Review of Future Man: Season Two

By Dave B.

The second season of Future Man (Hulu) takes place one year after the conclusion of the first season which saw our hero, Josh Futterman (Josh Hutcherson), imprisoned with multiple life sentences for committing a deadly terrorist attack that was intended to prevent a devastating war in the future. In season two, Josh wakes up to find himself in a future where his actions not only did not prevent a war, but made it many times more destructive than it would have been without his interference. Josh must reconnect with his team of time-travelling miscreants Tiger (Eliza Coupe) and Wolf (Derek Wilson) to prevent the complete extermination of humanity at the hands of an egotistical AI . But can the group re-forge their strained bonds and find a way to defeat their nearly all-powerful enemy without their time machine?

One of my first reviews was for Future Man: Season One where I judged the show to be somewhat uneven in the success of its humor and it’s transitions from comedy to drama, but excellent with time-travel mechanics, overall plot, and performances. Season two takes a different tack: it severely curbs the time-travel aspects of the show and introduces a more introspective and focused look at the impact that our hero’s adventures have had on their psyches and interpersonal dynamics. This leads the show to lose a lot of its epic feel, but makes the overall season more well-rounded.

Particularly impressive is Wilson’s performance. He stands out every time that he’s on the screen, which is even more impressive considering that the show’s performances overall are one of its strengths. He’s one of the funniest actors on television and probably deserves some Emmy consideration for his performance this season. I also need to mention that the world-building on this show is fantastic. The most ridiculous concepts are made plausible because of the history and smallest details of various timelines are treated with meticulous care. It’s a joy to lose yourself in this show’s worlds.

Overall, Future Man: Season Two is slightly less fun than the first season, but significantly better crafted. I highly recommend this show, but only if you’re willing to watch Season One first. The story can only be fully appreciated as a whole. But since each of the 30-minute, 13 episode seasons are among the most unique offerings on television, they’re definitely worth your time. I can hardly wait for Season Three! (Which, you’ll know if you’ve ever read one of my reviews, means that this show will probably be cancelled soon. Sigh.) 

Rating: 8/10