No huge spoilers, but let’s just say season one concludes with Lady Parts—the name of the punk rock band, fronted by Saira (Sarah Kameela Impey)—for a moment hitting their stride and with Amina confidently by their side. (Rather hilariously, Amina, who is the band’s resident “goody-two-shoes” announces at the start of the new season that she’s officially in her “villain era.” Totally baller.)
But as their moderate fame begins to pick up, the group encounters a new challenge: competition. In fact, a new and fan-girling trio called “Second Wife” covers one of Lady Parts’ mega-hits “Bashir with the Good Beard” (they mean it as a compliment!) to great success, leaving Lady Parts feeling little ownership over the musical accomplishments they’ve thus far achieved. What ensues is a quest to nail down their identity—both professional and personal—as they come of age, but at the same time place themselves within a broader community (of musicians, of punk rockers and of Muslims, too).
While less centered on Amina, but rather the group as a whole, season two shows the series hitting its stride. For example, I loved when the group—irritated and angry about their Gen Z counterpart—pens anthem after anthem to sort their feelings out. (“Malala Made Me Do It” is a particular favorite, which also happens to feature a cameo by the real deal Malala.) Another highlight is bandmate Bisma’s (played by Faith Omole) ability to freeze time in moments when she gets overwhelmed, like an argument with her daughter. Even Amina’s romantic escapades are aided by sound effects. I repeat, this series continues to be a delight.
