Toy Boy season 2 review: This Netflix series sets the perfect base for season 3

3/5

Story:

Triana (Maria Pedraza) suffers a huge blow in Toy Boy season 1. She and the Toy Boys from Inferno sail their way through life in season 2, constantly finding ways to make a lot of money, fast. As we all know, with such a situation, danger always lurks around and Hugo (Jesus Mosquera) is already constantly under the scanner. How will the Toy Boys and Triana survive through cruel fate?

Review:

Toy Boy season 2 can be summed up in a dialogue from the show - "You don't know how to win but you'll learn how to lose." There is so much loss in the series. Of course, you gain various actors but never really get the feeling of a win.

The season begins where the last ended but there is a surprise in the store. It comes as unexpected because season 1's end promised something different.

Jairo (Carlo Costanzia) and Andrea (Juanjo Almeida) are a delight to watch as always. They finally get a life they deserved all along.

Money Heist actor Enrique Arch makes an entry into the world of Toy Boy and fits in almost instantly. His role here is similar to the what it was in the Spanish heist series or rather, it is a downgrade from that role, since he isn't as evil as in that series.

Triana (Maria Pedraza) is shown as a weak character. She barely manages to impress in comparison to the first season of Toy Boy. Her switch in personality is unappealing. The once-powerful woman refuses to accept her scars and in fact disses them which is so sad to watch.

On the other hand, Hugo (Jesus Mosquera) leaves a great impression. He is the sweetheart like always and yet, manages to show you he has a dark side to him too.

The second season is completely different from the first. It is almost what happened with Sacred Games.

The series gets too violent this time around. There are scenes you really cannot watch, especially the ones featuring The Turk (Alex Gonzalez).

Toy Boy season 2 works on metaphors too. In case a scene wants to show you how a person is looking at a clean slate, you will see them in the shower, with the focus being on the dirty water being drained out.

There are many moments in the show where you wonder, "What just happened!" The questions arise and the answers drop in as slowly as poison.

The brotherhood between the men, especially Jairo and Hugo, is evident even in this season. It is heartwarming to see their moments, just like always.

The intimate scenes in this series almost always mean something. The one with Hugo in it is actually a huge highlight of the season.

The pace of the show works well considering the theme of the series and season. The music only adds to the scenes.

There is a dialogue in the series which goes like, "Some people are like predators. You cannot show them weakness or you become their prey." This dialogue perfectly sums up the power dynamics going on in the series.

For those who loved Ivan (Jose de la Torre), there's good news. He hasn't changed and in fact, has become better.

The series brings in a racism angle and deals with it well. Despite the complicated situation, the makers managed to work around the scebe well.

Toy Boy season 2 also shows how different women in power look like. It shows you how many put on a strong facade but actually are humans who are scared inside.

Zapata (Pedro Casablanc), as always, is a mysterious personality. He blows your mind with his acts even this time around.

A new character called Dario (Maxi Iglesias) is introduced to the series. He brings a lot to the table already, even more than what Triana brought in the first season.

My favourite part about Toy Boy season 2 is how women take back control. They let go of everything for their goal which is what a modern woman looks like.

The series started with a surprise and it ends with one. There are moments you barely see coming and they change the narrative drastically, setting the base for season 3.

Verdict:

The problem with Toy Boy series is that it is long. This time too, it is nearly nine hours long which is a lot of time invested. However, the series introduces new characters but retains the essence of the original. The new characters enhance the series and help the original characters get more limelight. You get to see that in the climax scene, where the two main leads' life is hanging by a thread. The series has a perfect antagonist, who is deadly since his first scene. He is the definition of fear. While it is him on one side, there is the essence of brotherhood on the other end. That is what makes Toy Boy what it is. However, like we mentioned, you need to invest a lot of time in the series to get to the point of "Okay, I didn't see that coming." Yes you didn't because it's a long to there. If you have seen season 1 and liked it, then this season is recommended. If not, then shift your focus elsewhere.