Season 2 of "The Law According to Lidia Poet" kicks off in the vibrant city of Turin, where it seems Lidia's journey to the United States never materialized. Instead, she finds herself incarcerated for her relentless advocacy for voting rights for Italian women. However, her fate takes a sudden turn when a friend is brutally murdered, leading to her release. Detective Fourneau escorts Lidia and Jacopo to confront the grim reality of Atilla Brusaferro's demise, the esteemed chief editor of The Gazette. The catalyst for this tragic encounter? Two letters Atilla penned, aiming to mend fences between the duo, now inexplicably intertwined with his murder investigation. The authorities view these letters as pivotal clues, while their primary suspect looms as Atilla's estranged half-brother, Cesare, hinted at by a neighbor's tale of frequent brotherly squabbles.
A palpable tension pervades Lidia and Jacopo's reunion, starkly contrasting their tender farewell in the Season 1 cliffhanger. Jacopo's offer to assist in unraveling the mystery meets with Lidia's stern refusal. As she departs, a shadowy observer tracks her movements. Heading back to her abode, Lidia's steps unveil a fraction of the rift that has widened between her and Jacopo. He has sold their villa, forcing Teresa, Enrico, Marianna, and Lidia into the confines of a modest apartment on a bustling street. Financial constraints have stripped them of their dignity, relying on Jacopo's financial aid, a humiliation Enrico bears with gritted teeth.
Lidia, however, finds solace in a newfound friendship with Anna, the wife of a senator, and becomes an integral part of a women's rights protest movement against the misogynistic Cavalier Antonio Juvara, who is campaigning for election. Ironically, Lidia opts out of the latest protest, joining Enrico on a quest to delve into Atilla's untimely death. Their investigation leads them to Cesare, now behind bars due to a suspicious bruise. He unveils a tumultuous altercation with Atilla, sparked by Cesare's friendship with Cosimo Balbiani, the heir to an anti-Semitic shipping dynasty. The revelation that Atilla was Jewish ignites suspicions within the Poet family, hinting at a possible motive for Cosimo to eliminate him.
They steer their steps towards Atilla's abode and are guided through the meticulous reconstruction of the crime scene – no signs of forced entry, yet his money-laden bookshelf stands disturbingly askance, accompanied by a damp, forsaken umbrella. Fourneau conjectures that Atilla, catching Cesare in the act of theft, engaged in a fierce altercation, culminating in Atilla's tragic plunge from the window. Suddenly, the policeman feels a dizzying spell envelop him, but he dismisses it with a wave of his hand.
Returning home, Marianna finds Lidia's protests intriguing, while Teresa dismisses them as absurd. Lidia underscores that, if she held sway, no male kin would dare dispose of her assets without her consent, subtly lambasting Teresa's brother, Jacopo, for selling the Barberis family house without her consultation. Their discourse is interrupted by Duke Paolo, who is enthusiastically wooing Marianna. He extends an invitation to the Poets for a grand ball, and even subtly broaches the topic of marriage. Enrico, hearing this revelation for the first time, is left in a state of disbelief.
Once he regains his composure, a bit of digging unearths that Atilla had once insulted Cosimo within his own home, in a desperate bid to keep him away from Cesare. Moreover, Cosimo harbors a propensity for violence, as evidenced by his destruction of a Jewish-owned bakery. Enrico and Lidia set course for Cosimo's lair, a luxurious yacht, where they grill him about Atilla. Lidia, posing as seasick, subtly prowls around the yacht until she uncovers a bloody shirt. Cosimo catches her in the act and summarily ejects her.
Undeterred by this setback, she ventures to the Gazette, where she discovers Jacopo already interrogating a colleague, Carlo. However, Jacopo is pursuing a different angle, delving into Atilla's last subject – Juvara. The former couple engages in a heated debate, with Jacopo contending that Juvara is the perpetrator, while Lidia steadfastly insists that it is Cosimo.
