entertainment

It's back: Serial season two has begun.

 

The podcast that had the world captivated is back.

The first episode of Serial season two was put up overnight, and people were so excited the podcast’s website couldn’t handle it.

But don’t worry, it works now.

While the wildly successful first season of Serial dealt with Adnan Syed’s conviction for the murder of Hae-Min Lee this season will focus on the case of US soldier Bowe Bergdahl.

It’s been a long time between seasons, with the first one wrapping almost a year ago.  In that time, podcasts have exploded, with yours truly- Mamamia – starting it’s own network of shows.  (Less murder and intrigue, though, and more chat).

But back to Serial. Bergdahl was captured by the Taliban after leaving his base in Afghanistan in 2009, and was swapped for five Guantanamo Bay prisoners in 2014.

But he has since been charged with desertion, his case dividing public opinion.

It’s a completely different focus for Serial, which chose a largely unknown case for its first season. Bergdahl’s story has been in the news for over a year, and there are charges pending.

Serial’s host, Sarah Koenig, has previously said that she doesn’t think fans of season one will be excited about season two.

“We’re really not planning on having the same response that we had in season one and frankly, we’re really totally okay with that,” she said earlier this year.

But the new season is already riling some of Bergdahl’s former comrades who are not happy about the choice of story.

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“Anyone who tries to benefit from Bowe’s situation has little interest in the truth,” Maxim reported that one said.

“What happened in 2009 is both troubling and politically incorrect…my concern is that the truth is being diluted by those looking to gain from Bowe’s story.”

The series is being produced by Koenig and Mark Boal, who wrote Zero Dark Thirty. His involvement has prompted speculation that the podcast will be turned into a film.

“I get it that Boal wants to make a movie and Serial is trying to make a nifty diorama for hipsters to marvel at, but I think it’s the height of crassness for them to do this when it could potentially affect the legal proceedings… I assume it will be a great way to paint us as kooks and sore losers,” another anonymous member of Bergdahl’s unit said.

Episode one of season two is called “Dustwun”.

“In the middle of the night, Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl grabs a notebook, snacks, water, some cash. Then he quietly slips off a remote U.S. Army outpost in eastern Afghanistan and into the dark, open desert. About 20 minutes later, it occurs to him: he’s in over his head,” the description of the podcast says.

Get ready to be addicted, all over again.

If you’re new to podcasts, here’s the easy guide to getting them. Mamamia has a facebook page dedicated to them where we post recommendations to new shows.  And our flagship show, Mamamia Out Loud, was just named the best new podcast for 2015 in itunes.

Here’s the latest episode: