Raised by Wolves returns for its second season tonight on HBO Max and it’s been greatly anticipated by sci-fi and Ridley Scott fans alike. It’s a show that had a strong first season with a good blend of violence, thought-provoking science fiction, and a premise that pit religion vs. science. Opening with “The Collective,” the start of the new season is largely about setting up a brand new world worth exploring. The first season ended in a way that left viewers with a lot of questions, and while most are answered, it’s clear as day season two is hellbent on resetting things for its follow-up.
The episode opens in a disorientating way by design, dropping us down on the tropical side of the planet where Mother (Amanda Collin) is shut down, but in one piece. A colony of people searching the flora soon find her and the show efficiently reveals a prisoner class strapped with bombs eyeing to escape from a soldier class of atheists. Before the opening credits kick on we’re given information about the Atheists colony and its supercomputer running things, and also how Marcus (Travis Fimmel) is still alive. A lot has changed and yet the show is rushing a bit to get viewers comfortable with the changing dynamics.
The biggest change of Raised by Wolves is the fact that Mother and Father (Abubakar Salim) are now on top of the food chain with an entire colony and supercomputer to back them up. No longer are they on their own in the wilderness with looming religious nuts wishing their death. It’s a position that’s far too comfortable while Marcus starts from nothing.
Speaking of Marcus, the show somewhat comically has him shoot down a ship with an arrow and fly it to the tropical side within a minute or two. Talk about an easy journey to the other side of the planet! It’s also way too convenient how he finds a religious element to hang his hat on and the show is clearly more interested in getting the pieces in place at this point. The religious side of things is typically “convenient” or fated in this show though, so that element can slide.
Not everything is going well in the atheist community as we soon learn prisoners are blowing up if they flee and not the smartest made it off Earth. In a quiet scene, Mother reflects on how the leaders aren’t the brightest to which Mary (Niamh Algar) says the smartest atheists weren’t the ones who had the skills to survive. It’s a harsh reminder that survival has nothing to do with your beliefs in Raised by Wolves.
Photograph by Coco Van Oppens / HBO Max
That said, the atheist community is certainly highly advanced. They have hover ships, tanks, food, and good roofs over their heads. They even have special kiosks to give each person a task for the day. Advanced technology doesn’t mean smooth, or even normal, society, though. If the first season showed us how terrible and wrong the religious were it’s clear atheists have some serious issues that are highly problematic, too.
The maternal element is still alive and strong with Mother. She reflects early on about losing one of her seven children. That bothers her throughout the episode and must react to other characters bringing it up. She’s also given the chance to teach a class of young children which is slightly disturbing considering her capability to kill. Collin continues to infuse Mother with deeply hidden emotion and anguish. She continues to be one of the strongest elements of Raised by Wolves as she knows what she wants, but not exactly how to function in a society that made her into a weapon and then humanity’s salvation.
Aside from the atheist culture, new elements abound including new characters and artifacts that pop up. This planet has always been mysterious and that theme continues to be a strong element. There may be only three factions — atheists, robots, and the religious — but the mysteries of the planet come in a strong fourth for our focus. Similar to Marcus’ easy travels to where our main characters are, the artifacts found are literally bumped into by characters making them far too conveniently found, though.
The acting throughout the episode is good and is at a high level no matter if it’s the main characters or new child actors. The environment is practically a character in itself which is another standout element of the first episode. You’ll believe this alien world is real and while there are familiar elements — a lot of the trees look a bit like the baobab trees from Africa — there are some incredible alien plants that are detailed enough to be interacted with. Giant seas of acid are also an interesting feature that helps make this season feel different from the cold arid first season.
Raised by Wolves Season 2 opens with a compelling first episode that is largely table setting as it adjusts audience expectations. With good acting, effects, and amazing sets it’s fairly easy to forgive how this show stumbles, but rest assured for science fiction there’s nothing else like it.
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