Secrets of Sulphur Springs Episode 201: Only Time Will Tell Review
There are more mysteries surrounding the Tremont Hotel and the Campbell and Dunn families in season 2 of the Disney Channel series, “Secrets of Sulphur Springs.” After Savannah returns with a picture of a girl who looks exactly like Harper, Griffin joins the girls as they travel through time to the 1930s to see if Harper has been time traveling at a different point on the timeline or if it is a family member. Eventually, Griffin and Harper discover the girl is Harper’s ancestor named Daisy, and Daisy’s mother died and is haunting the Tremont causing problems for Savannah in the 1960s and the Campbells in present day.
I was a little wary about this show getting renewed for a second season. I enjoyed the first season far more than I thought I would ever enjoy a Disney Channel Original Series as an adult. I’ll admit I was fearful the show was going to be a one trick pony. I thought it would have one good season and then struggle in its sophomore season. We’re a long way off from it being a rousing success, as this review comes after only one episode, but I like where it’s going in this season. After the lessons of time travel in the first season, but still learning the missing girl was still alive and found a home in the 1960s, the show has to up the ante. It can’t just re-hash the storyline and still improve. Given we see a ghost actually disappear in view of Griffin and Harper in the first episode, I like the potential this second season is bringing to the table.
While I like what I’m seeing, the show is far from perfect. I’m interested to see how the parents’ character arc plays out in the second season. In the first season, we were made to think that Griffin’s father was a villain until the final few episodes. They clearly can’t do that again, but I want to know what they will do. They have already made it where the ghost is reaching out to Griffin’s mother and his siblings. I wonder if the mother’s fears will serve a more pivotal role in the story like the father’s past served in the first season. I understand I’m watching a show meant for pre-teens and early teens, but it’s a tightrope act to make their characters serve the story in a compelling way. It worked in the first season. I’m intrigued to see how they do it and if it works in the second season.
I’ve reviewed a few shows here for whatsondisneyplus.com and this may be my favorite Disney branded show so far. We know they can make interesting television for Star Wars and Marvel, but Disney has been more hit and miss. “Turner and Hooch” and “Doogie Kameāloha, M.D.” were both very bland series. Neither was bad, but neither had something that stands out. They certainly have their fans, but neither was a home run of a show. Those were Disney+ Original Series that honestly felt like the quality of a Disney Channel Original Series. This is a Disney Channel Original Series that feels like the quality of a Disney+ Original Series. I want to see more like this going forward.
Ranking: 3.5 stars out of 5