"Monarch: Legacy Of Monsters" Season 2 Part One (Review)
- Stephen Miller
- 10 minutes ago
- 5 min read
First, I want to apologize for not covering Monarch: Legacy of Monsters Season 2 with episodic reviews like I did for Season 1. Since transitioning into full-time work, I simply haven’t had the energy after long days to break down each episode individually. Instead, I decided to take a step back and revisit the season at its halfway point.
Now that we are five episodes in, my overall reception hasn’t shifted much from last season—and that, in itself, is telling.
The biggest issue remains the same: the story is still a hit-or-miss experience. Once again, the past timeline continues to be the stronger of the two narratives. It carries more weight, more intrigue, and feels more aligned with what I expect from a Monsterverse story. The present timeline has improved slightly, but not enough to fully close that gap.
What I enjoy about the past timeline is it feels more like an adventure. There is a sense of mystery the Monsterverse has been missing, especially with the last film Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire. We see Bill so engaged in unraveling Titan X's migratory route that he temporarily splits up with Lee and Keiko, leaving them in the tiny fishing village in Chile, to find out. Meanwhile, Lee has been itching to leave this village after immediately getting the cold and hostile hint from the locals ever since their first arrival.
As for the present timeline, I do like that these characters are trying to feel more accountable of their own actions. After Cate opened the door to Axis Mundi to save Lee, she has also inadvertantly let out Titan X. I do like the dynamic that they all feel responsible for letting this monster out, but Cate really goes overboard. It got so annoying even May and Kentaro are telling her to get over herself. It took a mother of one of Cate's former students to snap her out of her guilt. By thanking Cate for saving that woman's son it made Cate realize she has made a difference, prompting her to return to her friends.
Another aspect of the show that I do like is APEX's technological progress. We see they are now advancing with the neural link technology which will be used for MechaGodzilla in Godzilla vs Kong. The technology is still in early stages, but they are able to control smaller monsters like the leafwing for a limited amount of time. On the outside, this is what APEX believes could achieve coexistence with the Titans. We know the deeper the truth that as a technology company, controlling a Titan can lead to using them as weapons, which they tried and failed with Titan X. Seeing something like this makes the Monsterverse feel more consistent with the movies. This is what I mean in my last post how the show can explain the drastic tonal shift in each movie. Seeing a slow technological advancement is one way to make the Monsterverse tonally consistent and kept in that realism I expect.
My main criticism of the present storyline comes down to one frustrating pattern: the Randa family drama. At this point, the Randas have developed a generational reputation for infidelity, and it’s becoming more distracting than compelling.
Hiroshi having two families was a strong and believable reveal. Cate’s past actions, while not particularly engaging, at least felt like a natural extension of that theme. But Keiko’s affair with Lee is where the writing begins to feel excessive. Instead of adding depth, it pushes the narrative into repetition. What could have been complex character drama now comes across as a recurring trait, reducing these characters to variations of the same flaw.
And that’s a shame, because when the show does focus on character, it can be effective.
In fact, this season has made me appreciate Bill Randa even more. His relationship with Hiroshi carries a level of emotional nuance that the rest of the family drama struggles to maintain. Bill clearly loved Hiroshi as his own, yet the revelation of Keiko’s letter created a quiet fracture in that bond. Even in the latest episode, Hiroshi believed he had been abandoned because he wasn’t Bill’s biological son—only to realize that wasn’t the truth. But it took another affair just to make Hiroshi realize that and I feel it cheapens the drama between Hiroshi and Keiko.
There was also another angle the show briefly hints at but doesn’t fully explore. When Keiko insists they need to report back to Monarch, Hiroshi mocks the name repeatedly. His reaction suggests a deeper resentment, one that could have been rooted in his childhood. The show had an opportunity here to frame Monarch not just as an organization, but as a symbol of neglect. Bill and Keiko’s obsession with Titans could have been directly tied to Hiroshi feeling abandoned as a child, explaining why he wanted nothing to do with Monarch until G-Day forced his hand. That direction would have added far more depth than the repeated reliance on infidelity.
On the monster side of things, Titan X—also referred to as Co’Cai—has been a standout. Her design feels loosely inspired by Biollante, though reimagined with a more aquatic presence. What really stood out to me, however, was the cult surrounding her in Chile. The entire sequence leaned heavily into Lovecraftian territory, from the ritualistic elements to the tone of reverence and fear. Honestly, I was surprised they didn’t lean fully into that inspiration with a name like “Titanus Dagon.” So far, she does not come off as a destroyer class Titan. The monster does act aggressive out of motherly instinct to protect the babies that are called Scarabs.
However, when there is nothing else threatening Titan X or the Scarabs, she has a more gentle side of her as seen in the latest episode. Cate and Titan X meet face to face, Cate is sort of in panic mode, but Titan X is calm. She is curious about the human in front of her. In earlier episodes, Cate is shown to have a telepathic connection with the monster. It started out as if the monster was calling to her. Even when APEX shot a taser at Titan X, the shock Titan X was feeling, Cate was feeling that same shock too. The show has not explained yet how Cate was able to make this link with Titan X. I am sure the show will explain how in a later episode. For now, we know that telepathy is a real possibility in this universe.
It’s easily one of the more unique additions to the Monsterverse so far.
That said, the handling of the franchise’s core Titans has been… surprising.
Kong’s presence this season is far more limited than expected. After being introduced early on, he essentially disappears after about an episode and a quarter. Given how Season 1 positioned Godzilla as a central figure, I assumed Season 2 would do the same with Kong. Season 2 absolutely started right away where Season 1 ended with Kong attacking the APEX facility. Then, the story moves forward without him, which feels like a missed opportunity. We do know Kong will appear later to fight Titan X just as Godzilla will. I just thought he had more of a central focus is all.
Even more unusual is the complete absence of Godzilla—at least so far. Traditionally, Godzilla appears when other Titans awaken, serving as a balancing force in the ecosystem. His absence here stands out, especially given the scale of events unfolding.
That may be about to change.
Episode 6’s synopsis mentions a “Titan call” device capable of summoning Godzilla, which likely ties into the footage we’ve seen of him appearing in Japan. However, this raises a larger concern within the fanbase: whether this moment risks retconning Godzilla’s established five-year disappearance.
For now, that question remains unanswered.