Review: Space Force S2 retains comedy magic, but it’s starting to lose its luster

Enlarge / (l-r) Ben Schwartz as Tony Scarapiducci; Tawny Newsome as Angela Ali; Steve Carell as Gen. Mark Naird; Jimmy O. Yang as Dr. Chan Kaifang; Don Lake as Brig. Gen. Bradley Gregory; Diana Silvers as Erin Naird; and John Malkovich as Dr. Adrian Mallory. (credit: Netflix)

The Netflix absurdist comedy Space Force was an Ars favorite in 2020 and easily won a spot on our annual list of best TV shows. We loved the show's wickedly sly humor, absurdist setups, and unexpected heart. Space Force is finally back with a second season, and while much of the old magic remains, the show is starting to lose its luster just a bit-perhaps because we only get seven episodes instead of 10 (thanks, never-ending pandemic).

(Spoilers for S1 below.)

As we've reported previously, the series was created by Steve Carell and Greg Daniels (who also created Parks and Recreation and Upload). Space Force was inspired in part by the Trump administration's announcement that it would establish a national Space Force. Carell plays Mark Naird, a decorated pilot and four-star general with dreams of running the Air Force.

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