So, Barbara from Blackpool, now Sophie Straw (Gemma Carterton) in swinging London, is having a moment. Last season saw her cracking the seemingly impenetrable world of 1960s television comedy, and this week’s episode finds her contemplating what comes next. Success, it turns out, is a complicated beast, especially for a woman in a man’s world. This isn’t just about punchlines and pratfalls; it’s about ambition, opportunity, and the ever-present risk of selling out.
Episode two brings the familiar gang back together, but things have shifted. They’re facing the aftershocks of Sophie’s sudden fame, each grappling with their individual paths. The group’s support network, once so solid, starts to show some cracks as jealousy and uncertainty bubble to the surface. This is where the show’s strength truly lies—in those small, human moments of awkwardness and resentment that underpin the broader narrative.
“Funny Woman,” in its second season, feels less like a fish-out-of-water story and more like a sharp-eyed examination of what happens after the fish finds its flippers. The initial novelty of Barbara’s transformation into Sophie has worn off, replaced by the nitty-gritty of maintaining a career. The show continues its exploration of 1960s London, not just as a backdrop, but as a character in itself, influencing the trajectory of these aspiring comedians.
Will Sophie compromise her comedic vision for broader appeal? Can the group withstand the pressures of their changing circumstances? The second episode sets the stage for what could be a more nuanced and potentially more interesting season.
Funny Woman airs Sundays at 8/7c on PBS.