However, he ultimately finds himself accompanying her to the yacht, where an astonishing scene unfolds: Cosimo is caught in the act of beating someone up. Lidia, swift and decisive, locks the door behind them, ignites a firecracker that sends a clarion call to the authorities, and then, without hesitation, plunges into the river alongside Jacopo. The rush of adrenaline courses through their veins, bringing them to the brink of a passionate kiss. Yet, a sudden flashback interrupts the moment, reminding them of their past conflicts. Determined to forge his own path, Jacopo sells the house to launch his newspaper, seeking the freedom to write unfettered. Lidia is devastated, feeling misunderstood in her own struggle for liberation. Ultimately, he departs, leaving her with a sense of loss.
The yacht excursion proves fruitless, as Cosimo possesses an alibi – the same victim who was beaten testifies that Cosimo was busy kidnapping him on the day of Atilla's untimely demise. Despite this, police obtained new clues. They began using fingerprint comparison technology, and the fingerprints on the umbrella revealed a scar on the murderer's finger.
As the Poets make their way back home, Enrico is torn with worry, believing that Lidia embarked on the yacht alone with Cosimo. His desire to lend a helping hand creates a tender moment, finding favor in Lidia's heart. She reminisces about the time he injured his ankle while clearing Jacopo's name, and together, they share a heartfelt laugh, bonding over their shared experiences.
Upon returning home, Enrico sneakily keeps tabs on Paolo, just as Anna arrives, accompanied by her spouse, Filippo. Filippo expresses awe at Lidia's impressive bill, yet acknowledges the need for compromise and patience in their situation. Adding to their woes, Juvara stands as the sole candidate in the upcoming election, unopposed by anyone.
Delving deeper into the mystery, Lidia, devoid of other clues, reluctantly visits Jacopo. She observes that his tiny workforce consists of just two employees and learns that he's retained a portion of the funds for Marianna. Doubts creep in as she ponders whether Atilla's letters, intended for reconciliation, were genuine.
Shifting focus, Lidia scans through the remainder of Atilla's letters, handed over by Carlo. Her eyes catch Carlo's letter, noticing a distinctive 'S' that mirrors the neighbor's tip-off. Fortuitously, Jacopo offered Carlo a drink, leaving his fingerprint on the glass – a scar matching Carlo's identical mark.
Together, Lidia and Jacopo confront Carlo, who, in a moment of weakness, reveals that he never intended to kill Atilla. He drops a cryptic hint, suggesting a shadowy figure pulling the strings, one who threatens to eliminate everyone if they persist. Panic-stricken, Carlo takes his own life, shocking everyone present.
The police release Cesare but admit defeat in uncovering Carlo's motive for murdering Atilla. However, Lidia remains steadfast and undeterred. Jacopo, too, welcomes Cesare into his home, vowing to uncover the truth.
As The Poets depart, Detective Fourneau experiences another dizzy spell, revealing his hidden struggle with drug addiction. Meanwhile, Enrico catches sight of Jacopo and realizes Lidia's collaboration with him. He sternly warns Jacopo to steer clear of her before storming away in anger. At home, Lidia confesses that there was an underlying connection between her and Jacopo.
In a poignant flashback, Jacopo, with a heartfelt proposal, extends his hand in marriage to Lidia, yet she declines, her resolve unwavering as she prioritizes her protests and the fight for justice. Jacopo, ever supportive, reassures her that she can continue her battle, standing tall beside him. Yet, Lidia insists that she must remain unfettered, her gaze fixed unwaveringly on her ultimate objectives.
In the present, Enrico finds himself mired in bitter contemplation, wondering if Jacopo's decision to sell the villa was influenced by Lidia. Lidia counters, insisting that Jacopo was driven by his own inner turmoil and the newspaper merely served as an outlet for his pain.
Returning to the core of her struggle, Lidia makes a concession on her legislative bill, revealing to Filippo that her focus has now shifted to ensuring equal access to professions for all. As Season 2, Episode 1 of "The Law According to Lidia Poet" draws to a close, Lidia pens a letter to Andrea, her thoughts flowing onto the paper with poignant sincerity. Unbeknownst to her, a shadowy figure trails her steps, a gun materializing in his hand as Lidia's gaze inadvertently meets his.
