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F Is for Family Season 2 Review



  Season 2 of F Is for Family continues on the same path the first season paved and goes on an even darker road.  However, with this darkness comes even more outrageous humor that makes this season a must see.
  Once again, F Is for Family has major storylines for every character.  Frank’s (Bill Burr) story arc involves him working a job restocking vending machines after losing his job at the airport.  Frank still tries to use his old connections with the airport to see if he can get rehired but like many Americans that lost their jobs due to corporate downsizing starting in the 1970s, Frank quickly learns that loyalty mean nothing and that everyone is disposable.  His job loss causes him to question his manhood as Frank believes a man must provide for his family.  However, it’s not all just about pride for Frank, he knows that if he doesn’t get his old job back his family will see a huge dip in their already meager standard of living.  I have never seen a TV show (let alone a cartoon) that captures the anxiety that people face when they lose their jobs like F Is for Family. Sue’s (Laura Dern) story arc involves her starting to surpass her husband as the family’s main breadwinner when she starts working for Plast-A-Ware.  However, Sue realizes her dream of working outside the home isn’t what it was cracked up to be.  Sue endures the workplace sexism and sexual harassment that was so common in the 1970s (the show once again points out that maybe this wasn’t exactly the good old days). Not only does Sue have to endure the sexism of the workplace but she is used and abused in other ways by corporate America.  By the end of the season, Sue has been chewed up and spit out by the system just like Frank. Frank and Sue also begin to clash even more as Frank grows more jealous of her.  Any other show would have Frank come off like a total jerk but F Is for Family shows that there is nuance to this situation.  Frank’s dreams of becoming a pilot are over yet his wife is being given a second chance to live her dreams out.
  The storylines for the Murphy kids become even darker (particularly for the boys) as what little innocence they have is quickly squashed.  Kevin’s (Justin Long) progressive rock band tries to get on the radio but continue to run into problems impeding them from doing so and without giving to much away, Kevin winds up losing his virginity but the way he loses hit is ultimately traumatic for him due to the context of the situation.  Bill (Hailey Reinhart) behavior problems that began in season one continue to get worse as the violence that his bullies perpetuate upon him and Frank’s emotional abuse begin to rear their ugly head. Bill becomes prone to violent outbursts towards others which shows that while Frank’s verbal abuse towards his children are played for comedic effect on F Is for Family the consequences are not.  Maureen’s (Debi Derryberry) character is further developed when it’s discovered she’s academically gifted.
  The only other character outside the Murphy family that is given a substantial story arc is Vic (Sam Rockwell).  The writers have wisely expanded his role and once again Sam Rockwell steals every scene he’s in.  Because he works at the local radio station, he and Kevin’s paths intertwine with a completely unintended consequence.  Vic’s hedonistic lifestyle is quickly threatened though when he is forced to go through a situation that is similar to Frank’s.
  Season two of F Is for Family takes the vulgarity combined with tender moments to a whole new level.  The show is not dragged down as much when Frank and Vic aren’t in any scenes.  F Is for Family is easily one of the most underrated shows on Netflix.  Season two is even better because the exposition of season one is over with and now the show’s writers have been able to tell some excellent stories.  This show will have you laughing at certain moments that you probably shouldn’t find any humor in but then yet again that’s what comedy is all about.
  Overall rating: ****1/2         
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