Malpractice Season 2: Is It As Good As Season 1? You Won’t Believe The Verdict!

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A star rating of 3 out of 5.

In a delightful twist, the initial season of “Malpractice” proved to be an unexpected treasure. It skillfully navigated the realm of medical thrillers without sacrificing its genuine portrayal of the healthcare world for dramatic twists, while at the same time maintaining its intention to deliver a truly engaging and suspenseful viewing experience.

The main strength came from Niamh Algar’s powerful central role, and the show’s commitment to resolve its storyline and central enigmas within just five episodes. It’s frustrating when a thriller leaves its viewers hanging with no promise of resolution, hoping for answers that may never come.

Regardless, a hypothetical Season 2 would have faced a conundrum: either extend the narrative, potentially pushing it past reasonable limits and compromising its credibility, or abandon Algar’s storyline and shift to a more anthological structure.

Grace Ofori-Attah and ITV made a smart decision by choosing to continue with the anthology format for their series, but this choice isn’t without risks. Not every show is suitable or able to function as an anthology. Fortunately, Malpractice’s second season has demonstrated that it can pull off this style effectively.

In the latest season, Tom Hughes plays Dr. James Ford, a psychiatric resident, who must juggle two demanding situations: conducting a postnatal evaluation for a nervous new mother and dealing with the commitment of a psychotic patient, both occurring during his shift on duty.

In a turn of events that appears to stem from decisions made by Dr Ford, he encounters an inquiry led by the returning personnel Dr Norma Callahan (Helen Behan) and Dr George Adjei (Jordan Kouamé) from the Medical Investigation Unit.

The structure isn’t too far off from Season 1, and the main character shares some similarities with Algar’s Lucinda. They both have a strong sense of self, can be hard to like initially, but as the story unfolds, they become complex enough that you find yourself cheering for them.

As a film enthusiast, I’d say the unique angle here is that it delves into two distinct realms – obstetrics and psychiatry – offering a glimpse into the intricate web of collaboration between various units within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS).

Given her expertise in psychiatry, it is logical that she would focus on this field, and her extensive experience shines through yet again.

The truthfulness leaps out vividly on-screen, offering unique glimpses into the collaborative dynamics within a bustling hospital, as well as how these connections intertwine with the personal tension and strain experienced by each staff member individually.

Just like last season, the opening episode is exceptionally captivating. While it may not match the fast-paced intensity of the show’s debut, it certainly doesn’t mean it’s boring or sluggish.

The events remain intense, and especially the second part of the episode significantly increases the suspense to nearly unmanageable degrees, in a wonderfully effective manner.

Just like in season 1, it hinges on your interest in two key elements: the people (characters) and the predicaments they encounter.

The performance of both actors significantly enhances the series, with their exceptional talents standing out once more. While Hughes might not possess the same level of weightiness or captivating allure as Algar, he still delivers a compelling lead performance. He manages to maintain an air of mystery while also making his character relatable and human.

During the course of the series, Selin Hizli beautifully portrays the complex character of Dr Sophia Hernandez, an obstetrics registrar. Her relationship with Dr Ford is strained and volatile. However, her role becomes more significant towards the latter part of the series, where she delivers some genuinely heart-wrenching scenes that leave a lasting impact.

Hannah McClean delivers an outstanding performance as Rosie, the fresh mother whose tale initiates the season’s narrative. The character requires a finesse that most actors struggle with due to the wide range of emotions she must convey. However, McClean manages this challenge exceptionally well.

In spite of all the positives, this season doesn’t quite measure up to the first.

In simple terms, the initial episode is fantastic and engaging, but the subsequent two episodes lose some momentum. While new aspects are constantly introduced, the surprises and disclosures don’t seem as impactful or well-connected this season.

By the close of the third installment, it seemed like the story needed to pick up speed a bit more. Watching Ford and Hernandez exchange hostile words repeatedly becomes monotonous and predictable after a while.

Luckily, the last two episodes manage to shift the storyline somewhat, featuring intense, emotionally charged scenes that might be challenging to watch. Viewers ought to brace themselves for a particularly distressing segment in episode 4, which is skillfully executed but could potentially be overwhelming for sensitive audiences.

The ultimate decision, while generally acceptable, seems somewhat wide-reaching, tending more towards stark contrasts instead of the nuances that brought about its initial triumphs.

Indeed, it’s worth noting that among the cast, Norma and George are the ones making a comeback. Given their prior development, they assume a somewhat more significant role in this new installment, due to our existing familiarity with them.

In this new season, both Kouamé and Behan are assigned a bit more depth, as the show delves deeper into their personal lives, which was less emphasized in the previous season, thereby enriching their characters.

From one perspective, it’s refreshing – nobody enjoys interacting with flat characters we hardly recognize. Yet, from another angle, these scenes seem somewhat forced, as if they were obligatory additions instead of elements that significantly contribute to the core essence of the storyline.

It makes sense that Kouame and Behan might desire a bigger role after coming back, but the fact remains that during Season 1, these characters served primarily as plot tools. Unfortunately, even in Season 2, they haven’t ventured much beyond this function yet.

It’s fair to say that Season 2 of Malpractice manages to deliver effectively, considering the significant changes between the first and second seasons. This might sound like a backhanded compliment, but in light of the turmoil, it’s actually quite an achievement.

In the realm of television shows, I find myself utterly captivated by the fact that Season 2 has solidified its potential for longevity. Kudos to the creative team, led by Ofori-Attah, who have demonstrated an exceptional ability to transform tales from within the NHS into gripping thrillers.

Although Season 2 might not reach the same heights as Season 1, it continues to deliver outstanding acting, delves into profound ideas, packs an emotional wallop, and maintains the genuine charm that made its predecessor so popular.

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2025-05-05 00:38