Trial & Error was one of my favorite shows of 2017, with an intriguing and interesting premise, vivid and lively performances, and hilarious scripts. I wasn't expecting the series to be renewed for a second season, but it was, and I'm very happy to finally see that second season, starting with this duo of episodes. The brilliant Kristin Chenoweth joins the cast this season, which is great news, though we do lose the also-brilliant John Lithgow, which is not great news. Nevertheless, I'm still thrilled to return to East Peck.
Episode 1, The Suitcase:
The episode begins with East Peck resident Lavinia Peck-Foster being pulled over. While the original reason for being pulled over wasn't the murder of her husband Edgar, that ends up being the major issue for Lavinia. Of course, she hires Josh, who is undefeated (1-0), to defend her. This means that the whole team gets back together, though that may not be permanent since neither Anne nor Dwayne wants to take the case. Josh goes to meet Lavinia anyway, where she explains what happened the night her husband died. She's not much help, but she does cry. Very loudly. Later at the courthouse, Josh discovers that Carol Anne is pregnant.
Josh worries that he is the father of Carol Anne's baby, but Carol Anne has no clue who it is. Carol Anne isn't very happy that she's prosecuting this case, as she's running for DA and thinks this could hurt her chances of winning. When the hearing begins, Josh is upset to learn that Judge Horsedich won't be the judge, and he's even more upset that he can't understand a word that Judge Kamiltow says. Luckily, Judge Kamiltow agrees to a $10 bail, and he even pays it himself. So things are off to a pretty good start.
Josh confronts Carol Anne outside the courthouse, but she just insults him and drives off. Back at the office, they bring out the murder board (Murder board! Murder board! Murder board!). Edgar's water-filled watch (which Dwayne stole) is their first major piece of evidence, as they discover the time of death and come to the conclusion that the murderer was at a party Lavinia held that same night.
Josh and the team go to visit the scene of the crime, where Lavinia jumps into the pool despite Josh's warning. Meanwhile, Dwayne searches for clues in Lavinia's maze, because he doesn't trust her and just knows she's hiding something. And then he gets lost. Back at the pool, the fact that the pool is a saltwater pool causes Josh to have a revelation that, since Edgar had freshwater in his lungs, Edgar wasn't murdered at the pool. And then Dwayne finds dead bodies in the maze.
Score: 8/10
Grade: B
Episode 2: The Timeline:
Dwayne and Anne discover a podcast, M-Towne, which is focused on Lavinia's case. Dwayne also tells Josh that the bodies in the maze are hundreds of years old, so Lavinia isn't guilty of those deaths, unless she's a vampire. At the courthouse, Josh meets the M-Towne podcaster, Nina, and the interaction isn't exactly pleasant. Meanwhile, when the hearing begins, Lavinia arrives late. Then, Carol Anne starts faking pregnancy symptoms for sympathy. It works, and the case goes to trial.
Based on the autopsy photos, the team concludes that Edgar was hit by a clock (or killed by a vampire), and they determine a time of death. When they tell Lavinia about this, she tells them about a clock expect that killed her brother. During jury selection, Carol Anne manages to flush out everyone in the room due to conflict of interest, meaning that there will have to be a bench trial.
Lavinia shares some pictures from the party, but all they find is that Lavinia is on North Peck time, shrinking the timeline that the murder had to have occured in. So they talk to Jesse Ray, the only clock expert in town, who also happens to have murdered Lavinia's brother. In order for him to give them information, he needs to speak with Lavinia about her brother's murder. That's a problem. Josh asks Nina to speak with Jesse Ray, and she agrees. This is enough for Jesse Ray to give him the information on the clock, which is owned by the Jessup family.
Score: 8.5/10
Grade: B+
Wrap-Up:
While I didn't enjoy these episodes quite as much as the first season's premiere episodes, it was still a very strong set of episodes.
