The Strain: The Complete Second Season

Based on a trilogy of novels by visionary director Guillermo del Toro and writer Chuck Hogan, this FX series serves up a contemporary vampire tale that began with a Center for Disease Control (CDC) investigation of a mysterious plague that turned out to represent the plan of an ancient bloodsucker called the Master who aimed to create an army of “strigoi” (i.e., vampires). Eventually, CDC honcho Eph (Corey Stoll), whose wife Kelly (Natalie Brown) had become infected, joined forces with Setrakian (David Bradley), an elderly vampire hunter, along with others committed to their cause, to confront the Master and his many powerful supporters. This second season focuses on efforts made by both sides to acquire a mystical book that could be the key to victory, and on Eph's determination to prevent his young son (now played by Max Charles) from falling into Kelly's hands. The Strain alternates between imaginative, poetic horror sequences (such as the flashback to Setrakian's childhood that opens the season) and pedestrian expository scenes, and the two elements don't completely coalesce. Nor is the series particularly scary: the most frightening sight is arguably Stoll's hairpiece, which he will finally lose after Eph shaves his head to go undercover. While it hardly approaches the intensity of The Walking Dead, the narrative arc here does offer some surprises, including an important character being killed off. Presenting all 13 episodes from the 2015 second season, extras include an episode commentary, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a gag reel. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)