Season two of the hit series The Rig dives back onto screens, inviting viewers to explore the stormy waters surrounding corporate greed and ancient forces. After the devastation wrought by the tsunami incident, the crew of Kinloch Bravo is relocated from their destroyed rig to a new offshore facility, The Stac. Here, they encounter Pictor Energy's sinister plans, which center around exploiting rare metals through deep-sea mining.
This season starts with promise but takes what many critics argue is a bewildering turn. The opening episodes set high expectations, featuring stunning visuals and an icy, spine-chilling ambiance. Yet as the story progresses, it becomes bogged down with overly technical details and convoluted plotlines, characterized as overly melodramatic by viewers. By the final episode, the once intriguing premise feels like it has drifted off-course, with critics and fans alike questioning how the show diverged from its thrilling strategy.
One of the most contentious elements of Season 2 is the focus on The Ancestor, referred to as an aquatic revenge entity hidden beneath the seabed. Responsible for unleashing the tsunami, The Ancestor and its vague connection to sound frequencies detracts from the central themes of human relationships, greed, and the fight to save our planet. Rose (Emily Hampshire) takes the lead this season, steering the plot as she investigates the Rover accident—a probe sent to gather intel about The Ancestor under the watchful eye of Morgan Lennox (Alice Krige), CEO of Pictor.
According to critics at High on Films, the stakes soar as corporate motivations are laid bare: substantial payouts are offered to silence crews about Pictor’s questionable dealings. Unbeknownst to Rose, Lennox has darker ambitions as the company shifts its focus toward mining rare earth metals, deemed the future of renewable resources. The drama deepens with the introduction of new characters, Cameron (Ross Anderson) and Askler, who add to the developing intrigues. Meanwhile, Pictor’s trusted aide, Coake (Mark Addy), shares the screen, scheming alongside other characters to increase tension.
While The Rig showcases grander scale and ambitious budget with each episode, critics suggest it loses sight of its narrative integrity. The series engages with important issues surrounding the climate crisis but often at the expense of character development and storytelling cohesiveness. By rushing to present big visual spectacles, the plot convolutes itself, creating confusion rather than clarity.
Coake’s schemes and the involvement of Darian York, the new CEO stepping in for Lennox, add elements of betrayal and intrigue. Yet as the episodes progress, the series’ surreal elements, which were meant to heighten drama, leave viewers questioning the story's believability. By the latter half of the season, critics point out the absurdity of events detracting from the overarching messages about conservation and corporate exploitation.
The shift of focus to Rose pushes Magnus (Iain Glen) and Fulmer (Martin Compston) to the background, making the character dynamics feel imbalanced. While new faces add depth, the existing characters seem relegated to mere supporting roles, showcasing missed opportunities for meaningful interactions. The conclusion feels rushed, leading many to believe the plot could have been effectively wrapped up with fewer episodes.
Despite mixed feedback, the season captures viewers with its visually captivating settings, echoing the perilous atmosphere of the North Sea backdrop. The series highlights the troubling reality of corporate interests prioritizing profit over planet and explores humanity's complex relationship with nature. Critics commend the show for creating space to reflect on these dire themes yet lament the missed opportunities for more nuanced storytelling.
The anticipation had been palpable surrounding The Rig's return, with dedicated fans eager to see the evolution of characters and the continuation of the story. But as critiques mount about its perceived decline from the engaging first season, viewers are left evaluating whether the narrative choices make sense within the framework they've established. Despite the setbacks, the show remains significant and timely, reminding us of our responsibilities toward the earth amid the lurking shadows of exploitation.
Season two of The Rig might be larger and visually grander, but as several reviewers have noted, bigger doesn’t always equate to a stronger, more coherent plot. On what could have been the crux of resolving climate disaster dilemmas within the narrative, the series instead grapples with overwhelming technical jargon and convoluted side plots. The past season leaves us questioning what went astray—a sentiment likely to resonate with many of its viewers.