"Things You Should Have Done" season two is more of an enigma than its predecessor. The BBC Three series began with a dry and quirky tone, centered around Chi (Lucia Keskin), a 23-year-old "stay-at-home daughter" from middle England, navigating life after a traumatic car crash claimed her parents. While the show never succumbed to outright sadness, it took on a zany, farcical quality that kept viewers entertained.
The writing often featured absurd situations and characters speaking in nonsensical idioms. Chi's interactions with her aunt Karen were especially memorable, particularly their biting insults and ridiculous antics. The death of Karen proved pivotal in altering the tone, though her absence felt glaring. Without her scheming and meek husband Dave's misfortunes to anchor the show, "Things You Should Have Done" took on a different character.
Season two boasts talented performances from new additions Bridget Christie as Ruth and Sarah Kendall reprising her role as Sarah Gilbeaux. The chemistry between these characters often made for compelling scenes. Newcomer Juliet Cowan shines as Claudia, rich and unpredictable sister of Dave, whose eccentricities are sometimes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss.
The show's narrative structure also underwent significant changes with season two, now centered around Chi's therapy sessions with Ruth. With the loose list from series one largely abandoned, "Things You Should Have Done" takes on a more defined identity, albeit one that diverges from its original tone.
While fans remain hopeful for Karen's eventual return, those willing to embark on this altered journey will be rewarded with some truly unforgettable moments – such as a spirited rendition of the song "Pure and Simple" by Hear'Say.
The writing often featured absurd situations and characters speaking in nonsensical idioms. Chi's interactions with her aunt Karen were especially memorable, particularly their biting insults and ridiculous antics. The death of Karen proved pivotal in altering the tone, though her absence felt glaring. Without her scheming and meek husband Dave's misfortunes to anchor the show, "Things You Should Have Done" took on a different character.
Season two boasts talented performances from new additions Bridget Christie as Ruth and Sarah Kendall reprising her role as Sarah Gilbeaux. The chemistry between these characters often made for compelling scenes. Newcomer Juliet Cowan shines as Claudia, rich and unpredictable sister of Dave, whose eccentricities are sometimes reminiscent of Dr. Seuss.
The show's narrative structure also underwent significant changes with season two, now centered around Chi's therapy sessions with Ruth. With the loose list from series one largely abandoned, "Things You Should Have Done" takes on a more defined identity, albeit one that diverges from its original tone.
While fans remain hopeful for Karen's eventual return, those willing to embark on this altered journey will be rewarded with some truly unforgettable moments – such as a spirited rendition of the song "Pure and Simple" by Hear'Say.
. The original tone was definitely quirky, but now it's more... intense? I mean, I love Bridget Christie as Ruth, she brings a whole new level of sass to the show 
. But at the same time, Karen's absence is kinda felt, you know? It's like trying to put together a puzzle with missing pieces 
. Will they make it work or will we be left wondering what could've been? Only time (and season 2) will tell 
.
. They changed up the tone so much, it's like they're trying to be two different shows at once 
. Chi's still got that dry wit going on, but now she's in therapy with a new character, Ruth, who brings some nice energy to the show 
. The addition of Bridget Christie and Sarah Kendall is definitely a plus 
. But what happened to Karen? She was such a big part of the first season's weirdness 
. I mean don't get me wrong, Karen's antics were always the highlight for me but at times it felt like the show relied too much on her weirdness 
. The therapy sessions with Ruth are so cleverly done, it's like you're getting two shows for one price 
. And what's up with Karen's absence? That was a big part of the show's charm. But hey, if you're down to explore this new side of the series, I guess it's worth checking out 
. The new characters are actually pretty cool, especially Bridget Christie's Ruth, she's like a therapist who's also judging you for your life choices 
. And Sarah Kendall is back as Sarah Gilbeaux, which is always a plus. But seriously, I'm not sure what happened to the original tone of the show, it just feels...different now 
it's still quirky but more serious than before... i think that's good tho? we get to see chi's therapist sessions with ruth and her friend sarah, which adds a new dynamic to the show 
and bridget christie is amazing as ruth! 
her death was such a shock... can't wait to see what happens next 
That "Pure and Simple" cover by Hear'Say is actually pretty iconic 
. They went from quirky humor to some kinda weird experiment 
. The new narrative focus on Chi's therapy sessions is interesting, I guess 
. Seriously though, if they could find a balance between weirdness and the old charm, I'd be down for season three 
The writers are pushing boundaries with new characters & relationships, like Claudia – she's just soooo weird and wonderful! 
And Ruth, Bridget Christie, is amazing as Chi's therapist. Their sessions are like the heart of the show now. But I gotta say, missing Karen's sharp tongue & Karen's antics was kinda a letdown. Like, where's my dose of zany chaos? 
. And Juliet Cowan as Claudia? Forget about it, she’s like a real-life Dr. Seuss character 
. Still, I don’t know if they’ll ever recapture the same magic as season one, but I’m willing to give it another shot 
but they lost that weird charm from the beginning of the show 
. Still, if you're feeling nostalgic for the first season or just want some quality comedy, it's worth checking out 
. The therapy sessions with Ruth sound really interesting... I'm intrigued to see where it takes Chi 
. The dynamics between Chi and Ruth are undeniable chemistry 
. The show's narrative structure change does make it feel more defined, but at times, it feels a bit disjointed 
. Overall, though, I think this new direction has its perks, especially with Juliet Cowan's standout performance as Claudia 
.
but can we pls get karen back in season 3?! i need my aunt karen fix