Lavinia is a fascinating subject, one whose innocence I'm not certain of. At all. This is a huge shakeup from last season, where I was pretty sure Larry was innocent the whole time. This adds an interesting dynamic to show that wasn't present last season. I still find Larry to be a better character than Lavinia (he's definitely funnier), but she has time to get even better. Kristin Chenoweth was a great choice to play Lavinia, and she's been one of the best parts of the season.
The show's other addition was much less successful, at least so far. Podcaster Nina didn't really add much to the story so far and I feel like most of her screentime could have been used in a better way. Of course, there hasn't been much of her so far, with just a small handful of lines during her debut episode, but I'm not too impressed at this point.
The rest of East Peck is just as insane as ever, and I love it. The "East Peck: A History Lesson" segments are a wonderful touch and I find them absolutely hilarious. I would honestly watch a half hour series of just them, but only if it was Dwayne hosting it! Carol Anne is just as nasty as she's always been, but now she's with child! I'm sure this will be a major part of the seaosn and I'm very excited for that. And then of course there's Anne, who I just love with all my heart. Her and Dwayne insisting that Lavinia is a vampire was a great running gag that I really hope continues throughout the season.
All in all, a solid return for one of TV's most unique and fun comedies, and a great addition to the very dull Summer broadcast slate. I'm very interested to see where this season goes, and spend ever more time in TV's most hilarious town. As always, don't forget to vote in the weekly guilty or not poll!
The 2016-17 season has come to a close. The season saw many memorable shows come and go over its course. We said "hello" to such newbie success stories as This Is Us and American Housewife and "farewell" to long-running series like 2 Broke Girls and Bones. But the season wasn't just limited to a few success stories and a few sad farewells. The season brought a lot of shows across broadcast, streaming, and cable. Some were huge successes. Others have already been forgotten. I watched and enjoyed many of the shows from the season (some may say too many), but some really stood out. These are the twenty best shows of the 16-17 season, plus a few honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions- A Series of Unfortunate Events, Man With a Plan, Riverdale
I really enjoyed all three of these shows, but for one reason or another, they all fell short of this list. All three had something special about them, and I do truly enjoy them, but they didn't do quite enough to make it. That's not to say that they aren't good shows, though. A Series of Unfortunate Events saw numerous wonderful performances, Man With a Plan consistently made me laugh, and Riverdale constantly kept me hooked to the TV screen. All three could have easily made it on this list.
20- Velshi & Ruhle
The only unscripted program to make this list, this daily MSNBC series pairs business experts Ali Velshi and Stephanie Ruhle, who work absolutely perfectly together. The laid back personality of Velshi balances the fiery Ruhle, making them a match made in heaven. Another great thing when you have two news anchors working together daily is that they have chemistry, and these two certainly do. You can just tell that they're actually friends in real life, which makes for an enjoyable watch. They do wonderful interviews, with their interview with Brad Thomas going down as one of my favorite interviews of all time.
For a Good Episode, Try: N/A (Just watch it daily, guys!)
19- Imaginary Mary
Imaginary Mary is one of two new ABC sitcoms to star an adorable-yet-mischievous creature, and that adorable creature, Rachel Dratch's Mary, makes this show. Without Mary, this is just a run-of-the-mill family comedy (to quote Seinfeld, "Not that there's anything wrong with that). But with the addition of Mary, it flourishes into a wonderful fantasy sitcom that had enormous potential. The show only lasted for 9 episodes, but it did make an impact on me.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Last Dance With Mary"
18- Santa Clarita Diet
I'm a big fan of Drew Barrymore, so I was planning on trying this out no matter what. When I found out what the titular "Santa Clarita diet" actually was, I did get a bit turned off, as zombie movies and shows aren't really my thing. But this is so much more than the premise and so much more than its stars. The show itself, from its wonderfully wacky plots to the off-the-walls amazing writing, is what really shines here. It's ten episodes of pure joy (with some gross stuff thrown in there, as well) that I just couldn't stop watching. I don't think there's been a Netflix show that I binged so quickly.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 9, "The Book!"
