After a hiatus of two years, ‘Sinful Sisters’ makes its comeback in a second season, picking up the threads from where the first season left off. The aftermath of the surreptitious murder of an abusive husband is the still reverberating shockwave in the Garvey sisters’ lives. This loathsome man, J.P., who had been everything but a loving spouse, met a grim end, a fate that could be considered justified. Yet, as those who delight in the macabre well know, it’s never the act itself, but the concealment that follows, that visits the lasting torment.
Season 2 introduces us to Eva, freshly empowered by her recent venture into menopausal health management and brimming with a new lease on life. Ursula, a healthcare professional, is adapting to a life of singularity post-divorce while sharing parental duties. Then there’s Bibi with the fetching eye-patch, along with her partner, venturing into the brave new world of fertility treatments. Becka finds herself entwined with a new beau of a boisterous sort while Grace, previously wedded to a bringer of great sorrow, now deceased, is set to tie the knot with the charming Ian whom her daughter, Blanaid, approves of.
Season 1’s principal antagonist, the deplorable J.P., has met his end, paving the way for a new adversary. In place of a foul abuser though, we encounter meddlesome Angelica, often referred to as ‘the Wagon’. This term in local parlance, rather misleadingly, is associated with a likable, respected, and sociable woman.
Nevertheless, the evil that the Garvey sisters grapple with isn’t embodied in a person, but a concept – misogyny. Angelica, a devout church-goer, wields guilt as her tool in keeping her brother Roger in line. Roger, an erstwhile ally of Grace, is continually tormented by his involvement in the offense. Angelica is quick to point out, ‘I’m a woman of the church. I understand guilt, and I recognize it when I see it.’ She couldn’t have found a more fitting pursuit – guilt, a subliminal controller in wider society and personal scenarios, is a frequent guest for the Garvey sisters.
The pervasive presence of guilt in their lives leads to an outlay of emotional labor and personal compromise. However, much that made the previous season a delight prevails. The show retains its keen and chic appeal. The captivating dynamic among the sisters, especially in their distinctive yet slightly coordinated clothing choices, remains the show’s underlying charm.
However, ‘Sinful Sisters’ cannot quite dodge the sense of being a rerun that comes from dwelling on past events – the critical events have unfolded, the most devastating detonations, and the exposing of deeply embedded secrets have taken place. Consequently, despite a shocking plot twist that turns the course of the season, the current episodes do not offer a more profound or distinctive narrative compared to the first season.
The revised opening credits sequence for the season boasts the same theme tune but presents a distinct, grotesque set of cause-and-effect chain animations, mirroring the overall vibe of the season – a puzzle, decryption for which is already accessible to seasoned viewers.