The second season of the Onyx Collective's "UnPrisoned" has proven to be as delightful as it is insightful. The show, rooted in the personal life of its creator, Tracy McMillan, primarily revolves around the vivacious therapist, Paige Alexander, who is navigating her fair share of profound challenges.
Season two sees the return of the first season's talented cast, who have proven their ability to switch seamlessly between comedic and dramatic scenes. Kerry Washington shines as a well-known therapist, radiating authenticity, while Delroy Lindo plays the part of Paige's previously imprisoned father, Edwin, with great depth and nuance. Faly Rakotohavana, as Paige's son Finn, admirably keeps pace with his experienced co-stars.
The quality of the performances allows the show to take bold steps in visualizing therapeutic theories in unique ways. A standout example is Paige's interactions with her inner child, portrayed by Jordyn McIntosh, which continues to be as moving as in the first season.
The show now includes family therapy sessions guided by John Stamos in the role of Paige's rival, though the structure of the episodes doesn't become formulaic in incorporating this new element. Despite the strong impact of these scenes, the show avoids becoming stuck, instead allowing its characters ample space for growth and development.
One particularly inspired sequence cleverly uses a stylized wrestling set piece to represent a metaphorical struggle with emotions, leveraging the capabilities of television to add layers of drama, surprise, and intensity to what could have been a simple discussion scene.
Despite dealing with serious themes like intergenerational trauma and systemic racism, the show maintains a comedic tone without detriment. The authenticity at the core of "UnPrisoned" keeps it from stumbling on subject matters that could potentially be fraught with difficulties.
In its second season, the show somewhat reduces its direct focus on the systemic elements of Edwin's struggles, as seen in the first season, yet it continues to implicitly address systemic racism through the family's ongoing issues.
In understanding the role of race in American society, "UnPrisoned" builds on its first season with increased confidence. Even though this season leans more towards personal issues rather than systemic ones, it continues to provide sharp social critique rooted in the narratives of three fully-realized characters. The show excels in conveying that life is an interplay of gravity and absurdity, of laughter and tears.
"UnPrisoned" is more than a show about trauma or healing. It focuses on family, growth, and the joy of the African American community. With characters that transcend their past experiences while acknowledging their influence, "UnPrisoned" provides a compelling portrayal of multifaceted lives, marking the show as truly exceptional.
