The Terror S1 shone when allowed its characters to live and breath within the unique historical confines of their environment. The series made its mark in exploring the depths of humanity as it tries to navigate through grief, anger, desperation, betrayal, loneliness; all the while yearning to survive at all costs.
The titular "terror" itself shouldn't be mistaken for something in physical form, but is represented through the unknown and the
unseen. It is this unspoken terror that thematically defines this series.
By now, viewers have come to understand and expect all of these things. But it didn't seem like the writers for S2 fully understood the assignment. S2 leaned too heavily into the folklore and mythology of the yurei/bakemono. It seems absurd to think about, but after having finished 10 episodes, it felt like the central backdrop of the Japanese internment camp was used as a bait and switch in order to promote the Yuko storyline. Because truth be told, the Yuko storyline could have been told from any time period/era/backdrop. It didn't need the WW2 Japanese internment camp. But then it wouldn't be "The Terror".
In the end, we have a S2 that looks like and feels like a classic "The Terror" season, but doesn't have enough substance to be one. The story was compelling and engaging whenever we get to see the Nakayama family endure through the WW2 hardships; but instantly lost its charm whenever the Yuko storyline appeared on screen. It's a shame because these are characters that you end up rooting and caring for; but it just felt like their story and struggles took a backseat to a cheap and cheesy J-Horror story that you can find elsewhere.
Nevertheless, thank you to the cast, crew, and creators for putting a unique spin on a very important time period in American history.