Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 10 “Barcelona” (B-)
If nothing else, Josh managed to score a major victory against the first lady of East Peck: tricking her into confessing on the stand. Nothing ever really works out on this show though, and of course her brief incarceration would end with her loyal houseboy helping her escape so that she could finally make her way to Barcelona, which she loves pronouncing in her own unique way. If this show should be renewed for a third season, which really isn’t all that likely since NBC burned this run off in the summer, Lavinia surely won’t be a part of it, and we have a brand-new case already lined up with the voicemail left pleading for a reopening of the witch trial case from shockingly recent times. While I was incredibly excited for this season after the first one ended without any word about continuation, but I got a bit tired of how absurd this show got this year. What I enjoyed most was the continued focus on Carol Anne, who managed to win the race despite considerable odds against her. Sadly, Josh isn’t the father, though the comatose mayor isn’t much competition. It’s sweet to see the relationship that’s developed between Carol Anne and Josh, and the fact that it’s among the most believable aspects of this show says a lot about how ridiculous it is. I think I’d still tune in for a third season, but if I had to campaign for a comedy series to be kept on the air, this isn’t the one I’d throw my support behind anymore.
Season grade: B
Season MVP: Jayma Mays as Carol Anne
Showing posts with label Trial and Error. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trial and Error. Show all posts
Saturday, September 1, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 9 “A Big Break” (B-)
This show keeps on getting more and more ridiculous, though I recognize that this isn’t a special moment at which things have really gone off the deep end. Instead, we have Anne’s most absurd condition yet, where she can’t open her eyes and somehow manages to function normally by painting eyes on her closed eyelids, and discovering Lavinia’s method of spying on the team doesn’t end up giving them the upper hand. Mickey Moose’s death threw the whole town for a loop, though it also revealed Lavinia’s cockiness, going through the many steps she took to kill anyone in her way without Josh even prompting her for such a detailed confession. Of course the town of East Peck would release prisoners on an honor system for this day of mourning, and not one of them would try to run since they were all broken up about the passing of their beloved town animal. Carol Anne’s determination to finish out the case before she had the baby failed somewhat miserably thanks to her water breaking and her voice dropping ten octaves while she was examining a witness, and though it looked quite painful for him, kudos to Josh for sticking it out and being by her side, even without knowing whether he’s the father. Nina was into the look he gave her, and hopefully her joy at not being offed by Lavinia will help her forgive Josh for rushing out to be with his maybe baby-mama. Dwayne hardly seems in control of his bodily functions, with soiling himself upon discovery of the gold standing as a high point in comparison to his near-death by autoerotic asphyxiation before he even actually got started.
This show keeps on getting more and more ridiculous, though I recognize that this isn’t a special moment at which things have really gone off the deep end. Instead, we have Anne’s most absurd condition yet, where she can’t open her eyes and somehow manages to function normally by painting eyes on her closed eyelids, and discovering Lavinia’s method of spying on the team doesn’t end up giving them the upper hand. Mickey Moose’s death threw the whole town for a loop, though it also revealed Lavinia’s cockiness, going through the many steps she took to kill anyone in her way without Josh even prompting her for such a detailed confession. Of course the town of East Peck would release prisoners on an honor system for this day of mourning, and not one of them would try to run since they were all broken up about the passing of their beloved town animal. Carol Anne’s determination to finish out the case before she had the baby failed somewhat miserably thanks to her water breaking and her voice dropping ten octaves while she was examining a witness, and though it looked quite painful for him, kudos to Josh for sticking it out and being by her side, even without knowing whether he’s the father. Nina was into the look he gave her, and hopefully her joy at not being offed by Lavinia will help her forgive Josh for rushing out to be with his maybe baby-mama. Dwayne hardly seems in control of his bodily functions, with soiling himself upon discovery of the gold standing as a high point in comparison to his near-death by autoerotic asphyxiation before he even actually got started.
Tuesday, August 28, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 8 “Bad Instincts” (B)
I’m realizing just how close we are to the end here, with no news on the possibility of a third season yet and just two episodes left to conclude this storyline. It’s seeming more and more like Dwayne isn’t actually Lavinia’s son, but I think he still may be and she just doesn’t care if she manipulates him at all. His attempts to start acting smart since he was now a Peck weren’t nearly as successful as he hoped, but it was entertaining, and perceiving brunch as dipping bread into punch was one of his best pearls of wisdom. Planting a video camera in his tie clip was a shrewd move, and now she’ll be on to the fact that Dwayne has hear real passport, which may implicate her more than she thinks. I’ve had about enough of Jesse Ray Beaumont and his naked tackling of Josh, and I much prefer Josh spooning with Carol Anne in her mobile hospital bed. That was a clever way for her to stay involved and relevant, and at least she’s crushing one of her opponents in the polls. Josh and Carol Anne seem like a more likely couple than Josh and Nina, but she’s sticking around too and becoming very involved in the office chanting. Anne’s latest condition didn’t affect much other than her doing a lot of peculiar things like use a giant spoon to take what she thought was a very tiny sample. It’s understandable that it had variable effects on her relationship with her husband as well.
