Review of 'Raised by Wolves' 2.1-2.2

Raised by Wolves is back for a second season on HBO Max, with two sharp episodes that advanced the narrative in all kinds of intriguing and important ways.

Travis Fimmel was superb, as he was in the first season as the sun god prophet Marcus. The actor has a unique way of expressing emotions, which (of course) first became clear to me in Fimmel's memorable performance as Ragnar in Vikings. In Raised by Wolves, we see it again as Marcus almost seeming to channel Ragnar expresses his fury and disappointment about having to kill an atheist whom Marcus would much rather have converted to his spiritual perspective. And it worked so well -- if you think about it, Ragnar versus the Christian world is much like Marcus versus the godless world out there on that distant, dangerous planet.

The unfolding story in the atheistic center on that planet was multi-layered and fascinating as well. Mother's beloved Campion doesn't see life and his world the same way as his android "mother" on a growing number of crucial issues. He doesn't see the world the same way as Paul, Marcus' adopted son, either, but the two make a good team. And Mother (well played by Amanda Collin) and Father (well played by Abubakar Salim) don't see eye to eye, as well -- ranging from mother and father differences that we recognize in humans here on Earth (Father tells Mother she needs to treat Campion like an adult) to much more serious life and death situations.

The science fictional elements are vivid, ranging from life in the robotic center to the flying snake that seems reminiscent of Dune. In fact, the whole desert part of the Wolves story reminds me of Dune, with nice frightening new ingredients like the acid water. Good thing Raised by Wolves is on in winter, when I'm not likely to want to jump in any nearby ocean for a swim.

I'll be reviewing every episode of this excellent new season of this powerful series, and I'll see you back here next week.