In season 2 of Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery, Salvo and Valentino once again find themselves in the crosshairs of Holy Father and the mafia and must do everything they can to stay alive. The episodes are now streaming on Netflix.
Story
Salvo and Valentino’s lives are once again turned upside down when Holy Father and Tonino show up and force them to do their bidding as Holy Father aims to build his criminal enterprise back up again.
Salvo is at a rocky point in his relationship with Ester and the two of them are still in love with each other, even though Salvo is unsure of how to act upon those feelings.
Valentino is deeply in love with Agata but is having trouble committing to her by moving out of his mother’s place. The guilt of constantly lying to her after Holy Father returns also weighs down upon him.
The real killer is still on the loose as Salvo and Valentina get back up to their old tricks. They stumble their way through the investigation placing them right at the center of a huge mafia takedown.
Performances
Salvatore Ficarra and Valentino Picone continue to display why they’re considered an entertaining duo. They exhibit more than just comedic chops and are entertaining throughout.
Tony Sperandeo as Tonino “Useless thing” Macaluso once again shines as he is tasked with a bulk of the emotional heft in the series. He’s lovable and amusing in equal measure.
Anna Favella and Marianna Di Martino play Ester and Agata respectively and they are competent supporting cast members. The two of them act as the primary motivation for Salvo and Valentino and they perform well in those roles.
Positives
The series knows exactly what tone it’s going for and succeeds in maintaining the balance between humor and thrilling mystery from start to finish. The story is easy to follow the right amount of twists and turns to keep the audience guessing.
The script is also exceptionally written. For a casual comedy series, the dialogues are surprisingly profound at times and the actors deliver them with conviction to create wonderful content.
Negatives
The side plot involving the Mexicans and the debt owed by Holy Father feels like an unnecessary addition that isn’t fleshed out properly. There is very little explanation or context provided for their existence and they merely act as time fillers.
A genuine criticism is that the series doesn’t capitalize on its high potential and simply takes the easy route. The minds behind the series do not push the boundaries and settle for something straightforward and fair.
Verdict
Season 2 of Framed! A Sicilian Murder Mystery isn’t a huge improvement on the first but it still manages to produce a delightful story with wonderful characters and a satisfying conclusion. This comedy series won’t make many must-watch lists and is better appreciated as a casual fodder to raise the spirits.