The Vince Staples Show is a highly-rated Netflix original comedy show created by Vince Staples, Ian Edelman, and Maurice Williams that has recently gotten a season two. This surreal show revolves around how Vince Staples adjusts to everyday life in his hometown. Even though the first season was great, the second season was able to improve on the groundwork season 1 laid out and is well worth the watch.
The plot of season 1 was very episodic with very little connection between them; however, there was a very important plot development in episode 3, where Vince has a meaningful conversation with Uncle James, who was a famous football player who, after a lengthy court case, lost everything, which is a must-watch for season 2.
This new season revolves around the events following his death, like the will reading and the funeral. Which makes this season more structured than the last one, which helps the plot feel more fleshed out.
Also, vibes of the season are able to perfectly capture the comedic afrosurrealism the show promises to deliver through mixing in well-timed jokes and social commentary. The show employs a dry tone for the jokes, which was a very deliberate choice from Vince Staples. He stated, “I don’t think there is that much dry humor within the Black comedic space, so I was excited to be able to bring that to the table.”
The cinematography also helps sell this feeling through excellent use of shots. Which Vince Staples had this to say about the shots: “We try to roll into our establishing shots in a ‘show, not say’ approach, but as far as the writing, we want to make sure that our motifs are written in a more, I would say, authoritative point of view, meaning that the environment has the power over the characters, rather than the characters having the power over the environment.”
All of the characters are also really well played. Vince Staples (previously played Maurice in Abbott Elementary and Speedy from White Men Can’t Jump) is able to really get into character and react realistically to what happens in the show. Then the side characters act perfectly realistic while also diving into the surrealism as well.
Even though the season is good, there are some problems, like the pacing. Some episodes, like the first one, feel like they start dragging towards the middle. However, most of the episodes feel really thought out, like the final episode, which works as a good send-off to season 2.
This season also has a lot more action scenes compared to season 1, which makes the problem of pacing. The soundtrack is also really good and the songs chosen are able to complement every scene that they appear in.
All in all, this season delivers a lot, and it makes it look very promising for the show’s future. If you’re a fan of season 1, you should definitely watch. Also, if you like the show Atlanta, the film Sorry to Bother You, or other Afrosurrealist pieces of media, then it would also be a good watch. All you have to watch from season 1 is episode 3 to understand the story.
