: Reviewers consistently praise the show's use of the Canadian landscape, noting that it feels like a character in itself. The second season replaces the winter snow with "lush green landscapes" and the ominous presence of black flies.
: The evolving partnership between Detectives John Cardinal (Billy Campbell) and Lise Delorme (Karine Vanasse) is highlighted as the "spine of the series". Critics from The Globe and Mail and The Australian found their deepening trust and personal struggles—particularly Cardinal’s marriage to Catherine—to be compelling. Cardinal - Season 2
Season 2 of Cardinal , titled Blackfly Season , is widely regarded as a solid, though slightly more divisive, follow-up to the acclaimed first season. Most critics agree it maintains the show’s signature "whiteout noir" atmosphere but shifts the focus to a more summer-set mystery. : Reviewers consistently praise the show's use of
Season 2 of Cardinal is solid, but lacks searing sensibility Critics from The Globe and Mail and The
: While still considered a "must-see" by some, others felt this season lacked the "searing sensibility" of the first. Some reviewers at The Killing Times felt the plot was occasionally stretched and the antagonists were less nuanced than those in Season 1. Key Plot Points