Episode Review: Trial & Error: A Couple of Bumps, but no Grind to Watch

Yesterday’s two-episode dose of the new NBC comedy, Trial & Error was, once again, hilarious and served to move the plot along (that is to say, complicate it) even further. In this instance, that is not a bad thing, but a good thing. When you write as well as this show’s writers (mostly Jeff Astrof and Matthew Miller), you are entitled to complicate to your heart’s content.

Speaking of said developments, let me revisit a brief observation I noted in last week’s article on the show. At some point, poet and suspect Larry Henderson seems to be stalked by a mystery woman who, contrary to all logic, seems to like his poetry. The lady appeared to be a middle-aged Hispanic woman. We later come to find out that the unknown fan was played by Krysta Rodriguez in an application of ageing makeup. There turns out to be an excellent reason why this older lady (Claudia) and the poet’s daughter (Summer) are played by the same actor. You will need to tune in to get the whole story, that story certainly throws a spanner into the engine of the plot…as if there were not plenty of them in there already..

Further complications stem from Henderson’s brother-in-law Jeremiah (Bob Gunton) and his dour wife, Josie (Cristine Rose), becoming a lot more involved with the plot. Also, by way of some unneeded comic relief, newscaster Heidi Baker (Angel Parker), for all her polished and professional appearance, is as horrendously bad at her job as Dwayne and Anne are at theirs. Yet, in spite of the absolutely unacceptable way she carries out her duties as a TV journalist, she ends up providing one of the few good wrinkles in Josh Segal’s desperate defense of Larry.

Speaking of that selfsame defense, we meet via Skype one of Josh’s colleagues, back in the New York office of the firm he works for. The co-worker, Harawitz, at first, seems to be a big help to Josh, but before too long, we learn he is what my mother’s ancestors would think of as a stronzo.

In terms of sexual or romantic tension, it intensifies between the two battling lawyers, but only takes a modest nudge forward between Summer and Josh in a scene where she takes enough notice to mock Carol Anne Keane’s blatantly flirty style, possibly indicating she (Summer) cares enough to be jealous.

As I mentioned in the heading of this article, there are a couple of bumps, but they are hardly deal-breakers. One of them takes place in a scene where Anne (who we learn in another scene has yet another strange quirk) helps Summer out with the practice cross-examination of Larry, and goes completely out of character. While it is true that having a performer—particularly a quiet and demure one—drastically change character is a comedy staple, it doesn’t work all that well in this instance. Also, Dwayne, who found a severed right arm while in pursuit of a golf club, goes on a bit much about it in the sixth episode, but again, nothing that would make you want to change the channel. At first, I thought there was another bug in the script when Josh’s team enthusiastically chants “Murder board! Murder board! Murder board!” every time Josh wants to take a look at it, but the gag pays off the last time in the episode where he calls for another look.

Let me close by saying that, above blemishes notwithstanding, this may be the freshest, most amusing comedy on network TV or even beyond. That’s right, I have put it ahead of Modern Family and The Big Bang Theory. I don’t think this show will have the staying power of those other two shows (Because, once we have a verdict, where do we go from there?), but while it is here, it is the sound a field mouse least likes to hear: a real hoot.

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Thomas Cleveland Lane

Thomas Cleveland Lane is a semi-retired freelance writer for pay and a stage actor for nothing more than the opportunity to make a fool of himself. Well, he does get a small stipend from the Washington Area Decency League, after playing the role of Hinezie in The Pajama Game, to never, ever appear on stage in his underpants again. When he has not managed to buffalo some director into casting him, Thomas can often be found at his favorite piano bar, annoying the patrons with his caterwauling. Thomas is the author of an anthology called Shaggy Dogs, a Collection of Not-So-Short Stories (destined to become a cult classic, shortly after he croaks). He is also the alter-ego to a very unbalanced Czech poet named Glub Dzmc. Mr. Lane generally resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and was last seen in the mirror, three days ago.
Thomas Cleveland Lane
Thomas Cleveland Lane
Thomas Cleveland Lane is a semi-retired freelance writer for pay and a stage actor for nothing more than the opportunity to make a fool of himself. Well, he does get a small stipend from the Washington Area Decency League, after playing the role of Hinezie in The Pajama Game, to never, ever appear on stage in his underpants again. When he has not managed to buffalo some director into casting him, Thomas can often be found at his favorite piano bar, annoying the patrons with his caterwauling. Thomas is the author of an anthology called Shaggy Dogs, a Collection of Not-So-Short Stories (destined to become a cult classic, shortly after he croaks). He is also the alter-ego to a very unbalanced Czech poet named Glub Dzmc. Mr. Lane generally resides in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and was last seen in the mirror, three days ago.