Represent season 2 review: A Black Man's journey towards becoming the President 

Represent season 2, the next installment of the acclaimed political satire, has received a positive reception from audiences on Netflix. This French series was created by Jean-Pascal Zadi and François Uzan. Jean-Pascal Zadi himself stars as the protagonist, Stéphane Blé, a Black youth social worker who, due to unexpected events, is elected to run for the presidential elections. Alongside Zadi, the cast includes Benoît Poelvoorde, Eric Judor, and Fadily Camara in supporting roles.

The political satire addresses significant social issues with a French touch and a theme of humor. Season 1 followed Stéphane Blé's journey from being a passionate youth educator in the suburbs of Paris to being recognized as a potential presidential candidate. It ended amidst high political upheaval, with election day right around the corner. Stéphane faces heavy political backlash for his wanting to be the first black president.

In season 2, Stéphane falls into a major dilemma when it creates major chaos in his home, and now he must choose whether to protect his marriage or keep on focusing on his campaign. Represent season 2 begins with Stéphane left without a political party, an agenda, or a wife. With the growing threats around him, he starts his journey back from point zero, trying to collect things that he had lost on the way.

Disclaimer: There are minor spoilers ahead.

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Represent season 2 narrates the journey of Stéphane Blé towards finding what his heart truly wants

Stéphane is invited in the Élysée Palace (Image via Netflix)

Represent season 2 begins with Stéphane arriving at the Élysée Palace, where he is about to take the word as president after a shocking win in the elections. With no wife and no party, he finds it very difficult to come up with a concrete agenda that he could formally address to the nation. His journey, from being a local youth counselor in the suburbs of Paris to winning the election, has been completely based on his promise of eating well for free.

They are greeted by the Élysée Palace, where Stéphane is informed by the new head of security, Alice, that he has been receiving escalating death threats. A lot of the public and opposition groups have been infuriated, by a black man running for the president post. Stéphane ignores most of it, even after a package arrives of a banana stuffed with a bullet inside, added up with a very racist warning. He still believes that his underdog background will provide him with all the protection that he needs.

Corinne Couanier in Represent season 2 (Image via Netflix)

As directed by Yasmine, Stéphane immediately needs to appoint a prime minister who could aid him in future parliamentary elections. He ironically ends up choosing Corinne Couanier, a far-left-wing politician who was his prime opponent in the general elections. Preferring herself to be called "The Prime Mistress," Corinne is dedicated to providing her best in the upcoming elections that clash with an easy-going approach.

Despite choosing his campaign during the last season over Marion, he decides to return to her. He tries to convince Marion to move with him to the Élysée Palace. Marion had always wanted to keep herself away from the spotlight, she never wanted to be the first lady. But surprisingly she ends up agreeing, persuaded by Stéphane’s exiled campaign manager, William Crozon. But the lot finds it difficult to adjust to the political environment in the Élysée Palace.

Stéphane’s laid-back attitude clashes with the political conventions (Image via Netflix)

In Represent season 2, Stéphane’s casual attitude that has won him the elections gets big disapproval from the elite staff in the palace. His casual attire and wearing that thick gold chain stand in high contrast to France's conventional political rules. Despite being elected in the presidential race, Stéphane still finds himself facing subtextual racism among his new peers.

Stéphane's relationship with Marion faces a crack (Image via Netflix)

Marion deeply faces these class differences while living in the political light, wanting to go back to her private life. This causes a strain on the two's relationship, with the IVF complications adding to the situation. Additionally, Stéphane’s death threats begin to increase with the day coming near.

Stéphane must create a balance between his personal life and political ambitions (Image via Netflix)

The final episode of Represent season 2 peaks up the trill with election day around the corner, where Stéphane must learn how to keep his marriage alive while also guiding a team towards building a nation. Represent season 2 ends with a cliffhanger, showing the arrival of an unexpected person, which could finally indicate a further story.

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