Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Season 2 Episode 1
How does a show like Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency manage to transform itself from sci-fi to fantasy, remind viewers of several loose ends from season 1, give an update as to everyone’s scattered whereabouts, introduce interesting new characters, and allow time for several deeply emotional moments? It doesn’t seem possible, but the season 2 premiere managed to do just that. As ridiculous as the opening scene was with its pink-haired, scissor-sword fighting prince and talk of prophecies involving Dirk Gently, it framed the rest of the episode so enticingly (along with the mystical ending) that viewers are now ravenous with anticipation for the season ahead. Gotta feel sorry for Ken, though. If it weren’t for the companionship of Rapunzel the corgi, he’d be quite lonely in that cab, and who’s even walking that dog anyway? Plus, one of the most painful aspects of this episode, perhaps even more painful than Dirk’s imprisonment, is that Ken is not with Bart, or Project Marzana as Friedkin calls her. It’s hard to blame Friedkin for wondering why Ken is the only one Bart never killed. If he only knew… Meanwhile, Bart’s encounter with the unlucky secretary, Suzanne, was quite triumphant, likely eliciting cheers from the viewing audience as she took out the goons. How could anyone not love Bart when she declares, “I think sometimes when you’re killing people, they don’t like it. It makes them unhappy and scared and also dead.” Her plaintive request for Suzanne to come with her and be best friends was downright endearing. Listen to our Samuel Barnett interview on the October 2017 Sci Fi Fidelity podcast (at 49:02): Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Stitcher | Soundcloud We must spare some worry for the Rowdy 3 as we’re shown that Vogle is the only one currently accompanying Amanda. Whether the other three have been captured by Blackwing remains to be seen, but like most of the other character arcs in this episode, it’s disconcerting to see groups separated this way. Viewers should be slightly heartened to see that Amanda has gained a power of sorts, unhelpful as her visions might be as they become shorter and more vague. Freeze-framed screenshots might actually yield results for the dedicated fan. Getting hints of Dirk’s back story was also uplifting despite his lack of success with Friedkin’s tests. Of course, we have no idea why the warring families of Inglenook need to find him or why the shapeshifting fairy, for lack of a better term, helps him to escape, but it certainly was a magnificently magical rescue to behold. And just as Prince Panto Trost was implored by his star-crossed lover to “Find Dirk Gently,” Dirk himself is instructed to “Find the boy!” Meanwhile, the audience just wants everyone to find each other! All of these twists and turns are exactly what make fans of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency squeal with delight, and although we may not be thrilled about the sheriff and his drunken deputy honing in on the Brotzmans and Farah, there’s a sneaking suspicion that the journey along the way will be a thrill ride. This opening episode hit the ground running, and the story is just as engaging as the first season, different though it may be. Soon the audience will have to answer the Mage’s question: “Have you noticed an acceleration of strangeness in your life?” The answer: “Yes, every Saturday night at 9.” Read the full Den of Geek NYCC Special Edition Magazine right here!
