Colin Farrell continues to be the highlight of this noir detective series with sci fi elements in its second season, and while the story seems to be taking some time to develop, it still delivers an enjoyable watch.
WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS for the first season.
What Is It?
This neo-noir detective drama follows Los Angeles private investigator John Sugar, who secretly belongs to an advanced alien species living quietly among humanity and dedicated to observing rather than interfering. As Sugar investigates the disappearance of a Hollywood producer’s granddaughter, he uncovers a dangerous conspiracy while also finding himself caught in a growing crisis as members of his own species are hunted by a mysterious and ruthless enemy.
As Season 2 begins, Sugar takes on a case searching for a rising boxer’s missing brother while continuing his own hunt for his missing sister. The investigation draws him into a sprawling conspiracy that forces him to confront just how far he is willing to go to do what’s right.
Airing: Apple TV, New Episodes Release on Fridays
Starring: Colin Farrell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Sasha Calle, Jason Butler Harner
Created By: Mark Protosevich
Johnny Jay’s Thoughts:
When this detective series premiered back in the Spring of 2024, I got wind that it had some sci fi elements, and since it is an Apple TV original—which has been putting out some good genre entries—I decided to give it a look. It delivered an engaging detective drama heavy with noir elements and throwbacks to older Hollywood films, and I found myself hooked even before we got the twist that John Sugar was one of several aliens living on Earth and observing humans. I’m throwing that spoiler in pretty quickly because I figure if you are reading a review of the second season, you already know that. If not, you were warned above.
The first season of this series delivered a truly excellent sci fi entry, blending noir and detective drama elements with science fiction while setting up a very interesting world with this alien race living among humans. The end of that first year changed things, though, with apparently all of the aliens except Sugar leaving the planet. They had been found out and they were being hunted, so it made sense for them to back away, but it also changed the nature of the show going into the second season. I really wanted to learn more about these extraterrestrials and their history here on Earth, and if they had remained on the planet, it would have maintained a greater level of tension with the potential threat they faced.
Now, with Sugar as the only alien left that we know of, the series shifts back to more of its procedural nature. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, though, because they generally do that well, and the noir elements kick it into more than just a standard detective show. And there are still the side plots of Sugar looking for his missing sister and trying to figure out who is hunting his kind, though through the first four episodes of the second season, those get pushed mostly aside. It doesn’t help that the story involving the case Sugar is investigating seems somewhat muddled, but I am giving the creative team some leeway, hoping they will pull everything together.
Key to this show is the standout performance by Colin Farrell. He looks very much like he stepped right out of a film noir drama from the ’40s while also delivering a very sympathetic performance as someone who cares about what he is doing and the people he comes in contact with (quite a contrast from his recent role as The Penguin). Sasha Calle comes on board this season as Val, the ne’er-do-well sidekick who seems to deliver a pastiche of elements from similar characters we have seen in prior films and shows. But she does run with the role pretty well, and I certainly hope they keep her around. Laura Donnelly also stands out in the second season as the mysterious Charlotte, who we do not know much about but who may turn into the expected femme fatale role for the season.
One thing that I do like about the show’s take on the aliens is that they do not have a lot of superpowers that make them much more capable than humans. They do have some abilities such as heightened observation and perception, enhanced strength and reflexes, and the ability to heal more quickly, but nothing that makes them superheroes on Earth. It does make you wonder why Sugar is willing to put himself (and his fancy car) in very dangerous situations, but it heightens the tension because you know that he will not be able to just flip on his alien powers to get himself out of harm’s way.
I do admit that the second season of the show has been tedious at times, and I would like them to focus a bit more on the sci fi elements and maybe bring in a few more alien characters. But I do like the fact that they have avoided the episode bloat so common among streaming shows these days, with eps that are sometimes barely more than thirty minutes. That moves things along more briskly, and as I mentioned above, I am willing to stick with this one through the end of the season, hoping they bring everything together and set up a continuation. And I do like the procedural nature of the show, especially with the addition of the Val character, and they can really run with that while continuing to bring in the sci fi elements. This one may not be for everyone, and it does take a bit to develop its story, but I am still riding along with Sugar in his 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray and enjoying the ride for the most part.
What’s Next?
There has been no word on a third season of this show yet, and I have seen no viewing numbers from the second year. The good news is that Apple TV tends to be supportive of its originals, and this one is likely not too expensive to produce in comparison to the average streaming entry. I like its chances at this point of coming back for at least one more season to wrap up its storylines, but it would be nice if they continued it beyond that because there is a lot they can do with the Sugar character.
Are you watching Sugar and are you enjoying the second season, or do you think the show has gone off the rails this year? Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.
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