Everyone Else Burns Season 2 Review: Praise Be to the Return of this Cult Hit Comedy!

Set in the close-knit community of an evangelical church in Manchester, Everyone Else Burns makes its triumphant return for a second season of belly laughs and thought-provoking fun. Drewing from writer Dillon Mapletoft’s own upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian environment, this cult sitcom charmed audiences with its first outing. While Season 1 centered around family man David Lewis’ ambitions and dreams for his children, the new episodes shift focus to relationships and matters of the heart.

As ever, comedy gold arises from probing the eccentricities of cult life through the day-to-day happenings of the Lewis family. Dad David remains a hapless leader, mom Fiona seeks purpose beyond motherhood, and rebellious daughter Rachel comes of age—now faced with the prospect of an arranged marriage.

Besides sharp wit and razor-thin social satire, what makes Everyone Else Burns such unmissable viewing is its deep care for humanizing even the most extreme of characters. Underneath the silly hijinks lies respect and understanding for the real people whose beliefs sit outside social norms. In a television landscape crowded with issue-driven stories, this cult comedy classic refreshes with empathy, laughs, and lightness of touch.

Season 2 promises more of the same surreal situations and loveable misfits that fueled the first success. New romances bud and power struggles ensue, and, as ever, the only doctrine preached is enjoyment. So join us in the pews for another serving of this side-splittingly unique sitcom. Praise be—the Holy laughter is back!

Laughing in the Pews

Everyone Else Burns kicked off to praise from critics with its debut season. Following the Lewis family’s humorous trials as members of a fundamentalist church on the edge of Manchester, viewers were hooked. Patriarch David vied to become an elder but often caused more chaos than control. Daughter Rachel dreamed big as a doctor despite cult rules. And son Aaron revealed a gift with pens, rendering biblically buff fellows.

Season two finds the congregation grappling with modern matters of love and matrimony. In a shakeup that causes no small stir, the church reintroduces arranged marriage to the flock. Now older and wiser yet still full of rebellious spirit, Rachel faces the prospect of being paired off without choice or care for her career course. Meanwhile, others, from Josh to Fiona, navigate new relationships and power shifts within the celibate ranks.

Under new leadership tweaks, it seems the pews will become as lively as the pulpit. Can Rachel outwit her assigned himbo beau Jeb and the shrill serpent poised as his partner? How will Fiona handle growing close to bereaved yet brawny brother Andrew? Tensions are high as the Lewis’ hilarious hijinks continue, all while keeping spiritual sincerity close to their comedy core. Through shining performances and witty writing, Everyone Else Burns prepares to enthrall once more with its second slaying sermon. The holy humor is back—and bolder than ever!

A Flock of Fan Favorites

Navigating the quirks of church life once more are Everyone Else Burns’ most beloved personalities. Chief among them is leader of the misfit pack, David Lewis. Played with perfect befuddlement by Simon Bird, this season sees Dad dig an ever deeper hole of hapless oversight. While intentions remain pure, his ineptitude causes no shortage of hijinks for family and congregation.

Another core character blossoming is Rachel Lewis. Amy James-Kelly brings spunk and spirit to her rebellious teenage role. Now facing an arranged union, Rachel shows grit, refusing to marry her assigned himbo, Jeb, played brilliantly by Paddy Young. His dumb jock act elicits endless laughter.

A new rival also arises in the form of mysterious churchgoer Heather, whose whispery ways mask troublemaker tendencies from Olivia Marcus. Paired with local lad Josh, their dynamic disruptions are sure to shake things up within the cult flock.

Meanwhile, Kadiff Kirwan continues to stir intrigue as bereaved brother Andrew, bearing buff biceps and brooding charm. How his pursuit of Fiona impacts the power dynamics at play promises rich comedic reward.

These figures feel so richly three-dimensional thanks to nuanced performances that lend extra laughs through relatable humanity. Everyone Else Burns proves another win for its whole hilarious ensemble.

Finding Laughter in Serious Subjects

While Everyone Else Burns never stray far from its comedic roots, Season 2 delves into some weightier themes. A major storyline centers around Rachel facing an arranged marriage—a realistic problem humorously dramatized. The show brings lightheartedness to serious issues through characters we care about.

