Aquarius returned for a second season with what NBC called a two-hour movie event. The first two episodes aired with no commercials. “I’m So Tired” and “Happiness is a Warm Gun” were both written by series creator John McNamara and were both directed by Jonas Pate, who is also a producer on the show. McNamara is also an executive producer along with Sera Gamble, who is an exec producer on Aquarius, on The Magicians. Oh the joy of the short television season which allows creators, writers, and producers to work on multiple projects in the same year!
Once again, this season will have 13 episodes and follows both real people – like Charles Manson (Gethin Anthony) and Dennis Wilson (Andy Fabreau) – and fictional characters like Detective Sam Hodiak (David Duchovny). The main arc of the series follows the historical story of Manson, but this is paired with the fictional story of Hodiak and the other detectives. McNamara has plotted out five seasons – though it certainly seems like this season will see the story get to the infamous Tate and LaBianca murders of 1969. The first two episodes features gruesome flash forwards to them at any rate.
Much of what made this series really jump out at me in the first season is still fully in play this season. I love the period, and the show uses it to good effect. It’s a terrific platform to examine social issues of the time – not just the sensationalized murders at the center of the plot. This season seems ripe to really examine women’s issues. Grace (Michaela McManus) has moved in with Hodiak but is already becoming disillusioned. She’s still waiting for a man to arrive home, spending most of her time purposeless and alone.
Pairing the 45ish Hodiak with Narcotics Officer Brian Shafe (Grey Damon) is a great way to get a different perspective on the time. In addition, Shafe has an interracial marriage. This season sees Kristin (Milauna Jemai Jackson) also push against her boundaries. I was sad to see the seemingly strong relationship between Brian and Kristin starting to unravel. She is turning toward the Black Panthers as a way of expressing herself. She’s also pressuring him to leave the police force. Brian suspects that it’s because she’s embarrassed of his job in front of her new friends.
These first two episodes also show Officer Charmain Tully (Claire Holt) really start to come into her own as she goes undercover. In fact, she manages to step on Shafe’s toes and even supplant him in getting close to Roy (David Meunier). Shafe is more likely to accept her than members of the old guard like Ed (Chance Kelly). Especially after Charmain saves Shafe’s life. Meanwhile, Officer Meg Frazetta (Alison Rood) joins the cast and takes Charmain’s place as the general gopher in the precinct. However, she’s clearly extremely competent, and once again, it’s Hodiak who clearly values her contribution.
In addition to the political thread of the Black Panthers, Ken (Brian F O’Byrne) is going to be involved with Nixon’s campaign. We see in the first episode that the scuffle in the car results in Hal (Spencer Garrett) being shot. Once again, Ken hovers between the absurd and the pathetic as Hal manages to crawl away, roll down an embankment, and end up in front of a passing car that saves him. It looks like Ken is going to take his own life until Hal isn’t supposed to make it, so naturally, Hal does survive! Grace’s father (John Getz) lays down the law for both Ken and Grace. They won’t live apart and they won’t get divorced. They will help to get his friend – Nixon – elected President.
Hodiak is still facing more problems at home than just Grace being dissatisfied. Walt (Chris Sheffield) is still facing charges for deserting – and the paper killed the story. Hodiak isn’t afraid to bend or break the rules and he tells Walt that he’s prepared to blackmail the army into letting Walt go – but it’s dangerous. Hodiak continues to champion Shafe, and after Shafe breaks Manny (Carlos Pratts) and gets him to confess, Hodiak gets Ed to promote Shafe to Detective. Hodiak does manage to get IAB detective Ron Kelly (Tim Griffin) off of his case.
The on-going case involves Hodiak receiving mysterious letters that contain pictures of dead women. The other case is Shafe’s drug case. Lucille (Clare Carey) has closed the bar and gone into hiding, but Roy is hot on her heels.
At the Manson ranch, Charlie has to deal with the man who protected him in prison – Ralph Church (Omar J Dorsey) showing up and wanting to essentially take over. He’s determined to run all the girls as prostitutes. It’s interesting to see Charlie completely under someone else’s control. He’s clearly afraid of Ralph – until he finally arrives at the plan to poison Ralph and his crew with mushrooms.
While collecting food out of dumpsters for the ranch, Charlie, Emma (Emma Dumont), and Sadie (Ambyr Childers) meet Patty (Madisen Beaty) when she comes out to chase them off on her boss’s orders. She falls quickly under Charlie’s spell and comes to live with them at the ranch. It’s Patty and Emma who end up at Dennis Wilson’s because Patty’s been there before. Charlie is happy to essentially move it too, especially when Wilson shows interest in his music. Patty also brings Tex Watson (Cameron Deane Stewart) into the fold – and he will have a big role to play in the murders.
The series is beautifully shot. Duchovny is terrific. He is a flawed hero rather than an anti-hero. Though his holding “Thor’s” head to the fire – literally – was somewhat crossing a line! Anthony is also great as Manson. While it’s easy to start to feel some sympathy for Manson, the insanity is always close to the surface – and his sociopathic tendencies with it. Beaty is an interesting addition to the cast and she and Dumont are also solid. Holt and Damon are also solid. Both turn in some excellent scenes. O’Byrne is fantastic again this season. I’m betting he’s going to unravel as the pressure ramps up in the campaign.
What did you think of the episode? Did you watch the first season? Were you as surprised as I was to get to the murders so quickly? I have to wonder if we will see them teased out over the course of the season so that we don’t get the full story until the last few episodes of the season. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
About the Author - Lisa Macklem
I do interviews and write articles for the site in addition to reviewing a number of shows, including Supernatural, Arrow, Agents of Shield, Agent Carter, The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, The X-Files, Defiance, Bitten, Killjoys, and a few others! I'm active on the Con scene when I have the time. When I'm not writing about television shows, I'm often writing about entertainment and media law in my capacity as a legal scholar. I also work in theatre when the opportunity arises. I'm an avid runner and rider, currently training in dressage.