17- Lethal Weapon
I seriously had my doubts about this show, as movie adaptations are traditionally terrible. But this one was not. Clayne Crawford delivered one of my favorite performances of the year, and he also had great chemistry with his onscreen partner Damon Wayans, the Murtaugh to his Riggs. It has a great blend of comedy and drama, and it has really interesting stories each week. I'm a procedural fan, but this show is much more than your average procedural. It has heart, laughs, and action, which makes for a darn good show.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 17, "A Problem Like Maria"
16- I'm Sorry
This gem is little-known, but that doesn't mean it isn't good. Quite the opposite actually. This was one of the shows that helped me survive the Summer 2017 broadcast hiatus, bringing the much-needed laughs weekly. I only decided to watch it the day it premiered, and I'd never even seen a promo, so I had no clue what to expect from it. Luckily, I watched it, and was surprised by how hilarious it actually was. It definitely brings the shock value, pulling that off better than just about any other new show this year. Star Andrea Savage is truly hilarious, and this is probably her best role yet.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Weekend Alone"
15- The Guest Book
I hadn't even heard of the Guest Book until a few days before it premiered, but with Raising Hope's Greg Garcia behind it, I just had to try it out. The semi-anthological concept of The Guest Book is truly a great one, executed perfectly. It's something that pretty much anyone who's ever stayed in a hotel has thought about, and while this show definitely takes hotel life to an extreme, it definitely makes you think. It's also welcomed many great guests throughout its fist season, with appearances by Office star Jenna Fisher, Mom's Jaime Pressly, Esteemed Character Actress Margo Martindale, and Trophy Wife's Michaela Watkins all standing out.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "Story Eight"
14- Claws
I will admit that at first, Claws wasn't really my cup of tea. The Pilot wasn't really all too great, but starting with episode two, it just got better and better. It's one of those rare dramedies that has a real balance between the two. It's not just a drama with some jokes, and it's not just an hourlong comedy. It combines dramatic and comedic aspects with nearly perfect results, resulting in a wonderfully over-the-top show that left me wanting more each and every week. While the entire cast is spectacular, Niecy Nash (coming off a career-best role as Denise on Scream Queens) and Carrie Preston shine the absolute brightest here, with both delivering amazing performances week after week.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 9, "Ambrosia"
13- Andi Mack
I don't usually watch Disney Channel, and I actually didn't even watch this little gem until just before its second season debuted. I'd heard many good things about it, and luckily those things convinced me to give it a try. I was expecting a traditional cheesy Disney show, but what I got was a smart, sophisticated show that got me hooked immediately. I quickly consumed all twelve episodes of season one, and wanted more immediately. Lizzie McGuire creator Terri Minsky created this one as well, and I'd even say that this show is the superior of the two.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 7, "Dad Influence"
12- The Mick
Not even slightly family friendly, The Mick is one of TV's raunchiest and crudest shows, but with It's Always Sunny star Kaitlin Olson leading the cast, that's hardly a surprise. But what it lacks in family friendliness, it makes up for in the laughs it delivers. The entire Pemberton family is just as crazy as the titular character, providing for plenty of opportunities for the laughs. The show fits like a glove in the Fox comedy roster, which is most certainly a compliment.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 16, "The Implant"
11- This Is Us
One of America's newest obsessions, This Is Us is also one of my obsessions. The family dramedy is one of those tug-at-your-heartstrings shows that I just adore, and it's probably one of my favorite of the genre. The two timelines helps set it apart from the rest, sure, but it also helps add depth and background to the lives of these characters. It helps us connect with them on a deeper level, which is absolutely necessary in a show of this type. It's also had many episodes that just knock it out of the park, with the "Memphis" episode being one of the greatest episodes of TV I've seen in a very long time.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 16, "Memphis"
10- Speechless
I've always been a big fan of the ABC family comedy, so I was predisposed to liking this one from the start. I'm also a big fan of Minnie Driver and I enjoyed her previous effort at a family sitcom, NBC's About a Boy. But this show is different. As much as I enjoyed About a Boy, Speechless is certainly better. It's a family comedy with a nice twist, with the inclusion of a disabled character that was actually played by a disabled actor being much different than the norm. It's a twist that sets the show apart, and makes it a different and wonderful addition to the vast family comedy landscape.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 8, "R-a-y-c-Ray-Cation"
9- Downward Dog
Downward Dog has a premise that appeals to both animal lovers and comedy lovers alike. It's a sweet little show that had heart, humor, and, best of all, an adorable star. No, not Allison Tolman. I'm talking about Ned, the dog portraying the lovable and super emotional Martin. The premise of a girl (or woman, rather) andher relationship with her dog is a simple one, but it's one that works. So, so well.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 5, "Trashed"
