Serial, the gripping American podcast that consumed our evenings, mornings, lunch breaks and water cooler discussions is back for a second series. At last.

The new series focuses on Bowe Bergdahl, the US army sergeant who spent five years in Taliban captivity after disappearing from his post in Afghanistan in 2009.

Listen to the first episode of season two, hosted by the brilliant Sarah Koenig, right here dovetail.serialpodcast.org

You're welcome. 

Jamie Klingler, publishing manager at ShortList Media, gives her verdict on the first episode of Serial season two:

If you are looking for a repeat of season one focusing on a cold case, you will be disappointed.  Season two tells the story of Pfc. Bowe Bergdahl, who voluntarily left a remote army base in eastern Afghanistan and was subsequently held by the Taliban for over five years. The case is still currently the focus of a military investigation and Bergdahl has been charged with desertion and misbehaviour before the enemy. This could mean life in prison if he is convicted. 

The first episode takes some getting in to, it’s about 14 minutes before the scene really starts to get set which included quite a bit of waffling about a child’s book and perspective which could use some editing down.  It seems odd for him to try his case in the court of public opinion.  Sarah Koenig seems sympathetic to Bergdahl in taking up his case for such a coveted spot; but at least in the first instance, I’m pretty sceptical.  Mostly, I found myself feeling sorry for the other soldiers that were trying to find him. 

Favourite line in it was Sarah’s “that’s me, calling the Taliban”.  But I don’t think it was meant to be funny.

I will give it some time, but I'm not entranced with the initial episode.