Why Jody Hill's Season of Vice Principals is Best

Comparing and Contrasting Seasons 1 and 2 of Vice Principals

Vice Principals was an American comedy series created by Danny McBride and Jody Hill that aired on HBO from 2016 to 2017. It consisted of 2 seasons that told one narrative, with the first season (or the first half of the narrative) directed by Jody Hill and the second season (or second half) directed by David Gordon Green. Overall, the show told the story of two vice principals, Neal Gamby (played by McBride) and Lee Russell (played by Walton Goggins), competing for the top spot at a South Carolina high school. Their bitter rivalry comes to an end when new principal is appointed over them. The two team up to plot against this newly appointed principal, who is named Dr. Belinda Brown (played by Kimberly Hebert Gregory). The show is very funny but also incredibly dark. It depicts two very flawed protagonists who go to great lengths to achieve their goals. While the seasons work together to tell a single narrative, the first season is better, and this paper will explain why.

In the first season, the viewer witnesses the very funny rivalry and eventual partnership of Gamby and Russell as they work against Dr. Brown. Their schemes range from hilarious to horrifying, and Jody Hill, as director, does a really good job of painting these characters as complicated individuals with significant flaws. In other words, it is easy to sympathize with them. His style is smooth, dramatic, precise, and on point (compared to Green’s often erratic, poorly timed, choppily edited work in season 2). The story in season 1 also has a darker undertone due to the two main characters’ conspiracies against Dr. Brown, with the humor often stemming from their outlandish plans. It also sets up the duo\'s convincing dynamic and gets the viewer to root for them even as the viewer is simultaneously repulsed by how far the two will go. There are moments throughout the first season that show bravery and virtue in the two in spite of their many faults and failings.

Season 2, however, shifts focus from the plot against Dr. Brown to a whodunit style of narrative following the shooting of Gamby in the first season\'s finale. Russell becomes the de facto principal (after Brown is successfully overthrown), and Gamby resigns himself to his subordinate role and his seeks his would-be assassin. The season includes moments of emotional depth, as the story allows the two to experience the consequences of their actions. But under the directing hand of Green, a lot of it feels forced and unconvincing.

Both seasons have their unique aspects in terms of storyline, with Season 1 focusing on the rivalry and conspiracy against Dr. Brown, and Season 2 focusing on the aftermath of their actions and the mystery surrounding Gamby\'s shooting. The humor, which is dark and hilarious, is more consistent and on point in Season 1 than in Season 2, however.

Season 1 is also more linear and simpler in its plot, primarily focusing on Gamby and Russell\'s shared goal. Season 2, however, has a storyline that bogs down with its mystery subplot and the consequences of Season 1\'s actions.