I just watched season 2, episode 15 - "Little Miss Dangerous" Really enjoyed this one. The soundtrack, the storyline (tense!) and the ending (shocking!!). Highly recommend this one.
I remember this episode vividly. I was in 8th grade, Vice was appointment TV, and I was pretty obsessed with the Sex Pistols. I'm not really sure if I had PiL's This Is What You Want... album yet but regardless, I did yell "Wait - is that JOHNNY?!?" out loud. That song together with the final scene made for some pretty intense viewing, for sure.
This is a favorite episode. I like this and the others where they didn't pull many punches. The subject matter wasn't pretty but "realistic" in the same sense. Season 2 IS Vice. Let's remember, once Season 3 comes around, the music, especially non-original, begins to disappear...it's gonna get depressing. Honestly I have no plans to watch Season 3 onward in the bluray set.
It just undergoes a lot of changes. Pastel look is gone. Most neon lighting, gone. It's much more serious and nihilistic. Less and less music as it goes on. In other words, those like myself who love the look, sound and vibe of the first two seasons find it hard to stomach it afterward. Also Seasons 1 and 2 have somewhat of a beginning-> end story arch with Calderone. Just a great viewing overall.
I agree. What slightly turned me off in seasons 3.5-5 was the darker nature of the show, when it was dark enough IMO. I think the production staff just wanted to do something different to maintain interest. Vice was still unique and well worth watching, but the style change seemed forced.
The show had already reached it's peak and it seems Mann knew that. One would assume he knew Dick Wolf was going to change things. It's probably my stupid little premise but it seems awfully fitting the very end of Season 2 has the Phil Collin's song with the repeating line "Turn it off if you want to..switch it off "
Season 2 - Episode 16 - "Florence Italy" Jimi Hendrix Experience - Up From The Skies (video not available on YouTube)
A prostitute is picked up in a Porsche, then suddenly dropped off in the street - dead! Now that is an attention getter. I liked this episode, especially the race scenes. Vroom!!!
Only one "popular music" track in episode 17 of season 2. This episode was... ok, I guess. I found the character of Danielle a bit annoying and unbelievable. This episode guest stars Leonard Cohen.