Trial and Error Review: The Suitcase / The Timeline (Season 2 Episodes 1 and 2)

After a long wait, Trial and Error has finally returned and has done so two-fold. Trial and Error Season 2 Episode 1, “The Suitcase,” introduces the audience to the new “killer,” played by Kristin Chenoweth.

Then in a double dose, Trial and Error Season 2 Episode 2, “The Timeline,” further explores small-town politics as the trial begins to take shape.

Lavinia Peck-Foster is a staple of East Peck, SC and is beloved by many, which creates a very OJ-like quality throughout the first two episodes. Kristin Chenoweth is particularly well-suited to the role of the new (alleged) murderer.

She’s no John Lithgow, but she’s pretty great regardless. Lavinia Peck-Foster creates a stark contrast from Larry Henderson, her charming nonchalance reading much differently than his lovable ignorance.

Chenoweth is excellent in the role because she recognizes the differences and leans into them, rather than trying to be too much like her predecessor.

(That, and she SINGS. Nobody is better suited to THAT than Kristin Chenoweth).

The majority of the publicity for Trial and Error is geared toward the new “Lady Killer,” but the stronger elements of both “The Suitcase” and “The Timeline” are when the show catches up with the returning characters.

Josh has recently purchased a home in East Peck and is obsessed with becoming a local, though they continually reject him. Dwayne Reed is back on the police force, and Anne has a whole host of new and interesting diseases. Adding depth to these characters makes the show feel more well-rounded.

Perhaps the most compelling, though, is Carol Anne Keane’s surprise pregnancy. It adds a ton of layers to perhaps the show’s most complicated character, and it gives the talented Jayma Mays more chances to shine.

Though Josh was not her only gentleman caller during the first season, “The Suitcase” and “The Timeline” strongly imply that Josh is, in fact, the father. This will certainly further complicate their already thorny professional relationship. Since Josh and Carol Anne’s relationship was a touchstone of Season 1, complicating it further makes for a higher stakes Season 2.

Also, it didn’t take long at ALL for Josh and Carol Anne to wind up back in each other’s arms, and it is delicious.

I hate to go back to this, but throughout these first two episodes, you can feel the gap that John Lithgow left in his wake. He was the heart and soul of the first season.

However, the creative team clearly recognizes the need to step up their game without a vet like Lithgow around. Sure, Chenoweth is excellent, but she’s not a seasoned TV star like Lithgow.

That said, so far in Season 2, Trial and Error is a much tighter, better-executed show than I remember from Season 1. The ridiculous gets more ridiculous, the jokes are funnier and fly more frequently, and the regular players are fully realized, giving Trial and Error an excellent start to its sophomore season.

A few other stray thoughts:

• The judge being unintelligible to Josh but clear to everyone else is a gag that doesn’t seem to be landing. However, the judge’s name (Alexander Kamiltow) works much better with the show’s juvenile (but still hilarious) humor surrounding things like “East Peck.”
• Anne has had some excellent rare diseases in the show’s short run, but perhaps the best yet is “The Jumping Frenchman of Maine.”
• The case seems to be starting off a lot better for Josh and company this time. Since they started off poorly last time, that could be an indicator that things are about to go off the rails, and quickly.
• Introducing a Serial-like podcast into the mix was an excellent touch. It complements the podunk town with a modern, hipster element.

Overall, the return of Trial and Error is tight. The show is much clearer about what it is, the humor lands, and the characters have clear intentions and goals to start the season. Presumably, the ride will get pretty crazy from here on out, but that’s all part of the fun!

What did you think of these episodes 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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