I’m too late for Halloween, but I need to mention the show I finished watching for the first time last week: The Strain
By Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan.
Plot summary directly from the IMDb:
A mysterious viral outbreak with hallmarks of an ancient and evil strain of vampirism ravages the city of New York.
When I first heard about the show a few years ago, I dismissed it. I already watched too many similar shows, and it didn’t sound worth it. But it was worth it.
And what’s always a plus: It’s now a finished show. Not canceled. It has a real ending with an 8.2 rating on IMDb. You know how the last episodes of shows catch all the hate if they weren’t satisfying enough for the fans.


Does it have enough references in season 2 to pick it back up again without watching season 1 again?
I watched the first when it came out and it didn’t hook me enough to pick it back up when season 2 came out. Not bad, just wasn’t hitting the right notes at the time.
People make YouTube videos that recap basically every TV show season, and at varying lengths.
Season 2 starts with over a minute of “previously on …”. Maybe it’s enough if you can remember season 1 well enough.
I would skim the episode descriptions on Wikipedia for the first season. And perhaps watch the last minutes of the season finale.
Too bad there’s no recap on YouTube.
I don’t remember exactly but maybe watch the last episode of season 1 if it doesn’t have seasonal recaps.
I do love the arc of the show though. Status quo constantly overturned. I liked Zoo for the same reason.