SERIES REVIEW – If the first season was just an introduction to Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys), a private investigator turned defense lawyer, the second season sees him in full courtroom glory. HBO’s Max is set during the Great Depression and explores another complex murder case in which Perry must not only uncover the truth but also confront his own conscience and past. In many ways, the second season corrects the mistakes of the first season and offers us an exciting, stylish and witty noir story. HBO’s Max is set during the Great Depression and explores another complex murder mystery.

Perry Mason is one of pop culture’s best-known and most-loved defense lawyers. He has been the subject of radio series, television series, and films based on the novels of Stanley Gardner. Most people are familiar with his portrayal of Raymond Burr, who played the always-winning lawyer for over three decades. HBO’s Max series, however, does not seek to revive Burr’s Perry Mason, but rather to present a whole new perspective on the character. The series is an origin story that shows how Perry became the famous and successful lawyer everyone knows.

The lawyer who won’t let you…

In the second season, Perry Mason is no longer just a rookie lawyer, but a respected and feared advocate. He gets the biggest case in town when two young Mexican-American brothers are accused of murdering the son of an oil tycoon. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Perry throws himself into an investigation that brings him face to face with the darkest side of Los Angeles society. Perry refuses to be swayed by political and economic interests, and is unafraid to confront a corrupt police force, a prejudiced judge and a hostile press.

Perry Mason solves not just one case in season two, but several. As well as the Brooks case, he deals with the case of an old wartime friend who is innocently sent to prison; a mysterious murder linked to a charity; and a personal case in which he tries to find out the circumstances of his father’s death. Perry Mason is not satisfied with just scratching the surface, but always digging deeper to find the truth.

…always one step ahead…

Perry Mason is not only brave and determined, he is also smart and cunning. In season two, he repeatedly shows his skill at manipulating witnesses, evidence and juries. Perry always has an ace up his sleeve to surprise his opponents and turn the odds. Perry not only excels in court, but in the field as well. Perry often finds clues or connections that others miss or keep quiet.

Mason relies not only on his own wits, but also on the wits of others. Several times in season two, he asks for or receives help from others who contribute to solving the case. Perry collaborates with an old friend, Detective Holcomb (Eric Lange), who provides him with important information; a mysterious woman, Claire (Lili Simmons), who infiltrates the oil tycoon’s family; and the head of a charity, Sister Alice McKeegan (Tatiana Maslany), who returns to town.

…but not alone…

Perry Mason is not just an army of one. In season two, he can count on his team to do everything they can to help him. Della Street (Juliet Rylance) is his secretary and partner, who often understands the law better than Perry. Paul Drake (Chris Chalk) is a black private investigator who bravely takes on the most dangerous assignments. Pete Strickland (Shea Whigham) is his old pal and colleague, always up for a bit of mischief or a joke. Perry Mason is a lawyer who doesn’t stand alone.

The lawyer relies not only on his own team, but also on others. The second season introduces several new characters who play important roles in the case. Ginny Aimes (Katherine Waterston) is an ambitious journalist who is Perry’s old flame and current rival. Camille Nygaard (Hope Davis) is a successful businesswoman who is a friend and supporter of Della. Sunny Gryce (Sean Astin) is a supermarket owner who is Perry and Della’s new client.

Even better than the previous season

The second season of Perry Mason is a substantial improvement on the first, which was still too immersed in the protagonist’s origin story and a complicated and uninteresting murder case. In the second season, Perry Mason (Matthew Rhys) is now a full-fledged lawyer, facing another high-profile case in which two Mexican-American brothers are accused of murdering the son of an oil tycoon. The series makes better use of courtroom drama and offers viewers more thrills and twists. The direction has also become more confident and stylish, reflecting the atmosphere and social problems of Los Angeles during the Great Depression.

The actors in season two are also superb, especially Matthew Rhys, who is perfect as the brave, determined, clever and cunning Perry Mason. Alongside Rhys, Juliet Rylance stands out as Della Street, Perry’s secretary and partner, who often knows the law better than Perry. Rylance authentically portrays Della’s struggles and desires in an era when women had few options. Chris Chalk is also convincing as Paul Drake, a black private detective who bravely takes on the most dangerous assignments. Chalk shows well Paul’s inner conflicts and soul-searching.

The second season will feature several new cast members, including Katherine Waterston as Ginny Aimes, Perry’s old love and current rival, and Hope Davis as Camille Nygaard, a successful businesswoman who is a friend and supporter of Della. The second season of Perry Mason offers us a gripping and witty noir story in which Perry Mason not only defends the guilty, but also the truth, while intelligently entertaining us.

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