DUBAI: Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne are back in “Platonic,” and the first three episodes of season two prove that their non-romantic chemistry remains the show’s not-so-secret weapon. The pair’s easy banter and instinctive comic timing once again anchor a series that takes the madcap energy of season one and parlays it into a more nuanced, heartfelt exploration of adult friendship.
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The sophomore season of the Apple TV+ series opens with a major update in Will’s (Rogen) life — an engagement to a woman Sylvia (Byrne) doesn’t have a connection with. It’s an awkward adjustment for both, as their once effortless dynamic is suddenly subject to the gravitational pull of a third party. The early episodes mine this setup for all its comic potential — from misguided attempts at bonding to not-so-subtle turf wars over who knows Will best, and a bachelor party that goes sideways quick. The jokes are bigger, the hijinks just as outrageous, but there’s an added undercurrent of mature self-awareness that keeps the series from depending on laughs alone.
Byrne’s Sylvia continues to be one of TV’s most relatable depictions of mid-life contradictions. She’s a housewife and mother, but still clinging to the “cool girl” identity she once wore so easily. Her adventures with Will allow her to sidestep the mundanity of domestic life, even if they occasionally leave her with more to clean up — figuratively and literally. Byrne plays her with the perfect mix of warmth, femininity and clownery.