I’m realizing just how close we are to the end here, with no news on the possibility of a third season yet and just two episodes left to conclude this storyline. It’s seeming more and more like Dwayne isn’t actually Lavinia’s son, but I think he still may be and she just doesn’t care if she manipulates him at all. His attempts to start acting smart since he was now a Peck weren’t nearly as successful as he hoped, but it was entertaining, and perceiving brunch as dipping bread into punch was one of his best pearls of wisdom. Planting a video camera in his tie clip was a shrewd move, and now she’ll be on to the fact that Dwayne has hear real passport, which may implicate her more than she thinks. I’ve had about enough of Jesse Ray Beaumont and his naked tackling of Josh, and I much prefer Josh spooning with Carol Anne in her mobile hospital bed. That was a clever way for her to stay involved and relevant, and at least she’s crushing one of her opponents in the polls. Josh and Carol Anne seem like a more likely couple than Josh and Nina, but she’s sticking around too and becoming very involved in the office chanting. Anne’s latest condition didn’t affect much other than her doing a lot of peculiar things like use a giant spoon to take what she thought was a very tiny sample. It’s understandable that it had variable effects on her relationship with her husband as well.
Monday, August 27, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 7 “A Family Affair” (B)
This show just went and solved a mystery we didn’t even know existed. Dwayne’s intelligence isn’t high, even for a resident of this town, and he’s never really talked about his mother that I can remember. Believing that she died two weeks before he was born shows that he doesn’t have a clue, but the worst thing he could ever have learned is that he’s a Peck. The age difference didn’t track for me, but apparently Kristin Chenoweth is indeed fifty years old in real life and actor Steven Boyer, who I had no idea was a past Tony nominee, is thirty-three. How that factors into the murder of Lavinia’s brother is unknown, since apparently she somehow still has her passport that shows that she was in Spain when she is alleged to have killed him. Josh’s luck is running out, and going through the photo of his colleagues who are all doing much, much better than him was his best way to cope with the bags of feces constantly being delivered to his office. Dwayne and Anne getting high to simulate Dr. Rock N’ Law’s frame of mind during the case was predictably unhelpful, and Carol Anne going into labor right after getting the endorsement from Lavinia was probably the worst timing she could have scheduled since it makes her look, more than anything, like a woman. The tidbits from the 1988 case are entertaining, particularly that Judge Kamiltow was going to end on his last case to become a baritone singer at Lincoln Center as long as nothing happened to his voice.
This show just went and solved a mystery we didn’t even know existed. Dwayne’s intelligence isn’t high, even for a resident of this town, and he’s never really talked about his mother that I can remember. Believing that she died two weeks before he was born shows that he doesn’t have a clue, but the worst thing he could ever have learned is that he’s a Peck. The age difference didn’t track for me, but apparently Kristin Chenoweth is indeed fifty years old in real life and actor Steven Boyer, who I had no idea was a past Tony nominee, is thirty-three. How that factors into the murder of Lavinia’s brother is unknown, since apparently she somehow still has her passport that shows that she was in Spain when she is alleged to have killed him. Josh’s luck is running out, and going through the photo of his colleagues who are all doing much, much better than him was his best way to cope with the bags of feces constantly being delivered to his office. Dwayne and Anne getting high to simulate Dr. Rock N’ Law’s frame of mind during the case was predictably unhelpful, and Carol Anne going into labor right after getting the endorsement from Lavinia was probably the worst timing she could have scheduled since it makes her look, more than anything, like a woman. The tidbits from the 1988 case are entertaining, particularly that Judge Kamiltow was going to end on his last case to become a baritone singer at Lincoln Center as long as nothing happened to his voice.
Monday, August 20, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 6 “New Case, Old Murder” (B)
This show just got very dark, transforming Lavinia from someone who got away with murder to a powerful heiress with her aims set very squarely on Josh. Calling him “lawyer” makes him seem less like a person and more like a target. Larry always called him Josh, and we also found out eventually that he didn’t do it, while the question now is who Lavinia killed, not if she killed someone. Getting caught on the hot mic in the bathroom congratulating herself on getting away with murder wasn’t helpful since she can’t be retried for the same case, and Carol Anne seems much more concerned with restoring her good name and winning a retrial than helping her number one foot masseur to convict Lavinia for something everyone is aware that she did. It was good to see Jaleel White, best known as Steve Urkel from “Family Matters” and more recently seen on the short-lived “Me, Myself, and I,” as Atticus Ditto, Jr., Carol Anne’s key rival who kept trying to make his campaign pitch every time he spoke, only to be followed up by Carol Anne’s own efforts to curry favor with her voters. Dwayne deputizing Ann was downright scary, and this place is just getting more and more ridiculous. I’m not sure what was more awkward – Josh’s frequent diarrhea or the way he acted when both Carol Anne and Nina were around him at the same time. I particularly enjoyed their reactions to seeing each other on the boards that def definitely didn’t have to do with murder.
This show just got very dark, transforming Lavinia from someone who got away with murder to a powerful heiress with her aims set very squarely on Josh. Calling him “lawyer” makes him seem less like a person and more like a target. Larry always called him Josh, and we also found out eventually that he didn’t do it, while the question now is who Lavinia killed, not if she killed someone. Getting caught on the hot mic in the bathroom congratulating herself on getting away with murder wasn’t helpful since she can’t be retried for the same case, and Carol Anne seems much more concerned with restoring her good name and winning a retrial than helping her number one foot masseur to convict Lavinia for something everyone is aware that she did. It was good to see Jaleel White, best known as Steve Urkel from “Family Matters” and more recently seen on the short-lived “Me, Myself, and I,” as Atticus Ditto, Jr., Carol Anne’s key rival who kept trying to make his campaign pitch every time he spoke, only to be followed up by Carol Anne’s own efforts to curry favor with her voters. Dwayne deputizing Ann was downright scary, and this place is just getting more and more ridiculous. I’m not sure what was more awkward – Josh’s frequent diarrhea or the way he acted when both Carol Anne and Nina were around him at the same time. I particularly enjoyed their reactions to seeing each other on the boards that def definitely didn’t have to do with murder.
Saturday, August 18, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 5 “A Change in the Team” (B)
I was a bit surprised that things seemed to be wrapping up midseason, and I wondered what case might next fall to Josh and his one-person team. I had expected that this case was going to turn out the same way as the first one, with no one really having murdered the dead man, but instead, we got something different: Josh was on top of the world, ready to have the night of his life with Nina and enjoy eternal admiration from Lavinia, but now he has a much more arduous task in front of him. He knows that Lavinia killed Freda, which makes whether she killed Edgar somewhat irrelevant since that’s still a murder, but he’s had the case tossed in his favor after Carol Anne totally lost her cool and went berserk in front of the judge. Having Dwayne back on the team is a good thing, especially since he admitted in court that he thought Lavinia had done it, but I’m not sure he and Anne will believe Josh when he shares what he knows with them. Something tells me that Lavinia is going to be held in even higher esteem now that she’s been exonerated, and getting some sort of justice, which is what Josh is going to try hard to do, is going to prove exceptionally difficult if not impossible. Anne’s comments about getting Josh in Secret Santa and office parties being weird were a little much for me since there’s only so much suspension of disbelief possible when tuning in to this show.
I was a bit surprised that things seemed to be wrapping up midseason, and I wondered what case might next fall to Josh and his one-person team. I had expected that this case was going to turn out the same way as the first one, with no one really having murdered the dead man, but instead, we got something different: Josh was on top of the world, ready to have the night of his life with Nina and enjoy eternal admiration from Lavinia, but now he has a much more arduous task in front of him. He knows that Lavinia killed Freda, which makes whether she killed Edgar somewhat irrelevant since that’s still a murder, but he’s had the case tossed in his favor after Carol Anne totally lost her cool and went berserk in front of the judge. Having Dwayne back on the team is a good thing, especially since he admitted in court that he thought Lavinia had done it, but I’m not sure he and Anne will believe Josh when he shares what he knows with them. Something tells me that Lavinia is going to be held in even higher esteem now that she’s been exonerated, and getting some sort of justice, which is what Josh is going to try hard to do, is going to prove exceptionally difficult if not impossible. Anne’s comments about getting Josh in Secret Santa and office parties being weird were a little much for me since there’s only so much suspension of disbelief possible when tuning in to this show.
Monday, August 13, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 4 “A Hole in the Case” (B)
The latest of Anne’s conditions didn’t have the disastrous effect I had expected – which was her owing a whole lot of money for the auction item she accidentally raised her hand to bid on – but it did present a major breakthrough in the case for the prosecution that explained how Lavinia could indeed have killed her husband and transported him a far distance without actually moving herself. Of course the town of East Peck would have a guy named E-bay known for having and selling things but who had no connection to the famed website of the same name. The revelation of the unnamed houseboy as a potential suspect didn’t go too far, and Lavinia’s double identity as her childhood friend wasn’t all that relevant either. It was fun to see Jim O’Heir, best known as Jerry from “Parks and Recreation,” as handwriting expert Michael Poisson, who complimented Anne’s style and then tore apart Josh’s less-than-masculine writing when Carol Anne presented it in court to bait Josh into getting worked up. Carol Anne’s campaign is an entertaining subplot, distracting voters from the fact that she’s pregnant and that she’s a woman, two things that aren’t usually this exaggerated but might unfortunately deter some less evolved members of society. This show always goes over the top, especially with its “lady driver” device that’s referenced at least once an episode this season, but under it all there are definitely some echoes of truth that go over best when presented in such a mocking format.
The latest of Anne’s conditions didn’t have the disastrous effect I had expected – which was her owing a whole lot of money for the auction item she accidentally raised her hand to bid on – but it did present a major breakthrough in the case for the prosecution that explained how Lavinia could indeed have killed her husband and transported him a far distance without actually moving herself. Of course the town of East Peck would have a guy named E-bay known for having and selling things but who had no connection to the famed website of the same name. The revelation of the unnamed houseboy as a potential suspect didn’t go too far, and Lavinia’s double identity as her childhood friend wasn’t all that relevant either. It was fun to see Jim O’Heir, best known as Jerry from “Parks and Recreation,” as handwriting expert Michael Poisson, who complimented Anne’s style and then tore apart Josh’s less-than-masculine writing when Carol Anne presented it in court to bait Josh into getting worked up. Carol Anne’s campaign is an entertaining subplot, distracting voters from the fact that she’s pregnant and that she’s a woman, two things that aren’t usually this exaggerated but might unfortunately deter some less evolved members of society. This show always goes over the top, especially with its “lady driver” device that’s referenced at least once an episode this season, but under it all there are definitely some echoes of truth that go over best when presented in such a mocking format.