I'm not traditionally a big fan of reboots, especially ones that reboot properties that are super iconic. One Day at a Time certainly qualifies as "super iconic," so I was skeptical that they'd be able to pull it off. Luckily, original series producer Norman Lear returned for this one, so that can't have hurt it. Rita Moreno delivers the performance of her lifetime here, and the rest of the cast is also great. It's also a very sweet, heartwarming show that's great for the entire family. It really has something for everyone.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 13, "Quinces"
7- When We Rise
I was always kinda iffy on this show, as it seemed like something that could be a huge snoozefest if not done correctly. Even after the release of promos, I wasn't even sure if I'd enjoy it. So I was in for a pleasant surprise when the show turned out to be excellent. The miniseries aspect of it worked so well, allowing the show to have a natural beginning, middle, and endpoint. The series featured two primary time periods, and I can honestly say that both were really strong. The show is also an important one, detailing the gay rights movement, a cause near and dear to many people's hearts (including my own)
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 6, "Part VI"
6- The Good Place
One of 2016-17's smartest and most innovative new shows is The Good Place, created by modern comedy god Mike Schur. The show truly is unlike anything else on television, and that's definitely a good thing. The cast, led by Kristen Bell and Ted Danson, truly is incredible, helping to bring these characters to life and make them more than just a bunch of weirdos. A show like this could have been a huge mess, but it's not. It's incredible.
For a Good Episode, Try: Literally all of them
Better Things is one of two FX series that made its way onto this list, and if you've watched it, it's not hard to see why. Starring creator and writer and director and producer Pamela Adlon, the series is probably one of the most honest and real shows on television, in addition to being one of the best. The entire cast here is great, with the young actresses playing the daughters of lead character Sam all delivering stellar performances.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 10, "Only Women Bleed"
4- American Housewife
The trailer for this show really did it no justice, and so I went into it with pretty low expectations. The show surprised me though, with a strong pilot and a wonderful second episode. The main character was equal parts sassy and hysterical. Mixon brought her great comedic talents that we saw on Mike & Molly to her role as Katie Otto to great success. She was the perfect choice to play Katie. Her family is also hilarious, with her daughter Anna-Kat providing the most funny moments. The show just works really well, and the recurring guest appearances from Kate Flannery's Crossing Guard Sandy certainly add a lot to the show.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 14, "Time for Love"
3- Trial & Error
John Lithgow (who I've loved for most of my life due to my grandfather's 3rd Rock obsession) was the only reason that I was really excited for this show, and I wasn't quite sure what to expect from it. From the first episode, I knew NBC really had something special going on with the show. It wasn't just Lithgow that impressed me. It was the whole show. From the entire cast (with its wonderful chemistry and great comedic timing) to the writing to the sets, this show showed it was one of broadcast's best. I love that serialized comedies are becoming more common, and this show had a great season-long story arc that wrapped up lovely (and very funnily) with that beyond-perfect season finale.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 13, "The Verdict"
2- Great News
The highest-ranking comedy on this list, Great News was by far my most anticipated midseason broadcast show. With Tina Fey involved and vibes of my all time fave 30 Rock, this was a show I needed. Throw in comedy legend Andrea Martin and some other funny faces like John Michael Higgins and Horatio Sanz, and you've got comic perfection (well, as close to it as it can possibly come). It was one of two incredible post-Voice Tuesday comedies, and it just won out the top comedy spot. It was very funny from Pilot to Finale, with some funny episodes that I enjoyed revisiting in the seemingly never-ending Summer break that thankfully came to an end a few weeks ago. Martin is the standout here, but the entire cast is immensely talented.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 7, "The Red Door"
1- Feud
While I loved every other show on this list, my choice for #1 was an easy one. It had to be Feud. From the fantastic, Emmy-worthy, performances to the wondrous storylines, nearly everything about Feud was perfect. I really can't think of anything about Feud that I can criticize, something I can do with every other show on this list. Jessica Lange was fantastic as always, but Judy Davis (who I'd honestly never heard of before this series), Jackie Hoffman and Susan Sarandon were fantastic as well. Add to that some fantastic writing and directing, and you've got one great show. The Oscar and finale episodes were truly standouts, but the whole show was perfect and needs to but watched. If you haven't yet watched it and you're still reading this, well, I have a friend for you. And that friend is named Amazon.
