A Man on the Inside - Season 2

In season two, A Man on the Inside tries new things while simultaneously returning to the elements that made the first season so enjoyable. Last year, I really enjoyed the first season of A Man on the Inside. The series about a retired professor who goes undercover in a senior complex to solve a crime features charming actors, is easy to watch, and is filled with clever humor and emotional moments. The news of a second season was well-received. Although this season is a bit less sentimental, it remains delightful television.

In the second season, Charles (Ted Danson) is called upon to revisit his old field for a new case. Someone has stolen a laptop from the dean of Wheeler College, which contained sensitive information. Charles poses as a guest lecturer to uncover who stole the laptop. He soon discovers that almost everyone at the university had a motive. The investigation becomes more complicated when he starts developing feelings for one of the suspects.

What the second season of A Man on the Inside succeeds in doing is telling a new story while still utilizing elements from the first season. Although the case from season one is resolved, the writers find clever ways to bring back some of the colorful residents and staff from the senior center. Other recurring characters from the first season also have more room to grow, including Julie (Lilah Richcreek), the private detective for whom Charles works, and his daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis).

It's delightful to see Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen together on screen.

Additionally, we see a whole range of new characters played by delightful actors, including Max Greenfield, Jason Mantzoukas, and Mary Steenburgen. To me, Steenburgen is the highlight. Her character Mona is the music teacher at the university, and during the investigation, she and Charles fall in love. Their personalities are vastly different, yet they feel drawn to each other. Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson are married in real life, and the chemistry between the two actors and the enjoyment they find in acting together is clearly visible.

There's little at stake, but that's not a problem at all.

But just like the first season, who the culprit actually is doesn't really matter much. There's not a lot at stake, and that's perfectly fine. It's far more enjoyable to watch Ted Danson play a spy. This season once again includes plenty of witty humor, using absurd situations and sometimes equally bizarre characters. The most entertaining moment is a secret operation where there's bickering over the use of code names.

Alongside all the humor, there is also appropriate space for occasionally serious themes. In the first season, topics like loneliness, loss, and aging were addressed, bringing a lot of emotion with them. This sentimentality is much less present in the second season, but I didn't miss it. Instead, the writers succeed in sharpening everything in an episode set entirely during a Thanksgiving dinner. They make excellent use of the qualities of each individual character, and thus the series reaches a high point.

Season two of A Man on the Inside is simply enjoyable and relaxing television without pretensions. There's not much at stake, but that's perfectly fine when you see Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen play their roles with visible enjoyment. Netflix has not yet announced anything about a potential third season, but I certainly wouldn't say no to it.