We’re treated to deliciously combative vitriol between women like the lead characters of Margaret Wells (Samantha Morton) and Lydia Quigley. Since women dominate the cast, female relationships are truly at the fore. Better yet, it’s grown more intersectional in its second foray as casting ranges from women of different income levels, ages, ethnicities, and sexualities.

Harlots is one of the most overtly feminist shows on television right now, and it certainly walks the walk. The show does pare back from its boisterous beginnings, but even more nuance could transform Harlots into a show that marches to a feminist heartbeat rather than one that wears its agenda on its satin sleeves. Not that I think a show has to take itself too seriously-but as the saying goes, less is more. However, as cathartic as it is to enjoy the fantasy of reclaiming our bodies from power-mad men and enablers such as this season’s prime villainess, Lydia Quigley (Lesley Manville), it's precisely the feeling of giddy wish-fulfillment that keeps Harlots relegated to entertainment and social commentary more than art. The result is a dazzling new stretch of eight episodes that had me hooked from start to finish, and I was particularly happy with the show's pivot away from human tragedies-like the sale of a daughter’s virginity to the highest bidder-towards intricate plots that start to tackle systemic misogyny from a deeper standpoint. With its tighter storyline, more cohesive soundtrack, and extra time spent on character development, Harlots settles into itself. Specifically, they examine the war that men wage on womens’ bodies. Within this luscious world, showrunners Moira Buffini and Alison Newman draw clear parallels between the atrocities that faced women then and that continue to face women now. The show’s claim to fame is the frank tackling of sex work in 1700s London, glammed up through beautiful costume and made doubly enticing through wily political drama. Meanwhile, Season 2 sleeps off the party and wakes up more focused than ever. It had something to prove-and succeeded admirably, if unevenly. Last year, Season 1 of Harlots drunkenly careened onto Hulu, resplendent in Georgian finery that hid dark and feminist subject matter beneath its layered skirts. Creators: Moira Buffini 👩🏼🇬🇧 and Alison Newman 👩🏼🇬🇧

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