Warning: Major spoilers for FUBAR season 2 below!Arnold Schwarzenegger’s action comedyFUBARhas split critics and audiences, and season 3 needs to iron out those differences. For fans ofArnold Schwarzenegger action movies,FUBARis almost required viewing. The show originally sold itself on the sheer novelty of being Schwarzenegger’s first time fronting a TV show, and while reviews for season 1 were lukewarm, it was still a comfortable hit for Netflix.FUBARseason 2 endedon a note that sets up another series, though it remains to be seen if the show will return.
For all its action and explosions,FUBARis a workplace sitcom at its core - it’s just that the workplace happens to be the CIA.FUBARis practically aTrue Liessequelin many ways too, from the basic premise down to the casting of Tom Arnold in a supporting role. On the whole, season 2 was an improvement on the first year, with the story being more involving and the ensemble gelling more naturally. Still,FUBARseason 2 stands at 50% onRotten Tomatoes- which is the exact same score the first series received.
FUBAR Season 3 Must End The Show’s Divisive Rotten Tomatoes Scores Streak
The RT score are totally FUBAR
DespiteFUBAR’stepid critical response, the audience ratings for seasons 1 and 2 are much warmer. Season 1 received a 68% rating from viewers, while the second year nabbed a 78% rating. Critics and viewers being at odds with one another is nothing new, particularly when it comes to Netflix’s output. Still, the factthatFUBAR’scritical average didn’t move and there was a noticeable increase in the audience meter suggests a potential third season has work to do.
To the show’s credit, season 2 felt more focused than the debut season, with each episode building on the last while leading to a suitably intense finale.FUBARseason 1 felt scattered in many areas, while the comedy could be far too broad. That’s likely the reason audiences warmed to the latest season even more, though these improvements didn’t win critics over much.
Season 3 could work even harder in this area, cutting back on the number of supporting characters while digging into the difficulties of being a superspy while trying to lead a normal life. This was some of the meatier stuff the latest season had to offer, especially with Arnie’s Luke facing off against former lover, Greta (Carrie-Anne Moss).
Why FUBAR Continues To Divide Audiences & Critics So Much
It might be time to drop the Arnold movie easter eggs
FUBARis not only guilty of indulging in cringey dad humor, it wallows in it. It was only natural the show was going to layer in easter egg nods of Arnold’s past work, but the number of references toTerminator,Total Recalland countless others during season 2 went overboard.FUBAR’smix of24-style espionage thriller, wacky sitcom and earnest family drama could be a little much at times,especially when episodes hop back and forth between these different ingredients.
Whereas fans of Arnold and general audiences might be willing to switch their brains off and letFUBARwash over them, critics aren’t letting it off the hook so easy. They’re going to notice the multiple gags that don’t land, the story beats that get lost as the season progresses or the waste of supporting players like Tom Arnold. The show is guilty of throwing a lot of elements at audiences in hopes of keeping them interested, and while it can be good fun, it’s not so surprising critics are tougher on it.
How FUBAR Season 3 Can Avoid Seasons 1 & 2’s Biggest Flaws
FUBAR season 2 was already a step in the right direction
Again,FUBAR’ssecond season was a definite improvement, but more work could be done to reconcile its critic and audience scores. Some simple fixes would include fewer characters (Jay Baruchel’s Carter should probably just stay in Greenland following season 2’s finale), less tonal whiplash between silly humor and violent setpieces, and doubling down on the elements that work. Surprisingly,FUBARis at its best when it’s earnest with its emotions, so it shouldn’t be afraid to lean into the drama.
Carrie-Anne Moss almost co-starred with Arnold Schwarzenegger years earlier inTerminator 3: Rise of the Machines, where she was considered for the villain T-X before Kristanna Loken was cast.
Of course, the question now is willFUBARseason 3 happen? The finale set up a dangerous rescue mission to Russia, while Luke has retired and plans to remarry his ex-wife, Tally (Fabiana Udenio). There are plenty of dangling threads to pick up from, but there seems to be less interest in the second season, and Netflix can be ruthless when canceling shows that don’t reach a certain threshold. This would be a shame, sinceFUBARseason 2 felt like a step in the right direction for the show.
FUBAR
Cast
FUBAR follows a father and daughter who unknowingly both work for the CIA, discovering their shared secret while handling an undercover mission. This unexpected revelation turns professional operations into a complex family matter, complicating the mission and their personal dynamics. Released in May 2023, it features elements of action and espionage.
