season 2. It was great to see what the actor brought from one role to the other. Peter and The Recruit's Owen Hendricks have a few similarities, but the latter showcases Centineo's action prowess.

One of my biggest problems with the age of streaming is the fact that most TV shows take a long time between seasons, and more times than I would like, series have returned with fewer episodes for their new installments. That has been the case for HBO's House of the Dragon, Netflix's Squid Game, and other hit shows. The Recruit season 2 follows the same pattern. Instead of having eight episodes like season 1, the second season only features six. However, I was surprised by how well they worked, and the story never feels rushed or incomplete; it's always exciting.

The Recruit Season 2 Brings A Change Of Scenery

The Netflix Series' Globe-Trotting Status Remains An Exciting Element

One of my favorite aspects of The Recruit season 1 was how the show's story took Owen to exciting locations. Prague, Vienna, and more were on the menu, making the spy story feel expansive, as it should. Despite only having six episodes this time around, the Netflix series does not lose its DNA. Centineo returns as the rookie CIA lawyer who is way over his head once again, having to travel to multiple countries to get work done. However, there are two main locations this time around.

South Korea brings along new power dynamics, major characters, and even connections to Owen's past.

The CIA's headquarters, as Owen's bosses assess his progress, and South Korea, where the bulk of the action happens, play pivotal roles in season 2. I loved how much of the latter we get to explore in the new season. South Korea brings along new power dynamics, major characters, and even connections to Owen's past. Coming with the new location is Teo Yoo's Jang Kyu. A series regular in season 2, Yoo's character is undeniably my favorite after Owen this time around. When the two are together, magic happens onscreen.

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Yoo makes Jang Kyu a complex character, and his years of experience in the intelligence business offer a nice contrast. Owen is quite new to the job, getting into a series of messes that somehow end up working out in his favor. South Korea and other locations used in season 2 couple well with the show's top-notch cinematography. There are stunning visuals throughout the season and action set pieces pack every new episode with plenty of thrilling moments that put Owen Hendricks through a gauntlet in his dangerous new mission.

Noah Centineo Shows His Leading Man Charm In Spades

The Recruit Can Run For Many More Seasons

The main reason The Recruit works as well as it does is because of the show's lead star. Noah Centineo is just endlessly charismatic as Owen. In season 1, the character was green, new to the CIA and the dangers of his profession. In season 2, Owen is a much more capable character, even though he is still a lawyer, not a traditional action hero in the vein of Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt or the iconic James Bond. Still, Owen gets in on the action it's exciting to watch him do so.

The Recruit season 2 does a great job of exploring the character's past and the connections he has with the people in his life.

Besides his abilities on the field, Owen also has a lot of growth in another department. The Recruit season 2 does a great job of exploring the character's past and the connections he has with the people in his life. I would say Owen ends the season in a much better place, not only at work, but in of where his head is at. The character learns how to be the best version of himself throughout the season, and there are plenty of fun and thrilling moments to accompany that personal growth.

Despite only having six episodes, The Recruit season 2 works as one giant thrill ride. I never thought the show was rushing through events, as season 1 also succeeded with a faster pace than other spy shows like Michael Fassbender's The Agency. While I would have liked five to ten more minutes to see a couple of things in the season finale, the core story was resolved quite nicely. Although there is not a direct tease of where a possible season 3 could go, the door is wide open for Centineo's Owen to return for many more seasons.

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Your Rating

The Recruit
Release Date
2022 - 2025-00-00
Network
Netflix
Directors
Doug Liman
  • Headshot of Noah Centineo
    Noah Centineo
    Owen Hendricks
  • Headshot Of Colton Dunn
    Colton Dunn
    Lester Kitchens

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Pros & Cons
  • New characters and locations enhance the show
  • Noah Centineo is as charming as ever as Owen Hendricks
  • Season 2's story is exciting and offers plenty of action