In its sophomore season, Ted Danson’s detective hits the college scene in disguise.
The second installment of Netflix’s charming series A Man On The Inside may not match the first season’s consistency or emotional impact, yet it remains an engaging watch. This eight-episode stretch is populated with endearing characters and recognizable actors. Naturally, coming from Michael Schur, the mind behind The Good Place and How To Be Perfect: The Correct Answer To Every Moral Question, the series also digs into contemporary issues with a reminder that our journeys are not meant to be solo endeavors.
Ted Danson is back as Charles Nieuwendyk, a former academic who has turned to sleuthing. As we rejoin him, Charles is growing weary of his usual assignments, which too often involve exposing infidelities. The initial intrigue that drew him into detective work has ended, and although the scriptwriters manage to reintroduce Stephanie Beatriz’s character, it feels somewhat contrived initially. However, Lilah Richcreek Estrada’s Julie Kovalenko is given more depth this season, with her own compelling storyline involving a reformed scam artist portrayed excellently by Constance Marie. This subplot provides the groundwork for several excellent scenes featuring the ever-entertaining Jason Mantzoukas.
The plot thickens when Julie introduces Charles to a new client, Jack Beringer (Max Greenfield), the contentious president of the elite Wheeler College—a school Charles’s daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) attended. Alongside a devoted provost, Holly (Jill Talley), Jack and Holly present Charles with a high-stakes problem. Just as a significant donation was about to be secured from a notable alumnus, Jack’s laptop is stolen, leading to a blackmail scheme that threatens the entire donation. The plan is straightforward: Charles will go undercover as a professor to uncover the laptop thief and save the deal.
Schur’s narrative doesn’t shy away from commenting on modern educational dilemmas, illustrated through a student juggling multiple jobs to afford tuition and a crotchety tenured professor excellently played by David Strathairn. Additionally, Mary Steenburgen delights as a quirky music professor who enters a romantic subplot with Charles. The real-life chemistry between Danson and Steenburgen translates into a delightful on-screen rapport, adding a light-hearted touch to the series.
However, not all elements around the Danson/Steenburgen dynamic are as solid. The series sometimes introduces characters merely to make thematic points rather than to advance the plot, as seen with the return of Beatriz’s character Didi, and underexplored storylines involving Emily and other faculty members like Sam Huntington and Linda Park, who are not as well-developed. Season two of A Man On The Inside sometimes feels overwhelmed by its character ensemble, reminiscent of Only Murders In The Building rather than its inaugural season. In an era when many streaming series suffer from a lack of sufficient content, it seems odd to critique a show for having an abundance of engaging characters. However, there’s a delicate balance between a rich narrative and a season that feels scattered.
Despite these criticisms, the series deserves praise for its generally upbeat tone and characters created by writers who genuinely appreciate their cast, even the flawed ones. This season feels almost like a tribute to Steenburgen’s vibrant presence. At its heart, the show continues to explore themes of personal improvement in a challenging world, a common thread in Schur’s work, including the grumpy professor and the skeptical detective. While the first season focused more on a grieving man learning to cope, the second season, though less ambitious, is still remarkably sweet and hopeful about the possibilities of human connection and growth. Perhaps this is indeed the good place.
A Man On The Inside Season Two debuts November 20 on Netflix.
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Avery Sandridge has an unmatched love for storytelling and the screen. From detailed analyses of your favorite shows to behind-the-scenes scoops, Avery offers a fresh and engaging take on everything TV series.