REVIEWED: SEASON 2 (EPISODES 1 – 5) | WHERE TO WATCH: NOWTV
It is an inevitability that any show dealing with the United States Air Force’s formation of a department to investigate alien encounters would have to deal with the most infamous of all at some point. The ‘Roswell Incident’ of 1947, the alleged UFO crash in New Mexico that led to the release of an apparent alien autopsy is renowned whether you have an interest in the subject matter or otherwise. So, kudos to Project Blue Book for embracing the mythology head on.
After an intriguing first season where the plot revolved around government cover ups, Russian spies and scientific justification, Season 2 hits the ground running with its own theory on Roswell before plunging straight into Area 51, that other great bastion of UFO conspiracy theories. Focussing much more on Neal McDonough’s General Harding – the whisky-drinking boss set up as the show’s snarling villain – this season looks at the origins of both that character and many of the UFO myths we know. Captain Quinn (Malarkey) and Dr. Hynek (Gillen) largely fumble their investigations through rash indecision and impromptu bickering but they are a likeable double-act that provide relatable exposition without being too nerdy.
Okay, it is a bit nerdy; this is a show about UFOs after all. But with their sophomore season the writers now assume a certain amount of knowledge in the audience and that makes for refreshingly good pace after occasionally becoming somewhat bogged down throughout their freshman run.
Some storylines that could have drifted are also given a little more depth here too. Hynek’s wife Mimi (Mennell) shrugs off her blandness, venturing into her own parallel investigations. And KGB seductress Susie (Solo) switches her charms to the vulnerable Quinn (to the opposite sex anyway), and sets up shop in his apartment.
The challenge for Project Blue Book, however, is sustainability. Season 1 floundered a little under its own portent; desperate to present credible storylines but unsure of its own conviction when it came to follow them through. Plot threads came and went as characters jostled with each other to the point of dull repetition. Season 2 begins extremely promisingly but it remains to be seen whether it builds on that strength or once again struggles to maintain a coherent and consistent standard.
Time will tell. If you enjoyed Season 1, then these episodes will not disappoint, and in pulling out the big guns early, the showrunners have demonstrated a confidence in what they have. Whether this is enough to attract new viewers remains to be seen but fans should be satisfied with where the show is heading. If the showrunners could just decide whether they preferred fact or fiction they could really be on to something.
