From today's New York Magazine newsletter about tv recommendations--I found the second season darker and more depressing and wonder what's more common:
I found the first season to be low-key a little depressing. I wanted them to have more fun, but you have promised me that in season two, they have more fun.
Season one is depicting domestic violence in a way that is not funny or fun or enjoyable. The feeling of threat feels very scary in their intimacy. And season two does have that, but they jump over to Europe and the whole season is more or less about a vampire theater troupe, and that's just so fun. More people who like to watch all the “prestige” TV shows and have yet to give this a chance should give it a chance. It’s vampires riding around on motorcycles and smoking and killing and eating fancy French people.