Sunday, August 12, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 3 “The Murder Clock” (B)
This show continues to get sillier and sillier, which I realize is the idea, though at least it’s still quite entertaining. Lavinia is even more skilled than Larry at making herself look guilty, getting caught in disguise shoplifting and then carrying a plate to throw at Josh to the courtroom while claiming that she couldn’t even be bothered to bring her wallet. As if the court wasn’t already prejudiced against Carol Anne, we learned that her youthful flair was part of the reason that Judge Kamiltow’s voice ascended so many octaves that he’s now impossible to understand. Carol Anne’s emotions are all over the place in this exaggerated portrayal of pregnancy, and stopping by Josh’s house in a fragile moment only to see him shielding Nina from the cannonball that nearly took her out despite assurances from his realtor that he was out of range won’t make their professional or personal relationship any easier. Josh was plenty awkward whenever he realized that Nina had showed up right behind him while he was talking to the camera, and as if always the case on mockumentary shows like this, he would probably be better served not to talk quite as freely about secretive things while on camera and in public. While there were some shocking developments, we’re not really any closer to figuring out how might be guilty in a case that I imagine will resolve itself in a way similar to last year’s, with the late husband likely being felled by a falling clock pushed by no one.
This show continues to get sillier and sillier, which I realize is the idea, though at least it’s still quite entertaining. Lavinia is even more skilled than Larry at making herself look guilty, getting caught in disguise shoplifting and then carrying a plate to throw at Josh to the courtroom while claiming that she couldn’t even be bothered to bring her wallet. As if the court wasn’t already prejudiced against Carol Anne, we learned that her youthful flair was part of the reason that Judge Kamiltow’s voice ascended so many octaves that he’s now impossible to understand. Carol Anne’s emotions are all over the place in this exaggerated portrayal of pregnancy, and stopping by Josh’s house in a fragile moment only to see him shielding Nina from the cannonball that nearly took her out despite assurances from his realtor that he was out of range won’t make their professional or personal relationship any easier. Josh was plenty awkward whenever he realized that Nina had showed up right behind him while he was talking to the camera, and as if always the case on mockumentary shows like this, he would probably be better served not to talk quite as freely about secretive things while on camera and in public. While there were some shocking developments, we’re not really any closer to figuring out how might be guilty in a case that I imagine will resolve itself in a way similar to last year’s, with the late husband likely being felled by a falling clock pushed by no one.
Wednesday, July 25, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 2 “The Timeline” (B)
I want to love and enjoy this show as much as I did in season one, and then I remember that it actually took me some time to get into it, since it can be pretty absurd on a regular basis. Things like Anne throwing a suitcase with Dwayne in it down a hill aren’t quite as funny as they should be, and I think most of it rests on how Lavinia holds up as the principal subject on trial in this season. Josh was getting way too cocky with his celebration of how the case was going, and Lavinia still doesn’t seem to understand, or care, how the criminal justice system is supposed to work, declaring “all rise” and “be seated” when she walked into the courtroom, even getting the judge to comply with her instructions. Carol Anne succeeded marvelously in getting every single one of the prospective jurors dismissed, as if Lavinia taking a photo of herself lying across them saying “innocent” wasn’t damning enough, making the case for a bench trial which will still prove difficult for her to win given the judge’s admiration for the woman on trial. The introduction of podcaster Nina Rudolph means a new face in the office and a new love interest for Josh, though Carol Anne video-calling him with her shirt off made a pretty lasting impression at the start of what could have been a relationship. I’m eager to see what her contributions will be to the overall dynamic on the show and to see what comes next in this wacky trial.
I want to love and enjoy this show as much as I did in season one, and then I remember that it actually took me some time to get into it, since it can be pretty absurd on a regular basis. Things like Anne throwing a suitcase with Dwayne in it down a hill aren’t quite as funny as they should be, and I think most of it rests on how Lavinia holds up as the principal subject on trial in this season. Josh was getting way too cocky with his celebration of how the case was going, and Lavinia still doesn’t seem to understand, or care, how the criminal justice system is supposed to work, declaring “all rise” and “be seated” when she walked into the courtroom, even getting the judge to comply with her instructions. Carol Anne succeeded marvelously in getting every single one of the prospective jurors dismissed, as if Lavinia taking a photo of herself lying across them saying “innocent” wasn’t damning enough, making the case for a bench trial which will still prove difficult for her to win given the judge’s admiration for the woman on trial. The introduction of podcaster Nina Rudolph means a new face in the office and a new love interest for Josh, though Carol Anne video-calling him with her shirt off made a pretty lasting impression at the start of what could have been a relationship. I’m eager to see what her contributions will be to the overall dynamic on the show and to see what comes next in this wacky trial.
Tuesday, July 24, 2018
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error (Season Premiere)
Trial and Error: Season 2, Episode 1 “The Suitcase” (B)
I was so excited to learn that this show was coming back because it’s been well over a year since season one ended. John Lithgow really was a tremendous part of this show’s tone and energy, and I suppose that if there was anyone with as much flair and character as him, it would be Kristin Chenoweth. Casting her as the first lady of East Peck who was caught by police with her husband’s body in the trunk is unquestionably entertaining, and she made quite the impression in this opening installment. She’s inappropriate with Josh in a whole different way, not at all aware of boundaries and unwilling to accept rules like the pool being a crime scene. I’m not so into the judge speaking in a way that Josh can’t even understand, and I did feel like there were a few elements of this episode that felt more exaggerated than they were in season one, which is saying something. I loved all of Anne’s antics and conditions, but her jumping high when she gets startled thing isn’t nearly as great. Dwayne shooting himself in the foot also felt a bit literal. The law about women having to drive with a crossing guard waving red flags in front of them is also patently absurd in a way that I guess this show has made its signature element. No matter what, I’m happy that we get another round of time in this crazy town with another case that seems like surefire, undeniable guilt yet somehow will turn out not to be.