For a Good Episode, Try: Episode 5, "And the Winner Is... (The Oscars of 1963)"
What do you think of my list? What are your favorite 2016-17 newbies? Let me know in the comments and don't forget to vote in the poll below!
Trial & Error has managed to be one of my favorite shows this season, being consistently funny despite being a show about murder. It's only been on for a little over a month, but it's still hard t believe that by the end of this review, Trial & Error will be over. I'm going to miss it greatly.
The Defense Rests
The episode begins where the last left off, with Larry confessing. Summer then confesses to save Larry, then Dwayne, and then Josie comes to clear Summer. Larry then takes the confession back, but the judge gets angered with the team's lies. On the news, an "anonymous source" (AKA Carol Anne Keane) destroys the chances for Summer to be a helpful character witness. Josh now tries to find someone to speak badly about Rutger, and he wants to call Carol Anne to the stand. Carol Anne is really upset by this, and develops a "tiny" rash. On the stand, Carol Anne confesses to being in a relationship with Rutger, and makes Rutger seem like a liar (well, that's because he is). Carol Anne starts to get emotional on the stand and talks about how by loving Rutger, she lost herself. The jury falls for it. And so does the judge. That really backfired.
At the office, Larry begs to be put on the stand. Josh finally agrees, and Anne tries to get a witness coach for him. She gets Sebastian Rappaport (FRENCH STEWART!!! IT'S A 3RD ROCK REUNION!) to help. Sebastian has a lot of advice for Larry, and criticizes almost everything he does. And then he "storms out", but it's just an act. In court, Carol Anne's rash is getting even worse, and she's trying to convince Josh to not put Larry on the stand. He does anyway, and Larry head to the stand. He reads a poem he wrote, and Larry does well with Josh. Now it's Carol Anne's turn, and she asks about a "Harrison Weeks". We don't think we know a Harrison Weeks, but it turns out to actually be Larry, who changed his name after his mother's death.
At the office, Larry tells Josh that he was depressed after his mom's death, and that lead to him changing his name to "Larry Henderson". Josh is upset because he could have made this less suspicious. Josh remembers finding Carol Anne in Larry's room, and it turns out that that is when she found out about "Harrison Weeks". Anne then reminds Josh that everything is recorded, meaning that they have footage of Carol Anne stealing the pictures. But it then turns out that they don't, and that Josh lied to the judge. Carol Anne tries to pul the sympathy card again, but this time the judge doesn't but it. Josh rests the defense's case, and now it's time for closing statements.
It's time for closing arguments, and Carol Anne tries to make the jury believe that Larry isn't a family man. She wants the jury to "reunite" Margaret and Larry by finding him guilty. Josh now argues that there is no evidence linking Larry to Margaret's death. He then says he needs to speak from the heart, and tries to assure the jury that Larry is a good man who isn't a murderer, and then Larry hugs Josh. And now the jury has a verdict.
This was another great episode. The final scene, between Josh and Larry, was really touching. The whole season has been great, and this episode was no different. It managed to be interesting and still throw interesting twists until the bitter end.
