We’re about halfway throughMr. Robot’s second season, and it’s been met with some mixed feelings. While last week’s episode galvanized the fanbase watching week to week with its great retro send-ups (proving once again that it’s one of the most innovative series on television), it also was something thathadto be watched live, or on DV-R, because those won’t be shown on streaming services. It’s interesting how the show’s creatorSam Esmailhas tried to create an urgency with watching the series weekly, since it seems like so much ofRobot’s audience is watching delayed or through other means. The TV game isn’t always won by numbers, but it does help.
Despite the show’s accolades (6 Emmy nominations, plus 2 Golden Globes, 3 Critics Choice Awards, a Writers Guild Award and a Peabody) and love for its starsRami MalekandChristian Slater, the show has yet to catch fire with weekly viewers. This season,Mr. Robot’s numbers are averaging at under 2 million weekly, totally a 40% drop from its first season.
Still, USA is clearly invested in the series since it has really changed the way we are seeing the channel’s programming. And as such, it was announced today thatMr. Robothas been renewed for a third season. NBCUniversal Cable (which owns USA) entertainment president Chris McCumber said in a statement:
“We couldn’t be more proud of Mr. Robot, a series that has pushed boundaries, captured the cultural zeitgeist and been honored as one of the best dramas on television. Midway through its second season, Mr. Robot continues to break new ground and open up new opportunities for the network. We can’t wait to see where [series creator] Sam Esmail and the entire brilliant Robot team take us next.”
Season 2 hasn’t felt like its found its stride as quickly as Season 1 did (I recently wrote about it andUnREALas suffering fromauteur TV slumps), but again, we’re only halfway through the recently expanded season (which was ordered for 10 episodes but will end up at 12). I adored Season 1 and named it the best show of the year in 2015, so I’m still hopeful. There’s plenty left to explore!
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Mr. Robotairs Wednesdays on USA.
