"A Man on the Inside" season 2 just dropped on Netflix, and while I’m always going to enjoy a Ted Danson show, even I have to admit: A piece of the puzzle is missing. The series established itself as the natural successor to “The Good Place” in season 1, and not just because Michael Schur is at the helm and Danson stars. It also tackles some of life’s heaviest quandaries with Schur’s signature blend of levity and feel-good humor.
A show that literally rewrote the afterlife is a tough act to follow, yet “A Man on the Inside” pulled it off by introducing widower Charles Nieuwendyk (Ted Danson), a man simply going through the motions in his older age, until a newspaper ad unexpectedly landed him a job as a private investigator in a retirement community, hunting down a jewel thief.
As funny as that premise sounds, season 1 delivered unexpected profundity, especially around aging, loss and finding purpose in the time one has left. By the finale, Charles had a renewed sense of life and direction — making some of season 2’s choices harder to swallow.
What's changed in 'A Man on the Inside' season 2
From the first scene, it’s clear the tone has shifted. Charles has visually leveled up from quirky, grandfatherly newbie to a legitimate private investigator. Now dressed in a sleek suit, he effortlessly catches a man cheating and coolly exposes the affair. Gone are the days of Charles bumbling through a case. Even with a joke about his leg falling asleep, he reads as suave, capable and perceptive.
His growth isn’t the issue; season 1 ended with a clear indication he’d continue PI work, so improved skills are expected. But the tonal shift reshapes the entire show, and some characters and storylines left behind are especially missed.
What made “A Man on the Inside” season 1 such a standout was the unique focus of the story and its emotional impact. Charles was a grieving widower, grappling with the reality that he would live out his twilight years without his late wife, Victoria. This exploration of grief and loneliness, and the revelation that only friendship and finding a purpose in life pulled Charles back from giving up on new dreams, felt truly innovative for a TV show, reminiscent of the depth and poignancy of “The Good Place.”
Charles’ season 2 arc focuses heavily on romance, which feels like a step backwards. It’s not that Charles has to be (romantically) alone forever; there’s nothing wrong with him finding love again. Yet, Charles’ goals and struggles in season 2 subsequently feel much more expected.
Gone, too, is Charles’ fish-out-of-water characterization, which made season 1 particularly endearing. Hisseason 2 cover story no longer requires much faking. Rather than infiltrating a retirement community, Charles goes undercover as an engineering professor — his real career, pre-retirement. He doesn't struggle to fit the role, since he actually held it for decades.
For both reasons, the stakes of the case feel considerably lower in season 2, and the payoff is nowhere near as satisfying as the season 1 finale. The focus has largely been on Charles’ budding romance, not the latest mystery, and he hadn’t really had to do much sleuthing. (I don’t want to say I guessed the ending, but … I totally guessed it.)
'A Man on the Inside' season 2 focuses on the wrong storylines
My biggest grievance with “A Man on the Inside” season 2 is its consistent misjudgment of the better story to tell. Beloved season 1 characters like Virginia (Sally Struthers) or Elliott (John Getz) are scarce in season 2. Calbert (Stephen McKinley Henderson), Charles’ Pacific View best friend, is a bit more involved, but even their friendship isn't exactly central to the plot.
The most egregious sidelining is of the director of Pacific View, Didi (Stephanie Beatriz). Didi was a great character in her own right, but season 2 adds insult to injury by introducing romantic tension between Didi and head PI Julie (Lilah Richcreek Estrada) in episode 1, only to pivot and make Julie’s arc almost entirely about her estranged mother.
Unfortunately, there just isn't enough time to become adequately invested in Vanessa (Constance Marie), who spent Julie’s childhood stealing, conning and, eventually, doing hard time. As solid as Marie’s performance is, Vanessa is a constant on-screen reminder that a relationship between Julie and Didi is teased only to be pushed way, way to the back burner for most of the season.
Verdict: Worth the stream, with tempered expectations
Let’s be honest, as a Michael Schur project starring Ted Danson, “A Man on the Inside” season 2 is absolutely worth the watch, issues with character and story arc choices aside.
Should avid fans of “The Good Place” or season 1 go into it expecting the same level of depth and impact? Probably not. But with just eight 30-minute episodes, the risk-reward ratio is comfortably favorable, and when Jason Mantzoukas starts talking about giving his guinea pig, Joni Mitchell, a Viking funeral, I promise, you’re going to laugh.
Watch "A Man on the Inside" season 2 on Netflix
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