2x03 Better Angels

6.5/10. Something is still missing this season, and it's hard to put my finger on. Something's just a little less compelling this time around, I can't decide whether it's Peggy, Jarvis, and Howard's supporting cast, or the acting being a little more exaggerated, or the mystery being a bit less intriguing, but either way there's not as much punch in Season 2 so far.

The bright spots were threefold. First, the comedy is still a highlight, and the comedic timing shared by Hayley Atwell, James D'Arcy, and Dominic Cooper is always impeccable. From Peggy and Jarvis scooting out of a shot, to Peggy taunting Howard like a dog with his drink, to Howard and Jarvis playing professor, there's a lightness and humor the main trio's interactions that always put a smile on my face.

The second is the action and espionage sequences. Peggy skulking around the Arena Club (which has a name now) after Howard's rouse was a fun set piece that showcased Peggy's abilities as a spook, and had a bit of humor as well. Similarly, Peggy's run in with Mr. Hunt was a fun little sequence that built of her punching bag frustrations earlier in the scenes.

The third, and most surprising is Jack Thompson's storyline. The show isn't exactly subtle about setting up a moral dilemma for him, where he's drawn to be the company man and earn praise but also feels guilt about not doing the right thing. But Peggy's accusation that it's in his nature to ignore ugly truths and expect praise, and his clear hurt from it sets up an interesting emotional obstacle for him, and mixing him up with the arena club is a nice way to push that idea forward.

But it wasn't all roses in "Better Angels". The Wilkes romance continues to feel somewhat forced. Hayley Atwell, pro that she is, is doing everything she can to sell the pair's connection, but there's a lack of chemistry between her and the less-adept Reggie Austin, and the on-the-nose writing does neither of them any favors in the effort. Similarly, Whitney Frost does a little too much scenery chewing for my tastes. Her fake crying for her husband was fairly broad, and there's just not much of a twist to her. Even the end game with her director seemed contrived, with his scumbag quality seemingly dropped in out of nowhere to make what happens more palatable. Even the Arena Club business feels more convoluted that last season's mystery.

There was still a decent amount to enjoy here, but the weaker elements of the season, namely the mystery, the bad guy, and the love interest, detract from the fun and talent of the main three, and even an unexpectedly interesting turn from Agent Thompson can't counterbalance it.