Raising Dion season 2 premiere recap-rewind: A Hero Returns (2022)
By Wade Wainio
Though the Netflix series Raising Dion has all appearances of being permanently canceled, we just want to do a quick recap of the season 2 premiere to remember what was lost. The season 2 premiere begins two years after events in the season 1 finale.
At a fair, Brayden Mills (Griffin Faulkner) uses mind control to convince a woman to give him a video game console, thus reminding us of Brayden’s abilities. Then we see the return of The Crooked Man entity that zaps a thief (credited as “Lowlife Guy,” played by Matthew R. Staley), also causing a momentary power outage.
While walking away from what could be considered a crime scene, Brayden brainwashes a couple to drive him to Atlanta. Meanwhile, BIONA and Nicole Warren (Alisha Wainwright) have a meeting discussing the importance of “the powered,” like her son Dion (Ja’Siah Young) remaining a secret.
Perhaps as a tool to further induce her silence, she is offered a seat on BIONA’s advisory board. However, we soon see that Dion (who calls himself “Mind Mover”) secretly does minor good deeds for the neighborhood, coached by Esperanza Jimenez (Sammi Haney).
Still, Nicole advises Dion to keep his powers under wraps.
Raising Dion and the mysterious sinkhole
Next on Raising Dion, we learn that scientists are examining a hole in the Earth, while school security guard Gary Stafford (Michael Anthony) and Esperanza discuss gardening and slug traps. Children are warned about the sinkhole, and we see that the scientists are testing the soil.
Soon, we are shown that Dion, Esperanza, and Jonathan King (Gavin Munn) have been meeting to strategize life under the group name “Triangle of Justice.” They might need it too, because Brayden enters their classroom as a student, is apparently manipulated by the Crooked Man, and can hear everyone’s thoughts (certainly one of the more disturbing superpowers one could theoretically have).
A few new characters are introduced: Fernando (David De La Barcena), Janelle Carr (Aubriana Davis), and Alonso Diaz (Reinaldo Faberlle). In addition to the return of Aunt Kat (Jazmyn Simon), we also see Tevin Wakefield (Rome Flynn), who is Nicole’s love interest and Dion’s trainer.
Also appearing in this episode are BIONA’s Suzanne Wu (Ali Ahn) and David Marsh (Josh Ventura), BIONA’s vice president of operations. In one of the episode’s most dramatic moments, Nicole almost gets hit with one of Dion’s rays while training.
Raising Dion revelations
As the episode winds down, we see Brayden near the mysterious sinkhole with the Crooked Man. Because Dion had left his phone at BIONA, he teleports there to retrieve it and overhears Suzanne and David discussing the sinkhole.
Then, in a moment that’s not totally surprising, a security guard at Dion’s school named Gary gets attacked by spores in the sinkhole. Ouch!
Finally, Pat Rollins (Jason Ritter) makes a surprise appearance, ostensibly to warn everyone about some impending danger.
Final thoughts on this Raising Dion episode
This was by no means the most action-packed episode of any TV series ever, but it did remind us where the story stood, and it’s not like it was totally devoid of action. Brayden Mills was a creepy kid, and Dion himself seemed to be gaining a little more control over his powers.
Not to mention the development of his superhero helpers tapped into the theme of teamwork. Basically, Dion was never developed as some Batman-esque loner, and all of the characters seem to have their own realistic motivations.
All in all, the episode does what one might expect a premiere to do.
What did you think of the Raising Dion season 2 premiere? Share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!
You can watch Raising Dion on Netflix.