Relationships take the spotlight as new romances emerge within conservative cult rules. The juxtaposition of carefree courtship and strict celibacy norms provides ripe laughs. We root for Rachel rejecting her unwanted groom and Fiona exploring romance outside forced standards.

Their struggles represent progressive values clashing against outdated controls. Yet somehow the tone stays optimistic, not accusatory. Rules get bent without vitriol toward beliefs different than our own.

Satire shines through the antics, subtly dismantling prejudices piece by ridiculous piece. Scenes showing LGBT son Aaron affirmed despite doctrines or Andrew respectfully ushering change inject important messages.

Striking comedy’s delicate balance and sensitive treatment buffers potentially offensive farce. Laughs derive from comical circumstances, not mocking real pain. Heart ensures hijinks feel inclusive, not alienating.

While conservatives face comedic scorn, core empathy peeks through for humanity on all sides of complex issues. Finding shared spirit beneath surface divisions seems Everyone Else Burn’s most meaningful lesson.

Scene-Stealing Talent and Sharp Wit

Top billing for the cast’s comedic chops goes to national treasure Simon Bird. Resurrecting hapless patriarch David with perfect befuddlement, each flub elicits belly laughs. Newcomer Paddy Young also dazzles in his debut as hapless groom Jeb, destined for meme immortality with one-liners delivered like “bless this cheese.”.

Across the cult fringe, moreover, unrivaled acting ability brings every quirky character to rich life. Amy James-Kelly shines with spunky spirit as rebel Rachel, while Kadiff Kirwan smolders with brooding charm as conflicted Andrew. Together, an ensemble for the ages, their nuanced work lends extra humor through relatable humanity.

Everyone Else’s quick pacing packs maximum mirth into every scene. Referencing eternity, the devout discuss dinosaurs: “How long did they live, a couple hundred years?”. Whizzing dialogue and absurd scenarios feel pulled from real cult cacophony. Subtle satire pierces with insightful irony, praising script, and impeccable timing.

Heart likewise ensures hijinks feel inclusive versus alienating. No target faces ridicule—conservatives emerge fools through folly, not malice, redeeming otherwise offensive farce. Finding shared spirit beneath superficial divisions seems season two’s most poignant achievement.

Finding Freshness in Familiar Forms

In a television landscape crowded with copycats, Everyone Else Burns stands apart with its bold creativity. While embracing classic sitcom structure, writer Dillon Mapletoft infuses renewed relevance through his cult community of quirks.

With laugh-out-loud lines delivered by a stellar ensemble in every escapade, the series outclasses most retro-style peers. Subtle yet impactful social critiques give cause for reflection where others fallback on formulas.

Not all experiments prosper, of course. One storyline saw passionless preacher Maude as a weak mimicry of stock character tropes. But singular missteps cannot discount continual triumph. More often than not, intuitive empathy for its indoctrinated characters earns Everyone Else Burns its emotional intelligence award.

By piercing prejudices with piercing wit and upholding uncommon customs to comedic scrutiny, the show reboots a looking glass onto today’s divisive debates. Scripts feel lively, not lazy, reenergizing tired forms from within with visions all their own. In reigniting relevance so refreshingly, Everyone Else Burns’ holy humor has blessed believers and cynics alike.

Final Praise for Everyone Else Burns

In the end, Everyone Else Burns stands as one of television’s most inventive comedies in recent memory. While minor missteps arise, season two overall triumphs in tickling funny bones and provoking thought. Through riotous scenarios and deeply human characters, it balances levity with nuanced looks at serious societal rifts.

Heartfelt writing and phenomenal performances from Simon Bird and company make escapades in the church cult a pure delight. Even when pushing boundaries of sensitivities, empathy ensures humor feels inclusive, not alienating. Subversive commentary pierces through punchlines without preaching.

For those seeking sheer laughter or insightful entertainment, Everyone Else Burns satisfies. In revitalizing vintage forms with vision, wit, and warmth, it has saved both souls and the sitcom genre. While God’s mandate remains uncertain, this series’ comedic ministry will live on in generations of happy viewers.

If you’ve yet to experience the holy hilarity for yourself, make time to join the cult. Two seasons in, Everyone Else Burns proves one of small screen’s most brilliant blessings. Praise be!