The Turd Burglar, a perpetrator of pranks at St. Bernardine, the Catholic school where American Vandal Season 2 is set, causes a series of rather childish pranks, and sends the prestigious school into chaos. The first episode was the opposite of expected from this series, and was a jarring beginning to the second season.

This vandal caused several crimes related to… poop. The first scene was repulsively graphic— all of a sudden, students were running to the bathrooms. They needed to find someplace to go: lockers, backpacks, trash cans- nothing was safe. This was called “The Brownout,” and I had to close my eyes.

Although this season may seem like one big poop joke, American Vandal is so much more. This self proclaimed “mockumentary” made me forget about how the crime even started, and had me focused on figuring out who really did it. The show takes a juvenile concept and turns it into a compelling crime series, one that had me watching every episode in just one sitting.

Each episode includes a suspect for the crimes, and recurring twists and turns in the plot cause the viewers to question every character’s alibi. Even the two main characters, Peter Maldonado and Sam Ecklund ( Tyler Alvarez and Griffin Gluck), butt heads.

Both season one and two include a person who might have been falsely accused of committing the crime, but the second season takes it a step further. In the first episode, the suspected guilty party, Kevin McClain (Travis Tope), gets evidence piled on top of him. He seems guilty of putting the laxatives in the cafeteria food, until his grandma (Susan Ruttan), asks, “ If Kevin was guilty, why did he poop his own pants?”

While some characters were exaggerated to be stereotypical, like the popular jock, the weird nerd, and the prissy rich girl, they become relatable. It shows that there are two sides to every story, and even when every piece of evidence points to someone being guilty, that might not be the case.

Despite all of these factors, the show did not seem to be forced or rushed. It valued having a concrete storyline over its comedic effect, and the comedy came naturally. While many shows strive for this, they never achieve the same effect.

American Vandal ends perfectly, with a major twist, and yet, everything manages to click together. With the unsatisfying ending of season one, this season is a vast improvement.

Did you watch American Vandal season two?

• Yes! I loved it!
• Yes, I didn't like it.
• No, but I want to.
• No, and I don't want to.

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