Once there's a hype around a plot and a show, immedialty the second season will face an intense scrutiny from the public. And season 2 went above and beyond my expectations.

Stranger season 2 is more political, at least at first. And i absolutely love the fact that they tried to oppose Hwang Si Mok and Han Yeo Jin in their job position.
They could have setteled for a repetition of season 1 but took a huge risk instead by changing the pace of the drama (a little slower at the beginning), the theme (more political) and the dynamics of the characters.

Some people seemed bothered by the settling of the plot who might have been slower since the drama doesn't start off with a crime and an investigation but more a legal and political face-off.
In my perspective, everything made perfect sense. This plot allowed new characters to be introduced in the story much more smoothly because you get to know everyone before the question of who is suspect and who is not arrises.

The writing is honestly mindblowing. It kept me on the edge of my seat during every single episode, it made sense, was well paced, and for once, i actually genuinely WONDERED who the real culprit was. Amazing and compelx plot twists.

After 3 years, i fell in love again with the characters (so happy that a major part of the cast from S1 was back + new and interesting charcaters).
And there were fewer sweet HSM /HYJ moments since they were not officially in the same team but the chemistry is a 100% there and you can actually feel their bond and trust strengthen despite all the obstacles.

The acting is, as always, on point.

I can only recommend this show and the first season of it as well, hoping for a 3rd one to get closure on certain questions left unanswered.