I've been eagerly awaiting season 2 of Carmen Sandiego as I stated that the first season was an excellent series with a compelling story arc. It seems that the old beards at the Emmy's agreed as it is now an award winning show, garnering an Outstanding Achievement in Individual Animation nod.
Carmen Sandiego Season 2 is a stunning series.
So how is the second season? Does it build on an excellent first season? Yes, yes it does! The story continues from the major plot twist at the end of season 1 and Team Carmen now have Shadow San in their ranks. He assists with taking out VILE in the formats 'caper of the week'. However, it's not all standalone episodes with a 'bad guy of the week' as this season we are treated to get the back stories of how Zack and Ivy met Carmen and about Shadow San's ascent to VILE faculty member.
Finding out they have been betrayed by a member from their faculty, VILE spend a lot of the episodes searching for a new member to join their nefarious ranks. Along the journey we find out more about Carmen's family and she builds a base of operations with her surrogate family, Shadow San, Zak and Ivy after she nearly dies. It's all very heartfelt character building stuff and with this show it feels earned, not cheaply melodramatic.
The standout episodes for me are when the creepy Paper Star returns and Carmen squares off against her in Tokyo, whilst Shadow San shows just how bad ass he is, defeating goons with the use of chopsticks... trés John Wick. Also, the caper in New Zealand set to Swan Lake is very creatively and artistically beautiful as the choreography is wonderful.
The season is a delight and the finale ends on a cliffhanger as we get some insight into Carmen's real family and the true story about how Shadow San found her. This sets up the next season as Carmen knows who she is looking for now…
So, overall the stylish animation by Chromosphere is still as beautiful as ever and the voice acting by Gina Rodriguez is a lot more natural sounding as she seems to have found her groove. The voices of Zak and Ivy have grown on me too and I have become used to their broad Baaaahstaaan accents. Season 2 of Carmen Sandiego is still a beautifully animated edutainment *shudder* show that revels is dropping knowledge bombs whilst delivering a fun and at times gripping storyline. Alongside She-Ra, Netflix is really the home of quality retro animation revivals, that honours what went before but does its own more modern thing. Check this show out folks!
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LINK- Carmen Sandiego- Complete Series 1 Review
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