First of all, yes – there will be spoilers in this ‘review’ of Found: Season 2 – Episode 1 (more like a reaction post). Again, spoilers ahead, so please catch up before reading!

Found: Season 2 begins right where the first season left off, so the transition is smooth.

What I enjoyed most (judge your mama):

• The gentle jingling of Trent pulling out handcuffs for Gabi. I admit, I process various aspects of this show as if it’s an erotic thriller, and it is an automatic process; I can’t help it. I’m aware a lot of people find Trent bland, but I see a tall, good-looking actor, and I appreciate the additional eye candy. I’m gonna stop there and keep it M-PG.
• Margaret’s smackdowns of Gabi. Her anger was completely understandable, and Gabi needed to give her space to lash out a bit instead of self-flagellating so much, particularly at the hospital; she needed to let Margaret get her verbal licks in. Sometimes, people have to vent their frustrations and issues at you in order to begin to get over them. Don’t deprive her of getting it out of her system, Gabi! The longer she holds it in, the longer it lasts. “You owe her mother…” Whoo, I felt that. Margaret the mom was mad.
• Margaret’s disgust with Gabi’s…flattering descriptions of Sir. My goodness, I could not stop laughing. Gabi dead-panned, “He’s brilliant, well-studied, and his eyes are like liquid pools resembling freshly poured molasses*…” (*exaggeration). By the time Gabi mentioned the shaving, I was in stitches over Margaret’s face. Kelli Williams played it beautifully. It was if Margaret was just realizing that Gabi was not only a kidnapper, but kinky. Is she? I don’t know, but considering her boots game last season, and the way Trent seems to want to drink her bath water… 🤔
• The introduction of Lacey’s mom in present day at M&A. I have never seen someone give off such strong angelcore vibes. She radiated warmth, forgiveness, love. I wanted a hug from her! “Lacey is a light,” Gabi said at the press briefing, and she obviously got it from her mama.
• Gabi insisting she wasn’t in the habit of manipulating Trent as she manipulated him more. And then more! 😆 Honestly, when does she not manipulate Trent? She knows that guy is so sprung on her and lets her do damned near anything she asks for. Be so for real, Gabi. Which brings me to my other notes…

OTHER NOTES:

Gabi: Her mind is really cracking. More, I should say. That scene with her in the basement was pretty illuminating, the content of her imaginary conversation with Sir fascinating for a number of reasons, and as a dark romance girlie, I appreciate being fed. I know there’s a limit to where they can go with this, but I’ll take what I can get! I’m not exactly ‘shipping’ them, but the dynamic is darkly compelling. 

It’s also interesting how much Sir succeeded in convincing Gabi that she needs him. She did a great job putting things together all by herself this episode and is clearly more than capable of doing her work without his assistance, but he’s in her head; he successfully planted himself in her (no, you get your mind out of the gutter). She never really held the reins; he has always been able to pull her strings. Gabi Mosely is psychologically anchored to her final father figure.

Trent: Poor softie Trent. He doesn’t seem to have a lot of fans based on the discourse at the usual forum suspects, but I personally have a soft spot for him. He seems so decent, and he has such heart eyes for Gabi, it’s adorable. I don’t know what Gabi did to him their one and only hookup night, but that guy is SPRUNG. Gabi is clearly unstable, and he’s like…More, please. Maybe he’s one of those guys who are drawn to messy women.

Dhan: He was so annoying at the beginning of season one, but what a G. He was one of my favorites by the end of the first season and still is. He is absolutely key to the group staying together. 

Sir: Sigh. More of his depravity and insanity has been revealed and yet…MPG is so hot, I can’t not be into his vibe. He’s had my attention since Pitch; the bearded, broad-shouldered stocky look just works for him, especially when paired with intensity of emotion and/or focused attention. And his eyes are like pools of molasses…

Margaret: It appears Margaret is considering clearing the cobwebs? Her interaction with Zeke’s dad…

Zeke: Apparently didn’t mind his resignation letter got deleted. And recovers from being poisoned like you wouldn’t believe.

Lacey: Got some redemption! It wasn’t just one traumatizing day, that psycho terrified her on many nights! She had a monster staring at her through her window regularly as a child. Yikes.

In conclusion, I enjoyed the return of the show. I’ve been feenin’ for more episodes since it ended, so you won’t find much criticism here, especially since they’re working with the same pieces, but the thrill is elevated with Sir’s escape.

And yes, Sir is a complete psycho. A sexy one, but what an entertaining lunatic and I look forward to his future shenanigans; in fact, I’m looking forward to seeing everyone’s lives get opened up more (Sir’s siblings, the backstories of the M&A associates fleshed out further, etc.). 

While I’m happy to just sit back and enjoy the ride, I do hope we get a flashback to how and why Gabi and Trent hooked up. What was her love life like in general over the years? When did she first feel safe enough to date anyone? Are previous boyfriends (if any) still alive? ‘Cause it has been implied Sir is, in fact, a killer, despite his claims otherwise. Even if it wasn’t him who killed his mom, he could’ve killed Zeke and Margaret. He would do anything to force Gabi back to him. 

Speaking of which, I think Gabi will offer herself up in exchange for Lacey at some point. Where it’ll go from there, I’m here with my popcorn to see.

P.S. It’s interesting how easily viewers forgot about Native Son; several people misremembered the Dot and the Kangaroo book as the one in the trunk of the car and the one Gabi was looking through to put clues together. I’m somewhat obsessed with the show and pay pretty close attention, but still — it seemed the book barely registered with most folks (who post on forums).

Anyway, I’m super bummed I can’t find enough people to digest this show with, so here I am.

These are just my personal thoughts and feelings about Found: Season 2 Episode 1: Missing While Bait.  

Edited to add: thoughts on Season 2 Episode 2.