I was so excited to learn that this show was coming back because it’s been well over a year since season one ended. John Lithgow really was a tremendous part of this show’s tone and energy, and I suppose that if there was anyone with as much flair and character as him, it would be Kristin Chenoweth. Casting her as the first lady of East Peck who was caught by police with her husband’s body in the trunk is unquestionably entertaining, and she made quite the impression in this opening installment. She’s inappropriate with Josh in a whole different way, not at all aware of boundaries and unwilling to accept rules like the pool being a crime scene. I’m not so into the judge speaking in a way that Josh can’t even understand, and I did feel like there were a few elements of this episode that felt more exaggerated than they were in season one, which is saying something. I loved all of Anne’s antics and conditions, but her jumping high when she gets startled thing isn’t nearly as great. Dwayne shooting himself in the foot also felt a bit literal. The law about women having to drive with a crossing guard waving red flags in front of them is also patently absurd in a way that I guess this show has made its signature element. No matter what, I’m happy that we get another round of time in this crazy town with another case that seems like surefire, undeniable guilt yet somehow will turn out not to be.
Sunday, April 30, 2017
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error (Season Finale)
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episodes 12 and 13 “Chapter 12: The Defense Rests” and “Chapter 13: The Verdict” (B+)
I don’t think I could have dreamed up a more fitting finale for this show. There were a lot of ups, like Josh’s heartfelt closing statement that was from the heart and scripted at the same time, followed by troubling question marks, like the jury deliberating for just minutes. Larry getting sent to prison made it so that everyone was able to go back to what they had been doing before, with Josh returning to New York, Anne moving on to something else that wasn’t really right for her, and Dwayne returning to being the world’s least safe cop. Josh chanting “Murder board!” to himself while he was trying to poke a hole in the case was entertaining, and it managed to work, with his discovery of Dave as the apparent culprit. Anne’s latest disorder, one of her more normative ones, came in extremely handy to help Summer crack Margaret’s phone password, revealing what really happened. The owl as the murderer was a great twist, and even though everyone in East Peck is still convinced that Larry must have murdered her despite that clear evidence, it’s nice to know that they weren’t even a little bit close to the truth the whole time. And with that, he has another case on his docket, this time from someone who very much seems to have done it. I really hope that this show earns a second season renewal since it really deserves it, and I’d love to see the whole team back again for another thirteen episodes, or ideally even more!
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Steven Boyer as Dwayne
I don’t think I could have dreamed up a more fitting finale for this show. There were a lot of ups, like Josh’s heartfelt closing statement that was from the heart and scripted at the same time, followed by troubling question marks, like the jury deliberating for just minutes. Larry getting sent to prison made it so that everyone was able to go back to what they had been doing before, with Josh returning to New York, Anne moving on to something else that wasn’t really right for her, and Dwayne returning to being the world’s least safe cop. Josh chanting “Murder board!” to himself while he was trying to poke a hole in the case was entertaining, and it managed to work, with his discovery of Dave as the apparent culprit. Anne’s latest disorder, one of her more normative ones, came in extremely handy to help Summer crack Margaret’s phone password, revealing what really happened. The owl as the murderer was a great twist, and even though everyone in East Peck is still convinced that Larry must have murdered her despite that clear evidence, it’s nice to know that they weren’t even a little bit close to the truth the whole time. And with that, he has another case on his docket, this time from someone who very much seems to have done it. I really hope that this show earns a second season renewal since it really deserves it, and I’d love to see the whole team back again for another thirteen episodes, or ideally even more!
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Steven Boyer as Dwayne
Thursday, April 20, 2017
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episode 11 “Chapter 11: Unusual Suspect” (B+)
Even though I’m over a week behind, I still wanted to make sure to review this episode on its own since it aired separately as a bonus installment. While I don’t think there’s any reason that NBC is showing this show two episodes at a time and no reason that this one aired independently without a second half-hour after it other than there being thirteen episodes ordered, I’d still like to think that this is a special extra treat for an underrated show that’s all but guaranteed to be cancelled and relegated to television oblivion. The case took a very boring turn with individual testimony about each of the shards, but fortunately that didn’t last long since Josh tried to get started on preparing his defense. Summer going on the stand was a good idea at the start, but the fact that she hated her stepmother turned out to be me more than a bit problematic. Putting Anne on the stand and having her belt her heart out for the jury was smart, and it only took one question and one innocent yet wrong response from Anne for Carol Anne to discredit her. Josh coming up with the plan to treat Summer as a suspect was brilliant, and it’s just too bad that Larry, stupid as he is, is hopelessly loyal to his daughter, and therefore decided to confess so that he could spare her being targeted. Something tells me that the throwaway revelation that Larry has a twin brother – naturally named Harry – won’t be so soon forgotten. Dwayne getting high to recreate Summer’s state of mind was predictably absurd, and Anne falling asleep while driving was pretty horrific. My favorite line of the episode came from Dwayne: “I know what you’re thinking, ghost phone!”
