‘Castle Rock’ season 2 finally portrays a notorious character in a new light

Notorious murderer Annie Wilkes is the focus of the new season of Hulu’s “Castle Rock,” but the show portrays her in a different light than before.

Annie (Lizzy Caplan) was first introduced to readers in Stephen King’s 1987 novel, “Misery,” and subsequently portrayed by Kathy Bates in the 1990 film of the same name. While both the novel and film presented a one-sided portrait of Annie, the second season of “Castle Rock” takes time to explore her origins and relationship with her daughter Joy.

Both Annie and Joy (Elsie Fisher), travel from state to state in an effort to evade authorities, but end up stranded in Castle Rock, Maine, after an accident. The show follows Annie and Joy as they’re both drawn in to the town’s dramas and violence, and struggle to make a place for themselves therein.

Why you should care: The show is based on works by Stephen King.

Like the first season of “Castle Rock,” the new season features several characters and settings lifted straight from the pages of some of King’s most famous works. In addition to Annie Wilkes, characters like Ace Merrill (from King’s novella “The Body”) and Reginald “Pop” Merrill (from King’s story “Needful Things”) are key parts of the second season as well.

The town of Castle Rock, which features prominently in several of King’s books, also plays a big role in the second season.

castle rock season 2 — Elsie Fisher plays Lizzy Caplan’s daughter on “Castle Rock.” Dana Starbard/Hulu

What’s hot: It gives a famous character some much-needed backstory, and includes plenty of scary moments.

While Annie was the main antagonist of “Misery,” much of what readers (and viewers) knew of her was gleaned through the perspective of Paul Sheldon, the romance novelist she kidnaps and tortures. Even before Annie begins abusing him, Sheldon, as the narrator, frequently speaks ill of her, commenting on her size and appearance in negative ways.

But season two of “Castle Rock” finally gives Annie a nuanced backstory and character arc. Instead of being portrayed as simply a murderous psychopath, the Annie we see on the new season struggles with mental illness, and has an abundance of love for her daughter. Even though we quickly learn that Annie is capable of horrific violence — let’s just say you’ll never look at an ice cream scoop the same way again — we get to learn more about her origins as a troubled young girl in California, and get to see her in the decades and years before she takes Sheldon hostage.

Lizzy Caplan’s performance as Annie is impressive and eerie. From her physicality to her voice, as well as her emotional range, Caplan does an excellent job portraying the trouble nurse, who was previously played by Kathy Bates in the 1990 film. Elsie Fisher and Tim Robbins as Pop Merrill are also excellent.

What’s not: At times, the plot can get a bit convoluted.

Season two of “Castle Rock” is a lot more streamlined than the first, but there’s still quite a few mysteries to explain. Luckily, things are pretty much set up by the end of episode one, leaving viewers to revel in the exploration of Annie’s past and the mysteries of Castle Rock, as well as the drama surrounding the Merrill family and their adopted Somali relatives.

There are quite a few flashbacks, given that much of the show is focused on revealing Annie’s past, so viewers who prefer a linear timeline might be a bit turned off.

The bottom line: Season two of ‘Castle Rock’ is a must-watch for diehard Stephen King fans, but other viewers will have plenty to enjoy, too.

All in all, the new season of “Castle Rock” succeeds where the first season didn’t. The plot is, in general, pretty easy to understand (without being predictable), and the characters, many of them Stephen King stalwarts, are portrayed in a refreshing and original light.

But the star of “Castle Rock” season two is undoubtedly Annie Wilkes, who becomes far more than a one-note murderer throughout the course of the show. Although her violent tendencies are on full display, her turn in the spotlight is long overdue — and gives some much-needed context to her later behavior.

Even though the series has quite a few references and Easter Eggs related to King’s original novels (and their subsequent film adaptations), you don’t need to b e a diehard fan in order to enjoy the show. While it’s definitely not for the faint of heart, it’ll enthrall any viewer who wants to learn more about a deeply disturbed character who, up until now, hadn’t ever gotten to tell her side of the story.