You don’t think people actually get away with murder, do you?
The Garveys scrappy center of Apple TV+’s Bad Sisters, are judged everywhere they go in both of this drama’s tightly-wound seasons. You mention their surname to anyone in their town, and you will be met with a curious, knowning expression. Their reputations clearly precede them. In the sophomore outing, Sharon Horgan’s Eva must grapple with immeasurable grief and paranoia as their brood has one of its members tragically taken from them. Horgan, who has been nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for both seasons and was nominated for writing in its freshman outing, turns in career-best work as this season unfolds like an unpredictable puzzle.
The opening episode of Bad Sisters‘ second season is a lovely affair. Set two years after the events of season one, their beloved Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) is set to be remarried, and the dark cloud of The Prick seems like a distant memory. When all five Garveys get a playful day at the horse races, it’s wonderful see such joy, and even more upsetting to remember that happiness as the season progresses.
In episode two, Grace unexpectedly dies in a horrifying car collision, and it rocks the Garveys’ world. When they were trying to dispose of The Prick in season one, they were a united front, but this tragedy crumbles inward on their bond. Grace’s daughter, Blánaid, becomes distant and cruel towards Eva’s guardianship as Eva finds herself drawn to Grace’s husband, Ian. How much can we allow grief and loss dictate our feelings? As Eva confronts turning fifty, she tells people, including a “menopause coach,” that she is happier being on her own.
Horgan admits that that fine line between sadness and humor is something she loves to mine from. I even tell her that there is a brief exchange during Grace’s funeral that pinpoints exactly how Bad Sisters‘ humor is vital to this drama’s heartbeat. There is so much truth in how Horgan (as both a writer and performer) nimbly dances on that confusing line. Fiona Shaw’s meddling Anjelica is the perfect new addition, and Horgan wanted to lean into how lonely and sad the character was as Shaw added layers on top of it. It’s contrasted by Thaddea Graham’s eager, determined Officer Una Houlihan.
I will miss the Garvey Sister so much, but they feel so alive across the pond. Perhaps more mischief will reveal itself sometime down the line. If it does, I’m sure that Horgan will be ready with a knowing smirk and a loaded pen.
Bad Sisters is streaming now on Apple TV+.
