I'm writing this review after having watched the entire first season, and just finished watching the 6th out of 8 episodes in the second season. The only thing I can say is: the show Writers must really HATE the viewers. And, I'm surprised anyone would put his name on the script: I believe the Writers' Guild uses "Alan B. Smithee" for writing credits that the writer wants to disavow. "Smithee" name should be all over S2 scripts.
There is no other explanation for a show so full of half-starts, unresolved episodes, and unfulfilled promises. It's like an anthology series with episodes that don't give the viewer an ending for each episode.
I understand that the writers, in online interviews, have asked the viewers to "hold on" and wait for the payoff--but, with just two episodes left in S2, I can't imagine any satisfying way to tie together the various threads that have been floated throughout this season.
I began watching this series based on the pedigree of Hugh Howey, who provided the source material--and who wrote the very excellent books the "Silo" series is based on.
But "Beacon 23" is no "Silo." I have to agree with other reviews that point out that Stephan James is not the Leading Man this series needs. In fact, I'm not sure if anyone could rise above and save such poor plotting and writing.
That said, there are some flashes of interesting performances--like Ellen Wong in the recent two-parter; but I have no idea if we'll see her character, "Iris" again. Which is emblematic of the show itself: it's like the actors/characters are running away from an unfulfilling experience. The disappearance of Lena Headey in S2 is also a slap in the face, since many viewers (me included) decided to watch "Beacon 23" because we expected to see her always watchable acting; and see what new character she would bring to life. But, it appears Ms. Headey has taken the money, and run.
I'll hang-on for the final two episodes, but it's very doubtful that I'll return for more punishment in the future. Assuming MGM+ decides the series gets a third time at bat.
UPDATE: I have now watched the final two episodes, and as I expected they are terrible. Unsatisfying on both an intellectual and emotional level.
The individual character storylines mostly went unresolved, and the overall thematic narrative, of the artifact, is just as mysterious as in the first episode of the first season.
Why did we spend 16 episodes watching this mess? I don't know...but I will NOT be watching any more; assuming someone is foolish enough to greenlight a third season of...The Worst Sci-Fi Series in the past 50 years!