Episode Score: 9.5/10
Episode Grade: A
The Verdict
Josh is feeling nervous, as the jury decided on the case really quickly. The team now heads to court, and the jury delivers the verdict. It's not good, and the jury finds Larry guilty. And then Larry runs away. At sentencing, Larry speaks to the jury, and he says that he will haunt them if they sentence him to death. Carol Anne then says she wants to recommend life in prison instead of death. Larry is then sentenced to life in prison without parole. At the prison, Larry gives Josh a skate wrench, and he asks Summer to get married at the prison when she's ready.
It's now four months later, and Josh is in New York. But he still can't stop thinking about the case, and he's worrying about Larry. When investigating a crime scene photo, Josh finds out that a rake is in one picture, and missing in a photo taken an hour later. He's really obsessed with the case yet, and he's still got a murder board. Summer is still in East Peck, and she doesn't want to sell the house. She decided to go with a broker that will make selling the house very unlikely- Anne (who now has a real estate license). Dwayne has been reinstated at the police department, and one thing is still true in all four- they all still care a lot about the case. Josh calls Dwayne, and Dwayne finds grey hair, which was missing from the "murder book." Josh now flies to East Peck. He confronts the Wicked Witch Carol Anne about the missing page. She acts like she doesn't know anything. Josh and Dwayne head to Larry's, where they find Anne. She runs right through the window, but unlike Margaret, she's fine.
At the prison, the team speaks to Larry. He's so happy that Josh is back. Josh tells him about the new evidence, and Larry thinks that someone in the office stole the evidence. Then the team remembers about Dave the Taxidermy man, who worked at the office with them and has long grey hair. They go to find Dave and get evidence. In Dave's office, they find the rake. Dwayne then heads to arrest Dave, but he goes to the wrong house. At the real house, Dave finds them.
Dave asks them about the rake, and he confesses to stuffing the owl, meaning he isn't the murderer, but he's still a criminal. So now they're back to square one. When looking over some notes, Summer and Anne discover than Margaret was dyslexic. Summer uses Anne's spelling of Larry's name as the password, and she gets in. There, she finds out that Margaret has an unsent video. They send it to Larry's phone, andJosh and Dwayne watch it. In it, they see an owl some in, causing Margaret's death. Josh shows this to Carol Anne and the judge. The judge orders Larry to be releases pending a new trial, and Carol Anne drops the charges. At the prison, Josh goes to get Larry, who is now a free man at last. Josh tells Larry this, and they embrace. In East Peck, Larry goes to see Josh at his office. Dwayne gets Josh, and they see on the news that there may be another in the town. Someone calls Josh, and during this call, Larry leaves. Josh goes into his office, where he finds Larry's skate wrench.
Wow. This show certainly went out with a bang. This was a fantastic way to end the series, but I hope that isn't the case. I want there to be more, because this could truly be one of the great NBC comedies. I loved all of the characters, and the actors just did phenomenal. The ending was upsetting though, since I really wanted Larry to become a part of the team somehow and not leave. Quite honestly, Lithgow deserves an Emmy for this. As does the entire cast and the show itself. But especially Lithgow, he killed it, even if Larry didn't (I always believed in you Larry!).
Episode Score: 10/10
Episode Grade: A+
Poll: Who was your favorite character?
I've traditionally ended my reviews with a poll asking if you believe Larry to be guilty. Since the murder is solved, I won't do that. But I would like to know, loyal readers, who your favorite character was. Mine was always Anne, but these episodes made Larry my favorite character.
Trial & Error has been fantastic throughout its first season, and that season comes closer to its conclusion tonight. It's hard to believe that next week is the finale, and I'm really going to miss it. Gladly, we've still got three episodes left, including tonight's, which features the return of Jeremiah and some other twists.
