Synopsis: Picking up in the aftermath of that bloody backyard reveal, the irrepressible pair once again struggle to keep their secrets buried. With a surprising new visitor in town and Detective Perez (Diana Maria Riva) hot on their heels, Jen and Judy take drastic measures to protect their loved ones and each other—no matter the cost.

Format: 10 episodes, streaming on Netflix, Friday, May 8.

Cast: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Natalie Morales, Max Jenkins, Sam McCarthy, Luke Roessler

Directors: Liza Johnson (1–2), Tamra Davis (3–4), Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum (5–6), Jennifer Getzinger (7–8), Silver Tree (9–10)
Writers: Liz Feldman (1, 7–10), Elizabeth Benjamin (2), Cara DiPaolo (3, 10), Jessi Klein (4), Celeste Hughey (6), Kelly Hutchinson (5, 9; executive story editor)

The first season of Dead to Me was a surprise hit early in 2019. Its mix of dark comedy and serious dramatic themes made for utterly bingeable television. Now the series is back for a second season, continuing on from a massive cliffhanger. Don’t worry, I’ll dodge spoilers—but yes, there are plenty of surprises in store.

Steve is dead. How exactly he died is one of the many questions left lingering in the Season 1 finale, and one the second season is in no rush to answer. Instead, the focus is primarily on how Jen deals with the death of her ex and what it does to her relationship with Judy—a relationship that was, as far as everyone was concerned, done.

Season 1 spent a lot of time dealing with and overcoming the past: the past actions of Steve and Judy; the ramifications of losing a husband and a father. How do you move past such a loss? How do you move forward? Season 2 dwells on the actions that led to Steve’s death, but for the most part it’s about moving forward and trying to find a new beginning. It’s as funny as the first season, yet equally nuanced in how it tackles the show’s more dramatic themes.

Judy has very mixed feelings about Steve’s death. On one hand, he was a horrible, manipulative person who caused the death of Jen’s husband. On the other, he was the man she loved. With the amazing Linda Cardellini playing Judy, you get a nuanced performance from a character who is often playing a part or putting on an act. She pretended to be okay; she pretended not to know who Jen was; she dug herself into an awful position. But through a combination of flashbacks with Steve and Judy, you can start to believe their love was there in one way or another. Even if Steve was a horrible person, there were times he made Judy feel loved.

Christina Applegate is a powerhouse again this season as Jen, working her way through every scene. The number of GIF-able zingers she gets is more than many characters get in much longer-running comedies. Her family dynamic is pushed from different angles, including the growing challenge of a teenage son. Watching her deal with the constantly falling Jenga blocks of life makes for a much more hectic experience than Jen processing grief in Season 1. In fact, the roles are kind of reversed between the two women this season.

With so much to explore with the characters we already have, it was a smart choice not to add a bunch of new ones. However, there is one major addition: Natalie Morales as Michelle. She arrives early, moving her mother into the nursing home where Judy works. Michelle’s mother isn’t too happy about the change; Judy helps calm the situation. The two strike up a friendship that builds throughout the season. Michelle is into crystals, smoking weed, and gorging on large burrito orders. She’s very much not Jen—and she’s a great addition to the cast.

As the season builds toward its final episodes, the pieces start to fall in such a way that I began to think it might be the end. I’d have been sad if this were the last time with these fantastic characters. Thankfully, just when things seem to be on a direct path, a curveball is thrown and the third season’s big secret is laid down.

Dead to Me is one of Netflix’s best series, and the second season only builds on everything in Season 1 with unique and interesting angles. Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini are one of—if not the—best TV duos going around at the moment. I love them. I wish there were more of this show now, and I cannot wait for Season 3.