Thrillers that inject humor often disappoint me when they veer into darker territory. It can work, but the shift in tone sometimes feels off. The second season of this Portuguese thriller is notably more serious than the first. But is that a good thing, or will fans miss the fun vibe of season one?
Opening scene: In the Azores, Uncle Joe (Pepe Rapazote) rushes inside to catch the news about the 9/11 attacks on TV. His reaction? A simple, “Oh, boy.”
Important details: Joe discovers that his nephew Eduardo (Jose Condesa) and his friend Carlinos (Andre Reitan) are stowaways on a cargo ship heading to New York. The Coast Guard stops all ships entering the harbor, forcing the crew to jettison contraband. In the chaos, Eduardo jumps overboard and, unfortunately, he and Carlinos wind up in an immigration detention center in New Jersey.
Things go sideways quickly; a fellow inmate with whom Carlinos had a relationship is killed during a fight. Before long, both are set to be deported back to Portugal. Upon returning to his family home in Rabo des Piexes, Eduardo finds it’s been flattened.
Meanwhile, a hand is uncovered on Joe’s property, leading to the discovery of Arruda (Albano Geronimo) and two other bodies. Although Joe is questioned by the police, they have no evidence linking him to the crime.
Simultaneously, Silvia (Helena Caldeira) is stuck in a dead-end job, haunted by the memory of her late father, Arruda, and grappling with her own pregnancy. Out of the blue, she hears from Arruda’s brother, Orlando (José Raposo), who offers to handle the criminal investigation regarding her father—an offer she hasn’t had in over a decade.
Before this, Orlando and his associates confront Joe at his home. Orlando is looking to settle the score for Arruda’s death. A twist emerges when Joe ends up repaying Orlando for the cocaine he had kept for Eduardo, originally meant for sale alongside Carlinos, Silvia, and Rafael (Rodrigo Tomás). Eduardo joins Joe and some muscle to retrieve the cocaine from Orlando’s hideout, where he sees Silvia and realizes she’s crucial to reclaiming it.
What comes to mind? The first season prompted comparisons to Breaking Bad and Outer Banks, and those themes seem to persist in the second season.
Our perspective: Augusto Fraga has transformed The Turn of the Tide from a light-hearted tale about four friends selling washed-up cocaine to a tense thriller. The second season remains serious but still hints at the irreverence of the first. It’s hard to judge what’s better, really.
Initially, the friends united against Arruda, who tried to take a cut, and the hidden cartel. The opening episode of season two seems bleak for Eduardo, wrestling with guilt for dragging the naïve Carlinos into his chaos.
Now, the situation is graver for everyone; the stakes have been raised. Silvia, now in charge of her father’s operation, confidently tells Eduardo she won’t help him with selling cocaine, indicating her newfound power. It’s intriguing to consider how this shift will affect her character.
I’m also curious about how they’ll draw Carlinos and Rafael back into the fray. As tensions simmer, dangerous cartels are on their trail, especially in gripping scenes set in Colombia, and a persistent specter looms in Inspector Frias (María João Bastos), along with potential cocaine sources around.
Yet, I can’t help but question if this crew can genuinely transition into ruthless kingpins. It would be a pleasant surprise if Eduardo, Silvia, and their circle can match the mercilessness of their attackers.
Gender and skin: The first episode had nothing noteworthy.
Final scene: Silvia and Eduardo are taken aback to see Rafael on TV, believing him to be dead.
Sleeper Star: Pêpê Rapazote shines as Joe, switching between English and a southern accent, which adds a humorous layer.
Memorable line: The season introduces a voice that seems like Arruda’s, which feels somewhat disconnected from the darker events unfolding.
Our verdict: Let’s give it a chance. Although we have our doubts, it seems something serious is brewing. The Turn of the Tide might just pull it off eventually, even if it takes a few gripping episodes to get there.