Even though I’m over a week behind, I still wanted to make sure to review this episode on its own since it aired separately as a bonus installment. While I don’t think there’s any reason that NBC is showing this show two episodes at a time and no reason that this one aired independently without a second half-hour after it other than there being thirteen episodes ordered, I’d still like to think that this is a special extra treat for an underrated show that’s all but guaranteed to be cancelled and relegated to television oblivion. The case took a very boring turn with individual testimony about each of the shards, but fortunately that didn’t last long since Josh tried to get started on preparing his defense. Summer going on the stand was a good idea at the start, but the fact that she hated her stepmother turned out to be me more than a bit problematic. Putting Anne on the stand and having her belt her heart out for the jury was smart, and it only took one question and one innocent yet wrong response from Anne for Carol Anne to discredit her. Josh coming up with the plan to treat Summer as a suspect was brilliant, and it’s just too bad that Larry, stupid as he is, is hopelessly loyal to his daughter, and therefore decided to confess so that he could spare her being targeted. Something tells me that the throwaway revelation that Larry has a twin brother – naturally named Harry – won’t be so soon forgotten. Dwayne getting high to recreate Summer’s state of mind was predictably absurd, and Anne falling asleep while driving was pretty horrific. My favorite line of the episode came from Dwayne: “I know what you’re thinking, ghost phone!”
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episodes 9 and 10 “Chapter 9: Opening Statements” and “Chapter 10: A Hostile Jury” (B+)
The absurdity on this show reached new fantastic heights in this episode, starting with a video game simulation of Larry killing his wife which got even Larry to applaud. I loved the jingle that got written for the commercial for East Peck Glass, which managed to find the perfect way to advertise after Larry through at least one person out a window, which didn’t make him look particularly innocent. There were a lot of ups and downs in this episode regarding the case, with Rutger’s surprise non-comatose appearance in court coming at the worst possible time since Josh was trying to paint him as a monster, and then the revelation that he was faking being in a coma ended up zeroing things out since he promptly tripped and fell right into a coma. Alfonzo testifying wasn’t terrible until Larry convinced him he didn’t mean anything to him and then threw him out the window, but that was negated when Alfonso eagerly accepted Larry’s heartfelt and strangely helpful profession of affection. The very long graphic testimony read back multiple times was amusing but not as great in my mind as things like Josh being encouraged to change his hairstyle and use the word “buttload” instead of “preponderance,” and lines like Larry’s “Don’t judge me, I already have a jury for that” and Dwayne’s “I don’t think, I operate purely on instinct.” The jury being sequestered is good, but Larry being fully aware that he has Margaret’s cell phone in his drawer means that he’s definitely hiding something and not entirely guilty only of saying stupid things.
The absurdity on this show reached new fantastic heights in this episode, starting with a video game simulation of Larry killing his wife which got even Larry to applaud. I loved the jingle that got written for the commercial for East Peck Glass, which managed to find the perfect way to advertise after Larry through at least one person out a window, which didn’t make him look particularly innocent. There were a lot of ups and downs in this episode regarding the case, with Rutger’s surprise non-comatose appearance in court coming at the worst possible time since Josh was trying to paint him as a monster, and then the revelation that he was faking being in a coma ended up zeroing things out since he promptly tripped and fell right into a coma. Alfonzo testifying wasn’t terrible until Larry convinced him he didn’t mean anything to him and then threw him out the window, but that was negated when Alfonso eagerly accepted Larry’s heartfelt and strangely helpful profession of affection. The very long graphic testimony read back multiple times was amusing but not as great in my mind as things like Josh being encouraged to change his hairstyle and use the word “buttload” instead of “preponderance,” and lines like Larry’s “Don’t judge me, I already have a jury for that” and Dwayne’s “I don’t think, I operate purely on instinct.” The jury being sequestered is good, but Larry being fully aware that he has Margaret’s cell phone in his drawer means that he’s definitely hiding something and not entirely guilty only of saying stupid things.
Thursday, April 13, 2017
What I’m Watching: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episodes 7 and 8 “Chapter 7: The Case Gets Bigger” and “Chapter 8: A Change in Defense” (B+)
Larry has been going on about how the cable guy never showed up since this show first started, and it’s a wonder that no one has thought of looking into that angle. The arrival of Josh’s boss Howard Mankiewicz, played by Fred Melamed, recently seen on “Casual,” prompted Josh and his team to look into that, but the bigshot lawyer himself dismissed its relevance entirely, looking to bargain down Larry’s sentence with an insanity plea and some Hamilton tickets for the judge. Inviting literally everyone except for Josh to the meeting wasn’t a great start in terms of their relationship, and it was great to see Josh step up his game and go straight to Carol Anne to negotiate with her since he knew that she wanted to make sure he got the death penalty. I love the interactions that Josh and Carol Anne have, highlighted by her repeated question about what he would have done if he had walked in to find her in the bath. Summer’s outdoor boyfriend whose blue soda Larry admitted to drinking was an entertaining subplot, as was her incredibly awkward accidental confession of love and subsequent worse attempt to make it better. Summer switching sides after she realized that Carol Anne was manipulating her was an endearing development, and being happy to not be recognized by Anne was a sign of what represents a victory on this show. Howard’s quote about reasonable doubt requiring reasonable people was extremely fitting, especially for a town where pumpkins are the third industry after tobacco and book-burning. John Lithgow’s delivery of “I don’t want the best, I want you” was also completely perfect.
