Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers for Season 2 of The Afterparty. Apple TV+’s The Afterparty has made a surprising return for a second season after initially being thought of as a miniseries. However, fans are questioning whether this new season can live up to the brilliance of the first. While Season 2 has its moments, like Grace’s Jane Austen-inspired retelling, it has been somewhat inconsistent, failing to elicit the expected laughs and chuckles. Thankfully, the fourth episode of the series not only delivers an absolute delight to watch, but it also solidifies its main character as the true star of the show.
Influenced by Wes Anderson’s films, particularly The Royal Tenenbaums, Hannah’s rendition of Grace and Edgar’s wedding is a standout moment of television this year. Fans of both The Afterparty and Anna Konkle’s career were likely expecting nothing less than brilliance. After her standout performance and equally exceptional writing alongside Maya Erskine in Hulu’s PEN15, Konkle is undoubtedly one of the most talented comedic voices of her generation. In The Afterparty, her portrayal of the wealthy family’s adopted daughter seamlessly fits into showrunner Christopher Miller’s created universe. Every scene with Hannah feels immediately more entertaining, thanks to her Wes Anderson-inspired charm.
From the start, it’s evident that Konkle’s character draws inspiration from Gwyneth Paltrow’s Margot Tenenbaum in Anderson’s film. Hannah’s constant mentions of being adopted mimic Royal Tenenbaum’s reminders about his daughter’s status. This masterful touch adds an extra layer of peculiarity to Grace’s already eccentric family. The Royal Tenenbaums follows the story of a wealthy family of brilliant individuals who, due to their distant father’s manipulation, develop their own quirks. Hannah, with her yurt, love for antiquated typewriters, and poisonous plants, perfectly blends into the film’s world and The Afterparty Season 2’s microcosm. Her background further accentuates the oddity of the family, consisting of a perpetually spaced-out mother (Isabel) and socially awkward, lizard-obsessed son.
Hannah stands out in Season 2 due to her seamless integration into the plot, unlike some other additions such as Grace’s Uncle Ulysses. While John Cho’s portrayal is visually striking, Ulysses feels out of place in Grace’s middle-class family. Although the character may be intended as a black sheep, there’s a difference between estranged and detached. Ulysses simply seems like a forced addition to parody a specific movie genre, rather than organically fitting into the story. The same can be said for Paul Walter Hauser’s Redditor-type character, Travis, who feels out of place and appears to have been included solely to facilitate a noir-style episode.
On the other hand, Hannah seamlessly fits into her family, offering unmistakable hints at the type of movie she will embody. From her physical resemblance to Margot Tenenbaum to her discussions about plants and adoption, it’s evident from the moment she appears on screen that she is a Wes Anderson character. Never before has The Afterparty so successfully captured the essence of a particular film style, not even in previous attempts like Brett’s Fast and Furious-inspired story or Indigo’s French New Wave interlude in Season 1. The Afterparty’s homage to Anderson’s work is exceptional, featuring symmetrical tableaus, nostalgic needle drops, and meticulous attention to detail. With Hannah directly referencing a Royal Tenenbaums character, the show deliberately targets Anderson’s 2001 film. Scenes like the spinning record and Margot’s reclusive nature in the bathtub are recreated with precision, and Hannah’s third-person narration aligns her with the Tenenbaum children, each with their own unfulfilled potential as precocious geniuses. However, the peak of the episode is Hannah’s affair with Grace, mirroring Margot’s forbidden love story with her adopted brother in The Royal Tenenbaums. Hannah’s possession of Margot’s spirit is a remarkable performance by Konkle, bringing both laughter and a touch of melancholy. The episode strikes the perfect balance between amusement and sincerity, surpassing the quality of previous episodes in Season 2.
With six more episodes and mind-movies yet to come in The Afterparty Season 2, there’s a possibility that one may surpass Konkle’s standout performance. However, the competition will be tough. Despite the season’s unevenness, the fourth episode stands out as a delightful watch thanks to Hannah’s Wes Anderson-inspired portrayal. She effortlessly integrates into the show’s universe, enhancing its overall entertainment value.
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Khushi Patel is a science fiction author who lives in Austin, Texas. She has published three novels, and her work has been praised for its originality and imagination. Khushi is a graduate of Rice University, and she has worked as a software engineer. She is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, and her books have been nominated for several awards.
