On the other hand, it does seem like a totally different show. As many new characters as returning characters, and the main characters only crossing paths in contrived ways. Zendaya is as good as usual, even without a whole lot to do. She's just such a natural actor, one's tempted to say she's just playing herself. Sydney Sweeney, though it's fashionable to dislike her now, is still great, as is—to my eternal surprise—Alexa Demie.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Kadeem Hardison (!) are genius additions to the cast, and Alana Ubach continues to be an MVP supporting actor. The scene of her
Spoiler
talking shit about Cassie's dad as she walks her down the aisle
Jacob Elordi and Hunter Schaefer, though, seem to have forgotten how to play their characters, or more likely Sam Levinson has forgotten how to write them. Levinson also seems to have reined in his most extreme Scorsesian tendencies, at least in these first few episodes, but he seems to have moved on to Russ Meyer as his primary influence for this season. So many boobs.
I love love love Cassie and Nate's disgustingly tacky house. But Labrinth's music is sorely missed. It's good that Fez wasn't just killed off between seasons à la "Roseanne," but Rue's one-sided phone conversation with him was a little ridiculous. Please tell me they don't CGI him into a later episode.
