I had my reservations with Season one. I liked aspects of it but Barrymore's unconvincing acting, and the rushed shonky delivery of some of the dialog in this very dialog based series took the edge off a pretty decent idea and setting.
The good news is in the hiatus to series 2 Barrymore has got her mojo back, inhabiting the character much better, and the writers have taken it up multiple notches with many intelligent and insightful angles on the story and set pieces within it. It all ties together incredibly well, little details become important details later in the episode or series. It really is a confident and well thought our series and many steps above the first series which was merely good.
I really liked the Dance lessons episode 'Pasión' with a nuanced character delivery from Gerald McRaney. Timothy Olyphant was already good but he's taken it to another level too.
My favorite character is Skyler Gisondo's Eric Bemis, laugh after laugh from him.
He's perfect and his interactions with Liv Hewson's Abby are top notch. Her character has also become completely convincing, and confidently delivered.
There really is good comedy tied into this dark tale, and mostly they find the right balance.
There's also good thought provoking aspects to it too. Lots of moral dilemmas discussed and investigated. It's not just throw away comedy entertainment, it's got depth.
Well done for stepping up your game. If you found the first series 'ok' do give this second series a chance. It really is many many steps up from the first.