Larry has been going on about how the cable guy never showed up since this show first started, and it’s a wonder that no one has thought of looking into that angle. The arrival of Josh’s boss Howard Mankiewicz, played by Fred Melamed, recently seen on “Casual,” prompted Josh and his team to look into that, but the bigshot lawyer himself dismissed its relevance entirely, looking to bargain down Larry’s sentence with an insanity plea and some Hamilton tickets for the judge. Inviting literally everyone except for Josh to the meeting wasn’t a great start in terms of their relationship, and it was great to see Josh step up his game and go straight to Carol Anne to negotiate with her since he knew that she wanted to make sure he got the death penalty. I love the interactions that Josh and Carol Anne have, highlighted by her repeated question about what he would have done if he had walked in to find her in the bath. Summer’s outdoor boyfriend whose blue soda Larry admitted to drinking was an entertaining subplot, as was her incredibly awkward accidental confession of love and subsequent worse attempt to make it better. Summer switching sides after she realized that Carol Anne was manipulating her was an endearing development, and being happy to not be recognized by Anne was a sign of what represents a victory on this show. Howard’s quote about reasonable doubt requiring reasonable people was extremely fitting, especially for a town where pumpkins are the third industry after tobacco and book-burning. John Lithgow’s delivery of “I don’t want the best, I want you” was also completely perfect.
Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Take Three: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episodes 5 and 6 “Right-Hand Man” and “Secrets and Lies” (B+)
I’m really starting to like this show, and I was very pleased to find out that it won’t be ending next week after episodes but instead airing at least twelve, with the possibility of a second season still out there, though I’m not sure that the ratings will compel NBC to renew it. This show really does serve as a stylistic successor to “30 Rock,” presenting a world in which a local news channel can conduct lie detector tests on air, a cannon is fired at 5am and 5pm every day since the town doesn’t know which hour the act of cowardice they’re trying to commemorate occurred, and cannons are the third leading cause of death in the official town documents, followed by Larry Henderson! I enjoyed the identification of Larry as “town murderer” and the description of his “walking/murdering stick,” and seeing him object while on the stand during his own trial prep was quite entertaining. It’s not a good sign that Summer is switching sides since her father lied to her his whole life about being her father, and the developments that might point to one of two other possible suspects were far more promising. Of course, Dwayne and Anne are convinced that it has to be a ghost ticket or a one-armed man, and their enthusiasm for chanting “Murder Board!” which was later shared by Josh is fun. Summer’s Carol Anne impression is extremely impressive, and it’s hard to read exactly what’s going on being the ambitious prosecutor and the befuddled Northeasterner. I enjoyed these episodes as a showcase of Dwayne as a good guy who just wanted to be Josh’s right-hand man, and it seems that he’s achieved that after proving his worth just as Josh’s old friend from his firm took advantage of his absence for professional gain.
I’m really starting to like this show, and I was very pleased to find out that it won’t be ending next week after episodes but instead airing at least twelve, with the possibility of a second season still out there, though I’m not sure that the ratings will compel NBC to renew it. This show really does serve as a stylistic successor to “30 Rock,” presenting a world in which a local news channel can conduct lie detector tests on air, a cannon is fired at 5am and 5pm every day since the town doesn’t know which hour the act of cowardice they’re trying to commemorate occurred, and cannons are the third leading cause of death in the official town documents, followed by Larry Henderson! I enjoyed the identification of Larry as “town murderer” and the description of his “walking/murdering stick,” and seeing him object while on the stand during his own trial prep was quite entertaining. It’s not a good sign that Summer is switching sides since her father lied to her his whole life about being her father, and the developments that might point to one of two other possible suspects were far more promising. Of course, Dwayne and Anne are convinced that it has to be a ghost ticket or a one-armed man, and their enthusiasm for chanting “Murder Board!” which was later shared by Josh is fun. Summer’s Carol Anne impression is extremely impressive, and it’s hard to read exactly what’s going on being the ambitious prosecutor and the befuddled Northeasterner. I enjoyed these episodes as a showcase of Dwayne as a good guy who just wanted to be Josh’s right-hand man, and it seems that he’s achieved that after proving his worth just as Josh’s old friend from his firm took advantage of his absence for professional gain.
Tuesday, March 28, 2017
Round Two: Trial and Error
Trial and Error: Season 1, Episodes 3 and 4 “The Other Man” and “An Unwelcome Distraction” (B)
This show is airing two episodes a week, and I feel like I’m enjoying it enough that I can stick with it throughout its run. It continues to be entertaining, with newly absurd facets of the case presented almost every minute. Larry’s brother-in-law having “Taken from us too soon…by Larry Henderson” written on his sister’s casket was hilarious, and just about everything in the legal system of this backwards town seems prejudiced against Larry and any hope of getting him off. Larry himself isn’t helping any, constantly insisting on providing information that will only help lead to his conviction, like a hit-and-run he got away with a year earlier, and celebrating being set free when it was just the latest hiccup in the case averted while he was, as Josh put it, very much still on trial for murder. I like that Josh managed to achieve a brief victory by getting into Carol Anne’s head after she tricked him into giving her a damning piece of evidence. Dwayne continues to provide his idiocy, though both he and Ann actually helped in a minor way with their contributions. It was disappointing to see Kevin Durand, who played a much more serious role on “Lost,” appear for just a brief couple of scenes before getting killed off, and I like the casting of Ginger Gonzaga as a murder-loving stalker who even managed to set off an alarm with Larry that there was something seriously wrong with her. I hope that we’ll see her again, and the sight of her trimming his hedges suggests we very well might.
