Netflix’s range of sitcoms is expanding beyond the English language, and the Smother-in-Law Season 2 review shares whether similar elements are transported in the language or not. This series stars Rodrigo Sant’anna, Pedro Ottoni, Bárbara Sut, Lidi Lisboa, Solange Teixeira, Ney Lima, Daniela Fontan, Rafael Zulu and Thaissa Carvalho alongside other cast members. Rodrigo Sant’anna also joins the crew as the programme creator. This show contains ten episodes, with each of them ranging from 20-25 minutes.
Also known as A Sogra Que Te Pariu, Smother-in-Law follows the life of Isadir, who moves in with her son and daughter-in-law during the pandemic, meddling in their private lives.
-The Smother-in-Law Season 2 Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
Sitcoms are some of the most interesting comedy genres currently. The multi-cam arrangement, the pauses for the laugh track and the dramatic dialogue delivery make it extremely entertaining. Sadly, Smother-in-Law does not join the roster of good sit-coms this year. Apart from the blatant gender-bending costume that was supposed to be for physical comedy, the random bursts of energy and the significant lull in the humour clearly showed exactly how entertaining this show could be.
While the writing is not that terrible, the premise it is based on creates a lot of problems for what the way the show turns out. The characters are not well-established, there are too many protagonists, and there is this untouchable air about the character Isadir that truly questions why members of the family continue to keep her around. There is really no motivation to this show apart from the fact that there are some shenanigans in every episode, and it all magically resolves itself. There is no greater narrative structure this season.
Furthermore, the representation of gay people in this show is so backward; they might as well have made this show in the early 90s. Stereotypical approaches to identity, overly promiscuous and scandalous, and punching down on the community by featuring these characters, Smother-in-Law takes up this weird space between accepting their identities and insulting them by reducing them to a monolithic trope.
It still remains unclear why we need a man to play Isadir because there is no narrative impact on the character being played by a man except for the fact that it somehow makes for better comedy than the jokes on this show. The humour in this is seriously unfunny, relies too much on recycled jokes and barely sets any explosive mise-en-scene that lands well by the end of the episode. Surprisingly, the cast found so many reasons to laugh at each other because their jokes were not landing.
Which becomes the linchpin in this discussion because why are the actors laughing in the show and breaking character too clearly in the series? Isn’t it their whole job to be professionals and land jokes without losing their cool through it? If this is what the sitcom genre has to become, please retire it already. The main characters are clearly seen laughing in the take even when they are stuck in a situation that wouldn’t warrant such a response.
The only good thing about this show is that Isadir has been given so much freedom to express her sexuality in the most healthy way possible. She has a barrage of healthy sex jokes, makes them with her kids and grandkids but also gives them a choice to express it in the way they want. She carries sex toys and has a healthy libido, and while there are instances where her attraction is entirely inappropriate, it is perhaps the only thing the show can be liked for.
Also Read: All Upcoming Millie Bobby Brown Movies and Shows: Stranger Things 5, Damsel and More
Smother-in-Law Season 2 Review: Final Thoughts
Sitcoms aren’t supposed to bore people almost enough to fall asleep, but this definitely does. There is no reason why we should root for any characters. We don’t know their stories, and we don’t have any idea why they are motivated in life. This writer would tell anyone contemplating watching this show to leave that idea and instead fix their irreparable sleep schedule because this show is not the answer to boredom; it is the thing causing it.
There are other brilliant Portuguese shows coming to the streaming platform, and some are even streaming now, so viewers needn’t catch this even though they were green-lit for a second season.
Smother-in-Law Season 2 is currently streaming on Netflix. What did you think of this sitcom and its characters? Let us know in the comments below.