Barry Season 2 Review

Write your story. The past does not define you. Be who you want to be.

Barry learns that he cannot escape his past life as a criminal. In the midst of enjoying his new life as an actor, his relationship with Sally, and garnering a social life, familiar faces reenter his life. Struggling to find a balance once more, Barry has to come to terms with his haunting past.

I have never binge-watched a series so quickly like Barry. It is a well-acted series that takes risks. You never know what is going to happen in each episode based on the flawless direction and a well-written story. Season 2 focuses on relationships, change, and one’s story.

Bill Hader steals the show delivering emotion, anger, and a strong character arc. Barry is a flawed person. He is easily manipulated which makes one wonder about his upbringing which is never talked about. I love Hader’s hilarious reactions, providing comedy in moments of this dark show. I love how Barry is slowly starting to grow as an actor and impresses me with a scene that even makes viewers on-edge. I had no idea that Hader could pull off menacing and terrifying so well!

By the end of the season, I started to detest Sally (Goldberg). I liked how season 2 put other characters in the limelight to see their true colors. Sally is fighting to gain a more positive career as an actress, playing roles of women who are strong. Learning that she has been in an abusive relationship in her past, Sally works to understand it but lies to protect herself from shame.

Once again, Henry Winkler does a fantastic job. Aside from his humorous personality, he grapples emotion very well. Suffering from a broken heart, he manages to keep moving forward, supporting his students, and even attempting to fix a strained relationship with his son. The bond that grows between Barry and Cousineau is heartwarming, helping Barry find the light.

Barry and Sally’s relationship is sweet, but it is not healthy and supportive. Not all relationships are. Especially, Barry and Fuches. Props go to Stephen Root for managing to hit the mark as a despicable human being.

Barry tests everyone’s acting capabilities including Anthony Carrigan who plays the quirky mobster, NoHo Hank. I loved Carrigan’s humorous reactions. He easily chews the scenery with funny gags.

One of the best episodes in season 2, which also turned out to be very bizarre was ‘Ronny/Lily’. Directed by Bill Hader himself, the camera angles were spectacular. Fighting in movies has always been a popular scenario. This episode put together a fantastic fight scene throughout the course of the scene. Fights are not easy, real-life and in film.

Creators Bill Hader and Alec Berg hit the mark with a compelling and grueling season 2. One component that I wished could have been a part of season 2 was Barry’s little daydreams that he had in the first season. At times, Barry is unsettling, even stressful, but it connects you with realism. What is your story? Change is possible.

For those thinking about becoming actors, Barry is a deep examination into the world of show business, contacting talent agents, rehearsing for shows, and being you. You have to fight for yourself to get what you want and earn the roles that you want.

I suggest that you binge-watch the first two seasons of Barry if you are looking for a new series to watch. Season 2 goes out with a bang. Literally. I am looking forward to watching season 3 of Barry to see how everything unfolds.