What I’m Watching: Sneaky Pete (Season Premiere)

Sneaky Pete: Season 2, Episode 1 “The Sinister Hotel Room Mystery” (B+)

I was a huge fan of this show’s first season and I’m so glad to see that it’s back for a second, and just in time for my birthday along with my actual favorite streaming show, “Jessica Jones,” which premiered its second season a day earlier. Giovanni Ribisi is a very underrated actor, and he’s so superb as Pete (which I’ll continue to refer to him as in my reviews because it’s easiest) on this show, proving his worth immediately by acting casual and calling Audrey when he realizes that he’s in serious trouble, which prompted her to recommend that he run. It was great to see Ethan Embry as the real Pete again, and he didn’t seem too thrilled that his identity thief was asking questions about his past when he consistently indicated no interest when they were cellmates. Learning just one piece of information – that his mother died three years ago – was helpful but unfortunate, and now he’s going to have to find a way to keep those he newly cares about safe after Rory Culkin’s poor pickpocket got himself stabbed so that a point could be proven about how serious Pete needs to take them. Pete’s best moment, of course, was showing up to save the day when Julia was being blackmailed to get back the drug money in the backpack, slapping her when he stormed in and creating such a scene of chaos that they didn’t know what to do with themselves. Carly’s own criminal lifestyle is taking off in a disconcerting way, and Audrey’s desire to confess her sins isn’t good for anyone.