Series Thoughts: Dead End: Paranormal Park (Season 2)

 

• Released: June 16, 2022
  
• Created by: Hamish Steele
• Amount of seasons: 2
• Seasons watched: 2
• Rating: 3.5/5

Synopsis

The ongoing adventures of Barney, Norma, the magical talking dog Pugsley and their demon friend Courtney as they try to keep a haunted amusement park safe from demons, ghosts and ghouls.

My Thoughts 

I gave season one a pretty positive review, and the trend very much continues with season two. Honestly, if anything I liked season two even more than the first. Season one of this show was already great (and it had a killer musical episode) but honestly season two just felt better executed to me. It also didn't try to balance three different main villains in the finale episode, something the first season struggled with.

The main group now is dead-set on keeping the haunted amusement park safe from demons, however the entrance of an angel known as Fingers complicates things further as it seems he is using Pugsley's new developing powers for his own gain. The characters also further develop their own relationships with one another. 

Just an overall really good second season. I particularly loves the episodes/moments where the characters just connect or have interactions with their friends/family. The relationships are very well-written in this show. They're never really perfect but that makes them feel all the more real. We also get a major development in Norma this season: turns out she's bi and has a crush on Badyah, who unfortunately doesn't share the same feelings for her. And we also get to see some moments of Norma just...genuinely bonding with one of the main villains from the last season, which was pretty cool. Honestly I don't even read that scene as romantic, just a developing friendship where Norma is one of the first people actually willing to listen to Zagan. There's also a great episode developing Norma's relationship to her mother. Just great stuff. But it's not all about Norma, the other characters each get their times to shine as well.

I also loved the conflict with the angels. The reveal that in the grand scheme of things it might be the angels who are evil and now the demons is super intense and came about in such a cool way with a very good buildup to the revelation. Also: turns out Courtney isn't a demon but rather a fallen angel whose halo broke. Yeah, big bombs are dropped this season.

Like I've said before in my season one review, this series really is one of the best I've seen so far when it comes to representation of minorities. And I'm not just talking LGBT+, but also various races, religions, body times, neurodivergencies and the like. I honestly like how this show does absolutely no beating around the bush whatsoever regarding the representation. Almost nothing is just left up to interpretation or implied, it's pretty much literally stated in a lot of cases which I appreciate. Maybe this isn't everyone's cup of tea for representation, but I like the fact that this show isn't afraid to be bold with it. 

 

But, like I also said in my season one review, good representation unfortunately doesn't mean the media it is attached to is great as well as there are many other factors to consider. Luckily, this is very much the case for Dead End. Aside from the huge amount of representation this season was full of action, character development and interactions and awesome reveals and twists. And that finale man...PAIN. 

 

Overall I love this show and can't wait for the next season!