The following contains spoilers for Skull Island Season 1, now streaming on Netflix.
Season 1 of Netflix's Skull Island continues the story after Kong: Skull Island, which paints an intriguing picture of Kong's ecosystem. While many thought Monarch kept the island under wraps once soldiers left, information was leaked that brought more humans to the island. However, the series is less about hunting monsters, and more about rescue missions.
Thankfully, one of the parties -- a teen named Annie -- is brought back to civilization after going missing for years. However, as the action-packed Skull Island ends, there are a few loose threads that are inviting mankind back over. There are also new opportunities for more kaiju and Titans to keep colliding, while humanity tries to figure its spot in the hierarchy.
Skull Island Season 2 Could Unleash a Sinister Irene
Irene and her science expedition were able to bring Annie (her daughter) home, but the wily Annie wants to go back. She needs to be with the giant kanine, Dog, she befriended there. While it might seem far-fetched that Irene would return after seeing so much death and destruction, she could also be encouraged by the scientific discoveries she finds there. With a bigger team who's better equipped for the journey, she can harvest even more plant and animal DNA to further her research.
Irene does have a sinister air to her, which would play on the evil doctor trope these movies often use. Annie has a unique ability of communicating with Dog, so Irene could manipulate this and use them to her advantage. Irene lost her husband in the accident that washed Annie ashore years back, but she does seem more driven by work than family. This means Season 2 could find Irene making immoral, unethical decisions in the name of her field, upsetting nature's balance and triggering Kong.
Skull Island Season 2 Can Focus on a New Tribe
Additionally, Charlie -- one of the other teens from another expedition -- is still on the island after Skull Island Season 1 ends. He was taken captive by a masked woman in the finale, suggesting there's another hidden tribe. Charlie's father, Cap, and his injured buddy, Mike, are also stuck on the island, so Season 2 is perfectly poised to have them all reunited. Having them figure out if Irene's people are saviors or a threat to everyone can especially add drama.
What further complicates things are the other creatures on the island. This warrior doesn't seem to be in tune with the beasts like the last tribe Kong befriended. It's therefore obscure if her people can be trusted as well. This sets up an emotional journey for Kong himself because the giant ape does want to coexist with natives after a past attachment. Sadly, a giant squid attacked and killed them, and Season 2 will have to explore why this new warrior doesn't come out of the shadows.
Skull Island Season 2 Can Add Scarier Monsters
Skull Island Season 1 didn't have many challenges for Kong. Skullcrawlers were rare, and the other animals were too small or friendly. It's only in the finale that Kong killed the squid in the sea. Season 2 can step it up, however, by bringing more monsters in via the sea, air and land. Legendary Comics had a bevy of other kaiju and Titans such as giant spiders, scorpions and whatnot, so this is an opportunity to add new, intimidating enemies.
It's the norm for Kong to then work with humans to stop them and protect his home. This can even lay a foundation for Monarch -- whether independently or with Irene's crew -- to be part of the team. If they help out, it'll fill in a gap in the MonsterVerse movies and lay groundwork for why Kong was cool with Monarch setting up base and monitoring him in Godzilla vs. Kong. Ultimately, this approach details a bigger character study with Kong and the Hollow Earth beneath. It perhaps even teases unseen threats for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire.
Skull Island Season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.