The episode begins on Day 15 of the Prosecution's case. Carol Anne calls Jeremiah to the stand. He claims that Larry said something about throwing Margaret through a window. Carol Anne continues to drag on for weeks after that, calling various witnesses to the stand, and at last, she rests her case. Praise the Lord, as Larry and the Judge would say. Back at the office, the team and Larry are having dinner, and Josh starts discussing the case. He wants to bring Summer to the stand, but Larry is hesitant because of Carol Anne. Josh sends everyone but Larry home, and he and Larry start discussing Josh's strategy. Josh discovers Margaret's phone in Larry's jacket, and Larry tackles him.
Larry starts to explain to Josh that he can't give Margaret's phone up because it reminds him of seeing her. Larry is also trying to hide some potentially incriminating texts from Summer to Margaret. Summer told Margaret that she "hates her" and that she never wants to see her again. We are shown a video of Christmas 2011, where summer says that Larry and Margaret's marriage won't end well. Despite thinking differently, Josh learns from Larry that Summer was in fact in town when Margaret died. Later on, Josh heads to visit Jeremiah with Anne. Jeremiah now lives at campus housing, because Josie has taken his money. Josh questions him about his relationship with Margaret, and Jeremiah explains that they were very close. He also tells Josh that Summer went to a concert to see Michael Jackson. The problem is, of course, that Michael Jackson died many years ago.
Josh asks Summer about her alibi, and she tells him that she was at the Jessup Farm. She went there after a fight with Margaret, and did some hallucinogens there. The fact that she was at Jessup Farm really angers Larry, and Josh investigating Summer angers him, too. He prohibits Summer from going on the stand, but Josh convinces him otherwise. In the court, Josh calls Thom to the stand. Thom states that Rutger's semen was at the Henderson house. Carol Anne questions Thom about his own semen being at the crime scene, and this grosses everyone out. This causes Larry to use hand sanitizer, and it's hilarious. Josh calls Anne to the stand, and she starts to sing "I Will Always Love You", and the Judge really wants to see where this is headed. Carol Anne uses one of Anne's disorders to her advantage, and her validity is questioned. This leads to Anne labeling Carol Anne a "bi***."
At the office, Dwayne tells Josh that when he was at the Jessup Farm, he was shown a video of Summer. In it, Summer yells about getting her jewelry back, and even Summer starts to question her own innocence. Larry again prohibits Josh from putting Summer on the stand, because Josh plans to put her on the stand as a witness. He walks out, angered by what Josh and Summer plans to do. In court, Josh calls Summer to the stand. Summer assures Larry that it's going to be okay. And then Larry admits he did it. Crap.
This was another great episode. I'm really not sure who actually killed Margaret, but this episode made me feel very strongly that Larry is innocent. I feel like the killer is someone that hasn't even been discussed as a suspect, or someone who has already been ruled out. Anyways, I'm both excited and saddened that the finale is on Tuesday, because I can't wait to find out who did it (and if Larry get's acquitted).
Episode Score: 10/10
Episode Grade: A+
Poll: Did Larry Kill Margaret?
With the information revealed in this episode, do you believe that Larry killed Margaret? Let me know in the comments and vote in the poll below.
Trial & Error has been fantastic so far, and we continue to find out new information with each passing episode. With the season nearing a close, the identity of Margaret's killer is coming soon. Let's see who will become a suspect in this new pair of episodes.
Opening Statements
At the courthouse, opening statements are beginning. Carol Anne makes a presentation, which shows a cartoon version of Larry brutally murdering Margaret. Even Larry loves it. Josh makes his case, and he blames it all on Rutger Hiss, who is unfortunately very much awake from his coma, which really complicates things. Josh explains how Rutger is awful, but the jury can only see Rutger as someone who is really struggling and can barely even drink. Back at the office, the team talks over what happened at the trail. They inspect the witness list, and Larry's lover Alfonzo is on it. Larry immediately decides that he must go speak with Alfonzo Josh goes to Carol Anne's office, where he finds Rutger and Carol Anne kissing. Ew.
