and should show more compassion and care for the dying or maybe it's because there aren't many believers in the younger generation. She takes care of those that believe and worship her.
I immediately was turned off by Natalie Dormer as Rio, since she stated that she was Spanish and not of Mexican descent. She would never be head of the pachucos. Someone else should have played that character
Now I know some didn't like the racial overtones of this show, however, if you want to correctly depict how it was during that period, it is necessary. Some people feel uncomfortable because of the way certain people are depicted, get over it. That's how it was in those days and people were horrible back then. No need to sugar coat it or make it politically correct. Some people can't handle the truth.
Tiago's character is a bit dry and lifeless to me and showed very little feeling after shooting his brother. There should have been more internal conflict with his feelings after the shooting. I also believe that his character should have been played by a person of Mexican descent.
For those that keep commenting about this season not being related to the original Penney Dreadful series, need to calm down. Eva Green's "Vanessa" character was not Penny Dreadful. I think some people believe that her character is Penny Dreadful. Actually, "Penny Dreadful" refers to a series of British and Irish 19th century fictional publications that contained supernatural or out of the ordinary content. Characters such as Dracula, Dorian Gray, Van Helsing, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and Frankenstein were appropriate characters in the original Penny Dreadful series.
I believe that this series is associated with Penny Dreadful because of the Deity Santa Muerte and demoness Magda. With a changes with actors and more actual Mexican cultural references and better acting, this could really be a good series. It is ok, but some of the acting and cultural differences have made it less than desirable.
If not for Nathan Lane as Officer Michener, Jessica Garza as Josefina, and Piper Perabo as Peter's wife, I would not care to watch.