Not many shows can survive without their lead protagonists front and center (the only successful one that comes to mind is “The Wire,” and even then it was only for a season), and though the producers of “Black Lagoon” should be commended for trying something so radical, the second season just isn’t the same without the Lagoon Company constantly in the mix. They’re always a part of the action, mind you – whether it’s hunting down a pair of vampire assassins or protecting a money counterfeiter from an army of bounty hunters – but the stories never truly revolve around them like they did in Season One. Granted, we get to meet some pretty interesting characters as a result of that, but by the time Rock and Revy head to Japan on a contract job for Hotel Moscow, you’ll be sorely missing Dutch and Benny, both of whom rarely appear throughout the season. The team-based antics may be gone, but the show is still packed with wall-to-wall action, and it even offers more complex storylines than before. Still, with rumors that a third season is in the works, here’s hoping the show gets back to its roots, because without the Lagoon Company to cheer on, it simply isn’t as fun.

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