Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

What does God need with a Jazz band?

Reviewed by Martin Liebman November 18, 2017

Preacher's first season took its time building up the characters and the narrative and establishing the general flow and feel for which the show was aiming. Season two begins with a much more established and immediately engaged delivery, which flows well following season one but is also a bit jarring considering the slower, bleaker beginnings only ten episodes prior. If season one was a slow-boil build, season two is the pot scalding to the touch and its contents bubbling over with carefree pop and excitement. As the characters search for God and deal with the powers of "Genesis" -- no, this is not Star Trek V and Star Trek III -- the show takes them through humorously grotesque adventure, meeting strange characters and dealing with unusual circumstances along they way as they sort out who they are and the messes they're in. It's chaotic and charming at the same time, a fine-line balance that only rarely can the show not traverse with expert grace.

Official synopsis: The second season of 'Preacher' is a genre-bending thrill ride that follows West Texas preacher Jesse Custer (Dominic Cooper), his badass ex-girlfriend Tulip (Ruth Negga) and Irish vampire Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) as they embark on a road trip to find God and are thrust into a twisted battle spanning Heaven, Hell and everywhere in between.

Even if season two's flow is markedly more even in this 13-episode outing, going full-bore right from the opening scene forward, the show maintains its curious but effective blend of excessive violence and breezy characterization and humor. The show is nothing if it's now downright weird, basking in extremes and only asking the audience come along for the ride and take it all at face value, not uncover some grand idea of life along the way. Even as the characters search for the ultimate answer -- God -- the show revels in its simpler road trip qualities and humorous bends and jaunts along the way. In addition to weird, the show is nothing if it's not unpredictable beyond the understanding that it's going to go to some strange places, introduce some strange characters, and build its characters, story, and world in unexpected ways. That's certainly the show's, and season two's, in particular, draw, that anticipation of what zany bit of character humor, excess blood and gore, or snap moment of serious narrative progression might come next. Yet for as fun as the adventures of Jesse, Tulip, and Cassidy may be, there's always The Saint of Killers in pursuit, a contrarian in many ways who is dark, mysterious, stoic, and focused, qualities that certainly don't always follow around the trio of road tripping leads, at least not collectively and consistently. That dark contrast and stalking villain always keeps the show, and the audience, on edge, knowing that for all the fun and frivolity there's always something unspeakably dark just around the bend.

Preacher may have plenty of fun with its various grotesque and humorous and oddball twists and turns and happenings, but none of it would work were it not for the seamless camaraderie between the show's trio of lead characters. Every scene they share, whether two or all three, is magical. They elevate an already off-the-wall but great script, not only getting along but getting the idea of what the show wants to bring to the table. It's quality work that elevates the show by a significant margin and keeps its zaniness in check, finding a needed balance to all of its extremes. Season two additionally amps up the gore, no easy task given season one's propensity to slather the screen in the gooey red stuff, yet here it is, a season that takes no breaks and takes no easy ways out. Outrageous new characters, far-flung locations, and curiosities galore round the show into delectably strange and, often, irresistible form.

The following episodes comprise season two. Summaries are courtesy of the Blu-ray packaging. Spoilers follow.

Disc One:

• On the Road: In the wake of Annville’s annihilation, Jesse (Dominic Cooper) and his friends set out in search of God, unaware of a deadly nemesis that is following their every move.
• Mumbai Sky Tower: As Jesse squares off against the Saint of Killers (Graham McTavish) at a Texas motel, an old partner in crime returns to threaten Tulip (Ruth Negga).
• Damsels: A trip to New Orleans threatens to expose Tulip to an angry ex-boss and places an unwitting Jesse in the crosshairs of a dangerous secret organization.
• Viktor: As their arrival in New Orleans brings Tulip face to face with a disgruntled ex-boss, Jesse gets some surprising news about his search for God.

Disc Two:

• Dallas: As Tulip recalls the turn in their relationship that led him back to Annville, Jesse looks to take revenge on her mobster husband.
• Sokosha: Jesse’s search for the actor who was killed while playing God leads him into a risky bargain with the Saint of Killers.
• Pig: As Tulip joins in a deadly game to raise money for Jesse’s search, Cassidy (Jospeh Gilgun) faces a big decision about Denis.

Disc Three:

• Holes: As Jesse ramps up his search, Tulip finds that they are being followed.
• Puzzle Piece: As Jesse prepares to repel an attack by the Grail, Cassidy helps his ailing son make a surprising recovery.
• Dirty Little Secret: As Herr Starr (Pip Torrens) leads Jesse to the Messiah, Tulip suspects she’s being drawn into a trap set by the Grail.

Disc Four:

• Backdoors: After Herr Starr schemes to come between him and Tulip and sow doubt about the fate of the Saint of Killers, Jesse must continue his search for God alone.
• On Your Knees: After being forced into a showdown with the Saint of Killers, Jesse continues his search for God.
• The End of the Road: As Jesse is recruited to be the Messiah, Tulip uncovers the truth about the Grail.

Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Preacher: Season Two's 1080p transfer is a resounding success, a typically strong outing from Sony. It's much like that found on the previous season's Blu-ray, sourced from a native digital shoot and presenting with a clean, accurate image that offers sharp details and firm, consistent clarity. All of the usual components appear in good working order. Skin and clothing details are pleasantly complex in close-up and clearly defined at medium distance. Whether Jesse's stubble, Tulip's makeup, or Cassidy's tattoos, there's always an opportunity for the transfer to reveal finer character qualities as they appear on the screen. Environments throughout the season impress with natural, effortless complexity, whether smoky bars or bright, wide open exteriors. Colors are healthy and stable, full and accurate without presenting hotly saturated or, on the flip side, dull and washed out. Black levels hold steady and flesh tones appear accurate. Mild noise creeps in at times, mostly in lower light, but no other problematic source or encode issues are readily apparent. Fans should be very pleased with this Blu-ray presentation.

Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Preacher: Season Two's DTS-HD Master audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack delivers a satisfying, engaged listen across all fronts. Everything plays as-expected, with plenty of intensity, clarity, and activity. Music is appreciably wide and offers a pleasing envelopment around the listener. Instrumental clarity impresses across a somewhat broad range of styles. Action scenes are consistently large, sweeping, and feature plenty of intensive directionality and location-specific imaging as well. All elements present with accuracy and seamless placement and transition around the soundstage. Environmental supports are full and naturally enveloping, whether natural exterior ambience or populated din in various bars or other stops along the way. Dialogue is clear and refined with firm front-center placement and expert prioritization.

Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Preacher: Season Two contains only two brief extras, whereas season one featured a handful of featurettes and a number of deleted and extended scenes. Season two does, at least, ship with a UV digital copy.

• Raising the Stakes: Action on Set (1080p, 4:40): Cast and crew discuss the increase in violence for season two and the piece explores fight choreography with John Koyama, who returns from season one. This extra can be found on disc one.
• Gag Reel (1080p, 3:05): Funny moments from the shoot. This extra can be found on disc four.

Preacher: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Much like season one, Preacher's sophomore effort is not for everyone. It's strange, it's violent, it's fairly frivolous, but the cast and breezy scripts keep it all held together even when it seemingly wants to crumble under the many directions it seems to be pulling the audience, from road trip shenanigans to bizarre characters, from extreme violence to gut-busting comic antics. It has something for everyone with the stomach to take it in and an appreciation for a warped sense of humor. Preacher: Season Two's Blu-ray is disappointingly short on meaningful extra content, but video and audio are very good. Recommended.