Season 2: The Netflix Money Pit
So, Netflix just dropped Season 2 a couple of weeks ago, and being a die-hard fan of Season 1, I felt compelled to consume it in one glorious sitting. One binge session later, I can confirm: I have a serious problem, and it involves streaming marathons.
As expected, Season 2 opens with the same absurdity we’ve come to love. The cast—exaggerated. The jokes—over-the-top. I was absolutely here for it. But, alas, as the season rolled on, I noticed a decline in quality sharp enough to make me question my life choices. Blame Netflix’s corporate overlords for this misstep.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead
In case you haven’t watched the first two seasons, consider this your spoiler alert; feel free to scroll looking for cat videos or just continue reading, but remember—once you see this, you can’t unsee it.
Here’s my conspiracy theory: Season 1 was an indie gem financed by its creator, Shane Gillis, unlike anything you’d find in a typical Netflix lineup. With its six quick, gut-busting episodes, it laid the groundwork for success. Then, like a kid with a shiny new toy, Netflix tossed money at Gillis and demanded he double the episode count to twelve—because, you know, streaming minutes equal more profit. Good old corporate logic at work!
A Stretch Too Far
What followed can only be described as a prolonged exercise in financial padding and creative stretch marks. One can’t help but draw parallels to the same tragedy witnessed in the “Squid Game”—when success meets artistic dilution. By the time Thomas Hayden Church sauntered in as Shane’s wealthy dad, Phil, things descended from amusing chaos to bland mediocrity. Honestly, Phil buying a tire company should have been a punchline, but instead, it felt like the punchline was on us.
And the cameos? Oh, the cameos! I mean, sure, Jon Lovitz and Vince Vaughn are names that might make your mom smile, but let’s face it—Tires was supposed to embody working-class humor, not a Hollywood charity event for washed-up stars. It’s like inviting your polite great-aunt to a kegger; it’s just awkward.
What on Earth Happened?
As for Church himself? He couldn’t even remotely pass as Shane’s dad. Maybe the character is based on some deep-seated familial trauma Gillis carries, but the vibes were off. Was anyone else offended that they dragged Ron White onto the show as NASCAR driver Ron Dobbins? Watching that scene felt like getting a cactus wedged in your side—unpleasant and utterly unfunny.
Adding to the circus, Shane’s character morphed into an unholy simp—a mega cringe-fest. There’s a girl who is essentially his doppelgänger, and instead of a charming exchange, we get a sitcom-worthy awkwardness that makes you want to hit pause and pretend it never happened. Can we not have one decent encounter? No? Okay, cool.
The Season Finale Fizzle
Then came the grand finale, where Shane hugs Cal, gushes about love, and hands over a car like it’s a parting gift from a game show because what’s more relatable than a heartfelt hug? I half-expected an emotional montage of their greatest moments together. Maybe it’s safe to assume this was their way of saying, “Well, it’s been real; we might not come back for a third season, so let’s make this awkward.”
Bright Spots in a Cloudy Season
But wait, all is not hopeless! Standouts like Steve Gerben as Will and Stavros Halkias, who absolutely needs his own spin-off, shine like rare gems amidst a sea of mediocrity. Kudos to Kilah Fox, who, bless her heart, tried to keep things lively in the quagmire of scripted melancholy.
The Final Verdict: Worth a Watch?
Despite this fumble in the latter half, TIRES Season 2 is still a worthy watch. It’s refreshing in an era where puns might be federal offenses. Sure, the back half drags like molasses thanks to Netflix’s insatiable craving for viewing minutes, but the first few episodes deliver enough laughs to justify the binge-watching escapade. So, grab your snacks and face the absurdity—after all, we survived 2020. 9/10, because life is too short not to appreciate at least a portion of the ride.