Carol Anne reveals that she and Rutger are back together, and she tells him that he means nothing to her, despite sleeping with him. At the gym, Larry meets with Alfonzo Alfonzo tells him that he won't be saying anything bad about Larry, but we all know something bad is going to happen to Larry. He tells him that Alfonzo was just a little fun. At the office, Dwayne and Anne are coaching Josh on how to speak and act at the trial. According to them, he's failing miserably. At the trial, Rutger is being questioned. Josh asks him about sleeping with Margaret. He (almost certainly) lies about everything incriminating and Josh starts to freak out. The jury is not pleased.
Josh isn't buying Rutger's selective memory act. They figure out that Rutger only claimed to be in a coma, at least for a little while. He witnessed a town football game that took place during his supposed coma. Alfonzo has turned on Larry, texting that he's done with Larry and never wants to see him again. At the hospital, Josh and Larry are watching tapes of Rutger's hospital room during his coma. They find out that he was definitely awake at that time, and they show it in court. Carol Anne gets angry at Rutger, and throws her shoe at him. Rutger, the coward that he is, runs off. He enters a coma, and this one is actually real.
At Larry's, Dwayne and Anne tell Larry that Alfonzo is in love with Larry. Larry goes off to meet Alfonzo and Summer rushes in. She has finally broken up with that moron Clanton, and Dwayne gives her a pep talk. And now he's in love with her. At the gym, Larry confronts Alfonzo and Alfonzo insults Margaret. This ends with Larry pushing Alfonzo through a window. He really has to stop doing incriminating things.
This was another great episode. This show is truly shaping up to be one of the best comedies on TV.
After her reaction to Rutger faking his coma, I'm really starting to suspect that Carol Anne murdered Margaret, or was involved in some way.
Episode Score: 9/10
Episode Grade: A-
A Hostile Jury
The episode begins with the gang watching a commercial for a glass store that involves Larry attacking a man and throwing him through the window. Of course, Larry loves it. At the courtroom, a member of the jury states that they've already reached a verdict, even though the trial hasn't, you know, started yet. Josh asks the judge to sequester the jury, and she won't agree. Carol Anne wants the jury to visit the crime scene. At the office, Josh tries to think of ways to win over the jury. Anne wants them to target Whale Shark Juror #9. At Larry's, the team is trying to make Larry seem like a normal family man. When investigating photos of Margaret, they discovers that Margaret had a phone that they did not know about. When the jury arrives, Larry comes down wearing an OJ Simpson jersey, which will obviously make the jury think he's innocent.
Carol Anne is showing the jury around, and she's doing an excellent job of being biased as possible. Larry starts talking to the jurors, which he is not allowed to do. At a phone store, Anne and Dwayne find out that someone has used Margaret's cell phone very recently. In Larry's "manhole", Josh tries to win Juror #9 over, and Larry again speaks to a juror. And them, Juror #9 ends up in Larry's window.
At the office, Josh tries to explain just who awful the previous day was. Pretty much everything that could have gone wrong went wrong. Dwayne tries to get a hacker to help get access to Margaret's phone, but he won't help. He will, however, help dig up dirt on some jurors. At the trial, Alfonzo is being questioned. He explains in graphic detail what he and Larry did one time when Margaret was away.
Larry and Alfonzo speak to each other, and they seem to forgive each other for what has happened. Dwayne tells Josh that one of the jurors is compromised. The new #9 is unable to be a part of the jury, and the jury now must be sequestered. This upsets the judge, whose in-laws must now stay with her. Back at the office, Summer explains to Dwayne that they won't be a "thing", but Dwayne still doesn't get it. At Larry's we see that Margaret's phone is in his drawer.
This was another great episode, and it revealed some more interesting things about the case. I'm so upset that there are only three more episodes of the show left, and I really don't want it to be over. I really enjoyed the twist at the end, though I think it could just be a red herring.
Episode Score: 9/10
Episode Grade: A-
Poll: Is Larry Guilty?
With the new information revealed in these episodes, did it change your mind about Larry's guilt (or innocence)? Vote in the poll and let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
Make sure to watch Trial & Error in its special night and time on Thursday at 8. I'll be back for another review on Thursday, and I'll also be back for the penultimate episode and finale next Tuesday.
