Midnight at the Pera Palace, a Turkish show adapted from the non-fiction book Midnight at the Pera Palace: The Birth of Modern Istanbul, made a strong debut on Netflix in March 2022. However, the follow-up season, released on September 12th, 2024, fails to capture the same magic. Let’s break down why Season 2 misses the mark.
Time Travel Again
Season 2, like its predecessor, follows journalist Esra (Hazal Kaya) as she navigates through different timelines, attempting to alter pivotal moments in Turkish history. Directed by Nisa DaÄŸ and Emre Åžahin, the series is set in the titular Pera Palace Hotel, where history and fiction intertwine. Despite the intriguing premise, Midnight at the Pera Palace struggles to keep up the momentum in its second season.
The first season, while not groundbreaking, managed to blend fiction with historical events in a way that made it watchable. There were flashes of brilliance in both the writing and performances, making the time-travel concept feel fresh. Unfortunately, Season 2 suffers from poor execution and feels like an unnecessary extension of a story that had already reached a satisfying conclusion.
A Stretched Plot
Season 2 consists of eight episodes that shuffle between various timelines, but the narrative lacks coherence. Instead of deepening the story, the series feels stretched, with each episode failing to engage viewers on an emotional or intellectual level. The plot becomes convoluted, with timelines and character arcs that never quite land.
The show’s treatment of time travel and its attempt to mix historical fiction with fantasy elements fall flat, making it hard to stay invested. The magic that made the first season a success is largely absent, and the show’s pacing feels sluggish and repetitive.
Performances Outshine the Writing
One of the saving graces of Midnight at the Pera Palace Season 2 is the cast. Hazal Kaya, Tansu Biçer, and the rest of the ensemble deliver strong performances, managing to breathe life into an otherwise weak script. Their acting elevates the show to a certain extent, but it’s not enough to overcome the mediocre writing.
The actors do their best to bring emotional depth and complexity to their roles, but even their talents can’t mask the fact that the show is trying to do too much, and ultimately, says too little.
A Dip in Quality
It’s not uncommon for shows to experience a drop in quality with subsequent seasons, but the decline in Midnight at the Pera Palace is particularly noticeable. The second season feels like a redundant attempt to capitalize on the success of the first, driven by market demands rather than a need to continue the story. This leaves the audience with a diluted version of what could have been a great standalone series.
Should You Watch It?
If you’re a fan of Turkish history or are curious about the Pera Palace Hotel’s historical significance, you’d be better off reading the book that inspired the show. Season 2 has a few enjoyable moments and twists, but they are few and far between. While the performances are commendable, the lack of a compelling storyline makes this season a frustrating watch.
Conclusion
Midnight at the Pera Palace Season 2 falls short of its potential, bogged down by a stretched plot and lackluster writing. The show, which started strong in Season 1, falters in its attempt to continue a story that didn’t need a sequel. While the cast delivers strong performances, the season fails to engage or entertain at the same level as its predecessor. If you’re new to the series, it’s worth watching the first season and stopping there. Unfortunately, Season 2 doesn’t offer much beyond that.