Streaming series review - Public Enemy: Season Two

Public Enemy: Season Two, *** (out of 5) Three months ago, I posted a review of Season One of this Belgian procedural series. Here’s the link to that submission for a memory refresher:

https://patch.com/missouri/clayton-richmondheights/streaming-series-review-public-enemy

Season Two begins two years later. Chloe had left the police force after the triggering events of before, and frustration nightmares from STILL not knowing what happened to her sister so long ago. But when another girl, Jasmine (Fantine Harduin), goes missing from the village, and the police seem overmatched, her parents coax Chloe into coming back to do her thing. Guy is still at the monastery; Brother Lucas has been on a mission in Africa, returning coincidentally around the same time as Chloe; Michael is still the lead detective for the local cops, though still shaken by his previous experiences. Patrick, who had been the main pain-in-the-ass agitator, has been living as a pariah from the events of Season One. He’s shunned by all; barely able to find or hold a job; and becoming almost as sympathetic this time as he was odious in the first.

We soon learn that Jasmine was groomed into a cult by the charismatic Simon (Vincent Eloy), who keeps his members – mostly female - in an isolated, nearly self-sufficient compound, convincing them that their families don’t miss them, and that everyone outside the fence is evil. He teaches them everything from farming to weaponry, but especially into seeing him as the source of all wisdom, and no outsider can be trusted. His performance is alarmingly credible; same for his main psycho discipline enforcer, Nelly (Judith Williquet), who shines in several of the season’s most intense moments.

During the season, we learn about the fate of Cloe’s sister, Jess (Emylie Buxin). Guy continues to dole out tidbits of helpful information so coyly that he still seems to have an agenda making him more dangerous than repentant. Everything he does wafts more of the same Hannibal Lecter manipulation vibe as before. This season broadens the plotlines by giving far more screen time and character development to others besides the leads from Season One. That makes the 10 episodes more exciting and emotionally engaging, with so many subplots and story arcs. More physical action and moments of suspense, too; plus a couple of moments showing some naughty bits.

The season ends with considerable resolution, but leaves some dangling issues that will presumably be wrapped up in Season Three, which aired abroad in 2023, and most certainly will be streaming here in the next few months. I’ll be back for more. You might, too.

(Public Enemy: Season Two streams on MHz Choice, with the first two episodes on 6/10/25, followed by two more for each of the ensuing four weeks.)