I get what you're saying about Lotus but I think you're off target. The first season was indeed perfection. There is no way they could compete with that at the same location and characters. Been there. Done that. Changing the setting and characters was obviously very intentional and in my view exactly what they should have done.
So you watched the first episode of Season 2 as I have.
They're introducing the characters, milking the Sicilian setting, they're just getting started.
I also don't think this season will reach the amazing heights of Season 1, but it's still too early to know for sure, and even if it's half as good, that is still very good.
I'm hooked again. I think most viewers will be as well.