Interpretations for S4
The first episode of the second season introduced a lot of things that can be expanded on as the season continues. It’s too much to even cover here. What I’m most excited about is Jaime’s story of being involved in Dushane’s (Ashley Walters) business. I think that they will bring the coolest moments to the show. Also, this introduction of the Spanish connection will bring some wild moments. Which they’ve already done in the first episode. They seem to be savages that you can’t entirely predict which makes them formidable. Hopefully, the second episode will introduce more goals for the characters. Right now I know a lot of what happening but not much of what the characters want to happen. This is important because that’s a way for the audience to connect with a character. We have to see them in pursuit of something. Dushane and Lizzie (Lisa Dwan) are really the only ones that have a clear goal. Those who don’t have goals are reduced to becoming one-dimensional side characters. I know that Jamie’s (Micheal Ward) plan and goal will eventually be revealed to us. It’s too early to make assumptions about if the season will do well. They’ve introduced a lot now and it’s time to see Ronan execute. I’ve seen him do this once before.
The second episode seems to be more “set up” for the show. No clear antagonist has been set up. The drama of the Moroccans could cause trouble for Dushane and his business down the line. I think that the fact that Dushane no longer needs Lizzie will cause her to run to Jamie for help. She might be able to spark that ambitious side of him that we saw in the first season and he could start planning a way to become Top Boy again.
Exactly what I expected to happen happened in the third episode. Lizzie made a play to Jamie to get him to claim what was his and rebel against Dushane.
There’s something about the Top Boy characters that I can’t put my finger on. The writers give them good character moments that make them feel multi-dimensional but there’s something missing. I don’t know what it could be. Maybe it’s because their goal isn’t clearly stated. One thing I noticed was that in all of the moments where the writers expand on the character they involve family. This seems to be one of the “themes” of the show. In terms of plot, it seems like the show is starting to heat up now and bring in the mayhem. I’m ready for it.
My initial response after finishing the season is “Why.” I can’t understand why they killed Jamie to end the show. Maybe it’s become too personal for me to try to make an objective reaction to the show. They have to give a reason as to why they did that, or else it makes no sense. Since I can’t find the reason for it now I assume it may happen in the third season. That’s the only reason that I can see myself watching another season of this show. The show does this weird thing when it comes to settling their conflict. The protagonist, Dushane, has had no problems with any of his antagonists. They were all easily dealt with and most times not even by him. Every time I see a new antagonist I feel that they are a formidable opponent to Dushane, but I’m wrong. I’ve seen no real threat toward him. The police really haven’t been a problem for him the whole series and all road-men that he comes across are dealt with quickly. That would be my biggest problem with the show. The building of the plot is done well. At the beginning of the season, all the seeds were planted and grew in unexpected ways. Which kept me engaged in the whole process. But it felt almost as if right before it grew to its full potential it withers away and dies. Leaving me disappointed.
The characters were well-developed. All main characters felt multi-dimensional. Which seemed easy to do by connecting their snuggles with family. It seemed to ground them and show the character’s true nature. I guess the aspect of Jamie’s death that I’m most mad about is the fact that there were so much more places for the character to go. He could’ve had a beef with Jaq (Jasmine Jobson) on who’s taking the crown of Top Boy. He could’ve made a final play to take over Dushane’s empire and then perhaps died. That would’ve given his death reason. Cause his death was for no reason, and maybe that’s what the writers are trying to say “ Somethings happen for no reason.” I hope season five provides a reason.
