Santa Clarita Diet is an American comedy horror television series created by Victor Fresco for Netflix, starring Drew Barrymore and Timothy Olyphant. The series centers on Joel and Sheila Hammond, suburban real estate agents in Santa Clarita, California, whose lives change dramatically when Sheila becomes a zombie. The second season, consisting of 10 episodes, continues the story with even more surprises and turns.
Where Season One Left Off
Season 2 picks up directly after the events of the first season. Sheila is chained up in the basement to prevent her from acting on her urges, and Joel has been sent to a psychiatric ward after trashing the principal’s house. The Hammonds are still trying to find a cure for Sheila's condition, with the help of their neighbor, Eric.
Key Plot Points and Character Developments
- Joel's Time in the Mental Ward: Joel is seen at the mental ward and has a roommate named Ron, who is unstable but connects with Joel. Joel empathizes with Ron, leading to his release from the ward.
- The Quest for Serbian Bile: Joel searches for Serbian bile, needed for the serum Eric and Abby are working on. Abby also looks for bile online and finds someone named Goran.
- Sheila's Zombie Rage: Sheila escapes the basement to find Abby. Sheila’s zombie rage kicks in when Goran tries to get close to Abby, leading to Sheila devouring him and destroying the kitchen.
- Eric's Serum: Eric creates a serum that keeps Sheila from getting worse. Despite this, the family decides to chain Sheila up in the basement again.
- The Mysterious Ramona: Ramona, the Rite-Aid girl, reappears and is revealed to be a zombie herself. She becomes interested in Eric and Sheila.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Joel and Sheila grapple with the morality of killing people to satisfy Sheila’s hunger. They consider only murdering bad people, such as a Neo-Nazi group.
- Gary's Undead Head: Gary, whose brain Sheila didn't devour, is still alive as a severed head. Anne, Eric’s stepmom and a police officer, becomes suspicious.
- Anne's Discovery: Anne investigates and connects Gary’s finger to Sheila. Gary wants to die, but when Joel and Sheila try to bury him, Anne shoots Sheila. Because Sheila is undead, Anne believes Sheila is a sign from God.
Notable Guest Stars
Season Two features the same main cast as season one, including Drew Barrymore as Sheila Hammond, Timothy Olyphant as Joel Hammond, Liv Hewson as Abby Hammond, and Skyler Gisondo as Eric Bemis. Notable guest stars this season include:
- Nathan Fillion as Gary West
- Richard T. Jones as Rick
- Joy Osmanski as Alondra
- Joel McHale
- Maggie Lawson
- Gerald McRaney
- Zachary Knighton
Twists and Turns
- Sheila's Escape and Continued Hunger: Despite being chained in the basement, Sheila tricks Eric into letting her out.
- Rival Realtors: Joel and Sheila must figure out how to deal with snobby competitors Chris & Christa without killing them.
- Ramona's Intentions: Ramona starts dating Eric and becomes possessive. Her true nature as a zombie is eventually revealed.
- Anne's Investigation: Anne Garcia continues to investigate Joel and Sheila's actions, getting closer to the truth.
- Gary's Final Request: Gary West wants Joel and Sheila to fulfill his final request.
- Neo-Nazi Targets: Joel and Sheila discover a chapter of Neo-Nazis in Santa Clarita and consider them as targets to feed Sheila.
The Show's Tone and Themes
Santa Clarita Diet blends suburban sitcom elements with the gore and dark humor of the zombie genre. The second season improves upon the first by better balancing these elements and exploring the ramifications of Sheila's condition. The show is unafraid to roll around in blood and guts while also aiming for big laughs and romantic comedy moments.
One of the key themes is the reinvigoration of life through Sheila's transformation. Becoming undead allows her to be more present and mindful of her desires. The season delves into what Sheila's condition means for her family and her own personal growth.
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Sheila's Personal Reinvention
A twist reveals that Sheila's transformation was caused by eating bad clams. This leads to a deeper look at Sheila's character, as she admits she didn't complain about the clams because she didn't want to seem critical. The show argues that Sheila must become a new person while still holding onto her essence.
Joel's Support and Growth
Joel also gets more development, as he grapples with his desire for a normal life while supporting Sheila. His love for his wife is a central theme, making for genuinely romantic television. Joel is portrayed as a great sitcom husband with his own personality and emotional quirks.
Humor and Slapstick
The show maintains a high joke ratio and utilizes the slapstick potential of the premise. The discovery of Gary's severed, vocal head in the desert provides consistent comedic delight, thanks to Nathan Fillion's performance.
Morality and Ethics
The season raises questions about the moral implications of Sheila's desire for flesh. The Hammonds decide to only kill "bad people," but the show doesn't fully explore the parameters of this decision or the consequences for the victims' families.
Critical Reception
The second season of Santa Clarita Diet received generally positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the season has an approval rating of 89% based on 19 reviews, with an average rating of 7.85/10.
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