The 2014 film, Dear White People, was a damn good debut from writer/director, Justin Simien. However, when the film was adapted into a ten episode series on Netflix, it became the gold standard for me when it came to films being adapted into TV shows. It took the story, ideas, and characters of the film, and expanded upon them in smart, funny, and meaningful ways. Now, I just got around to finishing Dear White People Vol. 2, a ten episode followup which was made available to stream on Netflix on the fourth of May, and I figured I’d briefly talk about how great it is.
The new season follows the same structure of the first season, where in each episode we follow a different character, and experience the events of the story through their perspective, and dive deeper into what made them who they are, and why they make certain decisions. This time around, it picks up not too long after the events of Winchester University from season one. After a fire at the mostly white Davis House, a forced integration is made at the predominantly black, AP House, increasing tensions while an alt-right undercurrent rises on campus, with its target aimed almost squarely at Sam (Logan Browning) and her radio show.
That’s the larger framework, and a number of the episodes deal in mostly individual stories with somewhat thin connections to the overall plot. And that is by no means a bad thing, in actuality, it gives the show its own unique identity, and it allows for characters to be fleshed out in ways that are compelling and interesting. I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite, but I thought Chapter I & Chapter IX with Sam were very powerful, Chapter IV with Coco (Antoinette Robertson) really took me by surprise, Joelle (Ashley Blaine Featherson) is a joy in Chapter V, and since I find Reggie (Marque Richardson) to be such a strong character, I really dug how Chapter II focused on the psychological ramifications of what happened to his character in the first season.
I just listed half the episodes, and it just goes to show how consistent it all it. Justin Simien and his team of writers and directors all do a wonderful job at bringing these characters to life, and even when an episode might deal with a character you’re not as interested as another, they do something to keep you watching. It’s a wonderful balance, and it helps that all the actors are just fantastic, managing to be very naturalistic, yet filled with a stylish, comic flourishes. It wouldn’t surprise me if any one of these people end up getting big Hollywood offers soon, and they deserve it. Every character, no matter how big or small, makes an impression. That is a very hard thing to do, and to see this show continuously bring it episode after episode is a sight to behold.
I also love the show’s aesthetic. I adore the title cards. I love the playful but meticulous framing. I love use of music. I love how it all comes together seamlessly. Along with Simien, this season featured directors such as Charlie McDowell, Kimberly Peirce, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Janicza Bravo, all talented very filmmakers, and I really dug what they all brought to the show. One thing that I think is underappreciated about the show is how tight it all is. It’s ten episodes, roughly half an hour each, and they all pack tons of information both in terms of character and plot, but it never feels exhausting. Unlike some shows where binging feels like a chore or an obligation, watching Dear White People is miraculously both effortlessly watchable, and dense in its thought provoking ideas explored through character and drama.
Also, a little side note, but it was so nice seeing Tessa Thompson and Tyler James Williams back. If you don’t know, Thompson played Sam in the film, and Williams played Lionel (who is played in the show by DeRon Horton). It was cool to see them come back, and their back-and-forth as rival political pundits was a fun dynamic.
This season ends on a cliffhanger, so I’m hoping that Volume 3 is a thing that is actively in the works. I really like these characters, and I think this show is the kind of show we need right now, as it deals with hot topics in a way that is informative, challenging, engaging, and thoughtful. It never takes the easy way out of things, as it goes out of its way to have our characters face things that make them uncomfortable or challenge certain notions. Not a lot of entertainment does that, and don’t think that the show ever sacrifices entertainment value for any of those, it remains entertaining while being smart. If you haven’t seen any of this, I strongly urge you to check it out. The film is good, but the show is essential work, and perhaps among the very best things you can see on Netflix right now.