HBO's Enlightened is a show that came out of nowhere in 2011 and sustained criminally low ratings for it's 10 episode first season. Despite being lauded by critics , the show could never hold a decent audience share, and it was a small miracle that it even got commissioned for an eight-episode sophomore season. But I, and the small number of devoted fans were so glad it did. Regardless, the show had a superbly strong first season. In which, Laura Dern's Amy Jellicoe, who after the implosion of her career goes into rehabilitation and comes out on the other side with a whole new philosophical view of life, and a much more positive attitude to everything. It's an excellent character study, written brilliantly by co-creator and lead writer Mike White, and brought to life by Laura Dern in a performance that deserved much, much more recognition. It is in season 2 when the show expands it's horizons and becomes something more emotional and heaps more exciting. With Mike White's character Tyler coming into the picture, the show finds a character that is even more likeable that Amy, and a love story that is absolutely beautiful to watch. Jellicoe's ex-husband Levi (played by the surprisingly excellent Luke Wilson) gets more depth in season 2 as well and gets a whole episode to himself which is an emotional and fascinating journey about a drug addict trying to get his act together. In the midst of all the emotional stuff, the show also manages to create a plot so juicy and exciting, it's a wonder they managed to squeeze it all into 8 episodes. Amy, after uncovering evidence of corruption and abuse in the company she works for enlists the help of some of her co-workers in attempt to bring the situation to light and take them down. It's overall a much stronger season than the first and manages to deliver a satisfying ending to the season that simultaneously seems to see a lot of things come full circle, but also leaves you wanting more. Exactly what any season finale should do. As it turned out (and Mike White and co. probably knew it), it was the show's last season, and I'm glad it went out with a deserving bang.
Joe is a television junkie. A film fanatic. A pop culture know-it-all. An interactive media masters student, and a bass player.
22 years old and Irish. Thinks Netflix is a Godsend.
