I returned to this show on the back of the strong first season, even though I thought that the conclusion came over like it suddenly realized it needed to position everyone for a second season. That produced a downside in that moment, but it hindsight perhaps it was worth it because the second season comes out with good pace and plenty of twists and turns in the plotting. Although the historical context is lost on me, I followed most of it without problem, and the writing seems to have had some small tweaks to make it punchier and maybe more accessible. For example Rath's reliance on morphine seems less front and centre than it was, and where episodes in S1 would often end on stylish but downbeat moments, S2 produces much more in the way of surprises and cliff-hangers. The stylistic extravagance also seems a little dialled back.
All minor changes, but the whole thing continues to work on the big picture but also in the smaller threads involving the specific characters. The short season also comes to a satisfying ending too - bringing the season to a close in a better way than the first did, but yet still leaving plenty for that third season to get into. Some of this feels a little forced and convenient (not all the twists and turns feel natural within the narrative), but in the majority it works well and produces another enjoyable season.