Dave Season 2 Review: Raw and Real

Looking for the latest Dave season 2 review? Outrageous and thought-provoking, yet heartfelt and genuine. That’s how I’d describe the latest FXX comedy show about a white rapper, Lil Dicky, trying to succeed in the music industry. After binge-watching season 1 of Dave, I had high hopes for season 2.

However, I did have some doubts in my mind – will it deliver the same level of humor combined with the realities of life, or will it plunge into an epic fail as many shows do? So here’s my raw and honest Dave season 2 review.

Quick Recap

Dave Burd is a rapper with big dreams living in LA with his best friend Mike, a day trader at the show’s beginning (Andrew Santino). Elz, his childhood friend, provides him with beats and studio sessions, but it isn’t until Dave meets an exuberant fellow budding rapper nicknamed GaTa (played by himself) that his career takes off.

Penis and fart jokes set aside, we witness each character developing well beyond their original archetypes. I was especially surprised by the male characters of this show – each of them possesses an unexpected vulnerability that’s uncommon to witness in popular tv shows. Namely, this show introduces you to some wacky characters, which you start caring for as the series continues to season 2.

Now that’s what I call fantastic.

Assuming you watched Dave season 1 already, let’s dive deeper into season 2. Warning, this review might contain some spoilers.

Dave Season 2 Review Recap

What sets season 1 of Dave apart from season 2? The latter is more serious in tone. Not a lot, but we get a deeper glimpse into each character’s psyche, their inner fears, regrets, dreams, and hopes.

Of course, the filthy penis and poop jokes are still there, as well as a bizarre scene of Lil Dicky smearing peanut butter on Benny Blanco’s butt hole hair. No, I’m not joking; it gets a bit graphic. But, for fans of Dave season 1, this will likely be a delight.

Moreover, the bizarre scene with Dave and Benny is preceded by more funny business – without spoiling too much, it involves a lot of weed, nudity, and male bonding.

Mature Themes

That being said, in season 2 of Dave, the comedy show departs from the lighthearted but endearing first season to explore more mature themes like jealousy, greed, regret, and heartbreak. When season 2 starts, Lil Dicky’s torn between pursuing his plan to stardom and the nagging suspicion that this path is not meant for him.

From the first episode, we’re made clear that Dave lost touch with his friends and mostly his inner voice, as he becomes obsessed with making his perfect, number-one, critically acclaimed debut album, Penith. Unfortunately, he cannot write, and with an album release deadline nearing, he becomes desperate.

Dave Season 2 Review: The Good

There are many things I enjoyed while binge-watching this show. Keep in mind, the Dave season 2 release happened on Wednesday, June 16, so I had plenty of time to gather my thoughts and write an honest review of the comedy hit. So let’s begin with the good stuff.

First of all, stagnancy is a challenging subject to represent on television. However, “Dave” seamlessly shifts its stories to show how the protagonist’s sole focus is an indulgence that not everyone can share. This becomes a problem for not only Dave but the people around him.

A Rocky Friendship

Dave’s arrogance and insecurities continue to push people close to him away, such as Mike, whose birthday he forgets. Nevertheless, I believe Dave’s friendship with GaTa takes center stage in season 2. I especially loved episode 10, when GaTa is pushed to a breaking point where he reveals his true feelings about their friendship and his thoughts about Dave in general after a series of interconnected issues.
For instance, GaTa utters:

“You know what breaks my fucking heart? That you can’t even be happy without people telling you they give a fuck about you. And I’m the crazy one?”

Raw and honest as usual, we finally see GaTa speak up about Lil Dicky exploiting him as his hype man.

Another Star is Born

On that note, let me just acknowledge the fact that GaTa’s performance in season 2 blew me away. If you finished the show or made it to episode 5, you know exactly what I’m talking about. If you don’t, watch that episode now.

Spoiler alert: GaTa finds himself wandering Los Angeles late at night without his car and without a way to charge his phone. Yeah, this Dave season 2 review reveals plenty, but I’ll keep some scenes a mystery until you watch them yourself.

By the way, here’s a fun fact for you: GaTa or Davionte Ganter is Burd’s real-life hype man (aka the crucial figure in rap entrusted with igniting a crowd’s frenzy). In fact, he’s been performing with Lil Dicky (dubbed as LD) since after the viral song “Ex-Boyfriend” was released in 2013.

According to the show’s co-creator, Jeff Schaffer:

“The relationship between the two of them, it just couldn’t be faked.”

It looks like all of us were surprised by the rising star’s performance in the show. Here’s what Ganter himself had to say about his role in season 2 of Dave in a video chat from his Koreatown apartment:

“I always knew I could make people laugh, but I’m not gonna lie – I never thought I’d be able to make people cry.”

Burd shares a similar opinion:

“The guy literally has never acted before, never taken an acting lesson, and now people are talking about him like he should win the Emmy for best supporting actor.”

Dave Season 2 Review Spotlight: Enlightened Dave

In this whole Dave season 2 review, I believe episode 9 is one of the best things that happened in the entire show. The episode “Enlightened Dave” follows the protagonist on a quest to Rick Rubin’s famed recording studio in order to break free from his creativity block. He eventually comes face to face with his biggest enemy: his own ego.

More spoilers: Instead of jumping into recording, LD goes through various exercises that force him to look inward. After burying his greatest fears, Dave takes a dip in a floating tub and learns he is the one who has been holding him back. If you’re not high while watching this episode, you’ll definitely feel like you are. Also, there are plenty of funny references to Kanye West.

The producers did a fantastic job putting the scene of Dave’s awakening together – it feels like you’re inside of the main character’s head. Overall, this was my favorite episode out of the entire season. Of course, the finale was show-stopping too, but “Enlightened Dave” really nailed it in terms of visuals and production.

Also, it reminds us of one crucial thing: To solve any issue that we encounter in our lives, we need to look inward for the answers, not outside of us.

Dave Season 2 Review: The Not So Good

Although mostly hilarious and lighthearted, I found some scenes from this season challenging to watch. For example, in episode 3 (The Observer), Benny Blanco’s and Dave’s friendship blossoms in unexpected and bizarre ways, leading them to question sexuality, race, privilege, and skin issues.

Now, I do appreciate a sprinkle of craziness from time to time. But, I believe this episode took it too far. Don’t believe me? Check it out for yourself.

Also, I wasn’t a big fan of Doja Cat’s appearance in episode 6 (Somebody Date Me). Honestly, I like her music, and I find myself listening to some of her songs repeatedly. However, I felt as if the premise of that episode fell flat by the end.

On that note, Kendall Jenner’s appearance was uncalled for, and it didn’t serve a purpose other than the show presenting another celebrity guest star.

The Verdict

Dave Season 2 demonstrated Burd and Jeff Schaffer’s ability to balance bold innovation and emotional comedy laughter. The show’s depiction of Dave’s climb into the celebrity world is hilarious and sometimes gut-wrenching.

I loved how the characters are outrageous yet so relatable at times.

All in all, Dave season 2 ended on August 11, 2021, after ten episodes. What about the Dave season 3 release date? Well, it’s not confirmed yet whether or not the comedy will return again. Nevertheless, I’m hopeful it will, because there’s potential for more awesomeness.