Season 2 of Apple TV+’s The Big Door Prize is a great example of how a series may need a season to get its proper footing. In the first season of the comedy series, we met the residents of Deerfield, who were all introduced to the MORPHO machine that tells you your supposed life potential. These little blue cards caused all sorts of chaos in town and flipped the lives of many of the characters. By the end of the season, the machines asks everyone, “Are you ready for the next step?”.

That next step is quickly revealed as they figure out a way to get the MORPHO machine working again… visions. Which Gabrielle Dennis’ Cass quickly finds out could be a very grim sight. Chris O’Dowd’s Dusty also takes a look at his pixelated vision. Both of their interactions with the machine lead them to decide to go on a break, a story that we’ll follow throughout the season and quickly may get Dusty in trouble.

We also learn early on that Ally Maki’s Hana knows a lot more about the machine than she lets on. She starts to befriend characters like Damon Gupton’s Father Reuben and Cass. One relationship that I am happy to see more of as well is Djouliet Amara’s Trina and Sammy Fourlas’ Jacob. I enjoy their more realistic points of view about life, despite the MORPHO machine. But will that change now that they have seen their visions? 

One of my favorite aspects of The Big Door Prize is how they have been able to create a variety of characters with distinct personalities that work well together. From the Crystal R. Fox’s Izzy, Cass’ mom to the over the top “superstar” Giorgio, played by Josh Segarra (who I find hilarious and is my favorite of the series).

The Big Door Prize does a great job at being a comedy first with deeper themes and thought-invoking scenarios that could lead you down the rabbit hole of thinking about your own potential. I think it’s the light-hearted approach that could catch you off guard. The pacing is well done, giving the characters enough time to develop, which gives us a reason to care about them. In my opinion it’s a series that you need to give a chance going into the second season.

About The Big Door Prize

In The Big Door Prize, a small town is forever changed when a mysterious machine appears, promising to reveal everyone’s true potential. Soon residents start changing jobs, rethinking relationships, and questioning long-held beliefs — all in pursuit of a better future.

The series comes from creator David West Read.

Season 2 of The Big Door Prize is now streaming on Apple TV+. New episodes air on Wednesdays.