This show is airing two episodes a week, and I feel like I’m enjoying it enough that I can stick with it throughout its run. It continues to be entertaining, with newly absurd facets of the case presented almost every minute. Larry’s brother-in-law having “Taken from us too soon…by Larry Henderson” written on his sister’s casket was hilarious, and just about everything in the legal system of this backwards town seems prejudiced against Larry and any hope of getting him off. Larry himself isn’t helping any, constantly insisting on providing information that will only help lead to his conviction, like a hit-and-run he got away with a year earlier, and celebrating being set free when it was just the latest hiccup in the case averted while he was, as Josh put it, very much still on trial for murder. I like that Josh managed to achieve a brief victory by getting into Carol Anne’s head after she tricked him into giving her a damning piece of evidence. Dwayne continues to provide his idiocy, though both he and Ann actually helped in a minor way with their contributions. It was disappointing to see Kevin Durand, who played a much more serious role on “Lost,” appear for just a brief couple of scenes before getting killed off, and I like the casting of Ginger Gonzaga as a murder-loving stalker who even managed to set off an alarm with Larry that there was something seriously wrong with her. I hope that we’ll see her again, and the sight of her trimming his hedges suggests we very well might.
Tuesday, March 21, 2017
Pilot Review: Trial and Error
Trial and Error (NBC)
Premiered March 14 at 10pm
The mockumentary-style sitcom has become increasingly popular in recent years since “The Office” used it and many others followed suit. Such a format can be used in any setting, and we don’t even see it played out in a courtroom. This show is probably most comparable to “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” in the absurdity of all of its events and the backwards laws – like “death by bear” – that couldn’t have ever been even remotely legal in less sophisticated times. The insistence that a “Northeasterner” – code for “Jewish” – represent John Lithgow’s Larry was just the tip of the iceberg, with the guards at the courthouse allowing in a firearm that they complimented and confiscating lip balm because they heard the word “balm” serving as among the most ridiculous. The team that Nick D’Agosto’s Josh has assembled is also absurd, with a private investigator who used to be a cop but left his patrol car in reverse and a secretary who can’t recognize faces and passes out whenever she sees anything beautiful. Add to that a client who cares more about his skate wrench than his murdered wife, may have killed his first wife, and always seems to say something incriminating and unhelpful when given the opportunity. This show is pretty wild, but it’s not all that bad. I like D’Agosto here much more than I did on “Heroes” or “Masters of Sex,” and there’s no question that Lithgow is right for this role. I also like Jayma Mays (who used to be on “Heroes” too), and this is a fun part for her. I might be back to check out a third episode of this decent comedy – we’ll see.
How will it work as a series? My first thought was that it’s meant to be a weekly series, and so I’m not sure how that’s going to jive with a murder case that’s eventually going to run its course and will in all likelihood end with the defendant being executed. While it lasts it should be fun though!
How long will it last? I expected the reviews to be a lot worse than they are, with people having mostly positive things to say about the show. Premiering this show immediately following the season finale of “This Is Us” seems like an odd choice because the audience isn’t the same, and hopefully week two moved to the 9pm hour should prove than the debut airing which wasn’t watched by all that many people.
Pilot grade: B
Premiered March 14 at 10pm
The mockumentary-style sitcom has become increasingly popular in recent years since “The Office” used it and many others followed suit. Such a format can be used in any setting, and we don’t even see it played out in a courtroom. This show is probably most comparable to “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” in the absurdity of all of its events and the backwards laws – like “death by bear” – that couldn’t have ever been even remotely legal in less sophisticated times. The insistence that a “Northeasterner” – code for “Jewish” – represent John Lithgow’s Larry was just the tip of the iceberg, with the guards at the courthouse allowing in a firearm that they complimented and confiscating lip balm because they heard the word “balm” serving as among the most ridiculous. The team that Nick D’Agosto’s Josh has assembled is also absurd, with a private investigator who used to be a cop but left his patrol car in reverse and a secretary who can’t recognize faces and passes out whenever she sees anything beautiful. Add to that a client who cares more about his skate wrench than his murdered wife, may have killed his first wife, and always seems to say something incriminating and unhelpful when given the opportunity. This show is pretty wild, but it’s not all that bad. I like D’Agosto here much more than I did on “Heroes” or “Masters of Sex,” and there’s no question that Lithgow is right for this role. I also like Jayma Mays (who used to be on “Heroes” too), and this is a fun part for her. I might be back to check out a third episode of this decent comedy – we’ll see.
How will it work as a series? My first thought was that it’s meant to be a weekly series, and so I’m not sure how that’s going to jive with a murder case that’s eventually going to run its course and will in all likelihood end with the defendant being executed. While it lasts it should be fun though!
How long will it last? I expected the reviews to be a lot worse than they are, with people having mostly positive things to say about the show. Premiering this show immediately following the season finale of “This Is Us” seems like an odd choice because the audience isn’t the same, and hopefully week two moved to the 9pm hour should prove than the debut airing which wasn’t watched by all that many people.
Pilot grade: B
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