Trial and Error Review: The Murder Clock / A Hole in the Case (Season 2 Episodes 3 and 4)

On the one hand, Trial and Error airing two episodes at a time is saddening because it feels like a “summer burn-off,” only airing episodes two at a time because they have to get rid of them quickly.

On the other hand, watching two episodes at once gives viewers the most bang for their buck in terms of the case unfolding, and not being left hanging after an episode-ending twist.

Trial and Error Season 2 Episode 3, “The Murder Clock,” attacks the prosecution’s timeline of the case. Because the victim was killed with an East Peck Clock, it erases the prosecution’s original timeline which was on North Peck Time. (Also, just let me say that having two time zones in one area is hysterical. It’s very Pawnee/Eagleton of them).

Immediately following, Trial and Error Season 2 Episode 4, “A Hole in the Case,” starts by Josh poking holes in the prosecution’s case, but ends with some holes poked in his own.

The case isn’t as cut and dry as Josh initially believed, but for every break he gets, there’s another complication that makes Lavinia Peck-Foster look guilty.

In my review of Trial and Error Season 2 Episodes 1 and 2, I mentioned that Kristin Chenoweth is a good but different replacement for John Lithgow, but you can still really feel the hole that Lithgow left in the show.  The next two episodes, save for one on the nose reference to Lithgow, nearly make you forget him completely.

Even Chenoweth feels more like a (still really funny) guest star and less like the center of attention while the comedic talents of Nicholas D’Agosto, Jayma Mays, Sherri Shepherd, and Steven Boyer really take center stage.

Boyer and Shepherd have really mastered the physical comedy element to the show, and these two episodes really illustrate their versatility. Boyer has spot-on comedic delivery, and Shepherd’s commitment to Anne’s various conditions make for some really fun physical moments.

Anne randomly raising her hand served both the show’s physical comedy and set up several dumb and immature jokes that fit perfectly within the context of the show.

Nicholas D’Agosto and Jayma Mays, on the other hand, have mastered their characters’ inherent silliness and have fully committed to the mounting sexual tension between Josh and Carol Anne.

Since Carol Anne is so hot and cold, Josh has developed a pretty strong flirtationship with Nina, the M-Town podcaster, which throws a gigantic wrench in his relationship with Carol Anne, even though there’s only a 1/6th chance that he’s the father. D’Agosto gets to be upbeat, enthusiastic, and cheesy while Mays becomes increasingly ridiculous with a straight face.

On the whole, Season 2 of Trial and Error really seems to capture the spirit of the Season 1. It originally seemed that they were going to take things in a wildly different direction with Lavinia Peck-Foster versus Larry Henderson.

Now, though their personalities are still wildly different, the story has become basically the same. Every time the case looks like it’s going to go one way, it goes another.

The formula is basically the same, but it’s working. The jokes land, the actors have a lot to do, and there are surprising twists at every turn.

A few other stray thoughts:

• I really want to rename all the people in my life as if they’re from East Peck. Mickey Moose. Sturgill Obvious. E-Bay. These are some of the best names I’ve ever heard.
• While we’re on names, John Lith-goat was one of the best references this show has ever made. It has ridiculous East Peck names, Dwayne’s silliness, and a Season 1 callback all in one.
• Maybe I just want to live in East Peck. I now have a hankering to attend East Peck Community College for a degree in Books or Veterinary Gynecology.
• Always good to see Jim O’Heir, but causes me to constantly think about Jerry Gergich instead of what’s happening in the show. (Second Parks and Recreation reference of this review!)

Trial and Error Season 2 is really working. It’s funny. The show’s sense of humor (regardless of how juvenile some may consider it) fits well.

The characters are all getting chances to shine and the case is just as good as last year’s. If you’re looking for a silly, hilarious summer show, look no further.

What did you think of this episode of Trial and Error? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Trial and Error airs Thursdays at 9/8c on NBC.

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