Kaley Cuoco’s dark crime comedy nearly suffers a sophomore slump

After a spectacular first season, Based on a true story
makes some strange narrative choices in season two. But, at the end of the eight-episode series, it seems to find its balance. Kaley Cuoco stars alongside Chris Messina and Tom Bateman in this dark comedy series about a serial killer and the ambitious but down-on-his-luck couple who catch him. In Season 1, Ava (Cuoco) and Nathan Bartlett (Messina) caught Matt Pierce (Bateman) in the act, but after their podcast series blew up, things changed.

Based on a true story picks up some time after the first season ended, and as the Bartletts continue to fight, Matt appears to have landed on his feet, along with a considerable windfall given to him for getting the killer out of the country by the Bartletts. However, things get complicated with a new baby in the house and the fact that Matt is now dating Ava’s sister, Tory (Liana Liberato). Things get crazy and dark as the Bartletts’ lives take another twist that connects them to terrifying killers.

Based on a true story, season two takes a minute to hit its stride

After a tantalizing first season, the upcoming season appears to be struggling to decide where to take the story next – at least initially. The first half of Season 2 focuses on the wild fantasies and daydreams that arose throughout Season 1, but they become more psychedelic and unusual here. Fortunately, this development appears to dissipate quickly, and the series gets into the true meat of the story with new fame and mysteries for the Bartletts to solve.

The addition of Brooklyn Nine-Nine Melissa Fumero is an inspired choice, as her chemistry with Cuoco is fun and fluid. And seeing the friendship between Matt and Nathan develop is one of the absolute highlights of the series. Although Season 2 gets off to a rocky start, the latter half makes up for it with some incredible twists and turns that leave us on the hook for Season 3.

That said, some elements of the show are thrown in to fill time, and the series doesn’t do enough to explore the central narrative told in season two. veering off in strange directions from the start, Based on a true storythe sophomore outing could have been much more cohesive and satisfying. As it stands, it’s a mix that only starts to gain pace after trying to tie up the end of season 1.

The Timing Is Awkward in Season 2

Overall, it seems like the timing of Season 2 wasn’t ideal as a whole. Despite ending with a spectacular grand finale in season 1, season 2 picks up after some time. The complications that came with creating the true crime podcast, dealing with the death of her friend, Ruby, and having her baby, happened between the end of Season 1 and the beginning of Season 2. events unfold but have minimal impact on the story told in season two.

Instead of moving forward, backtracking repeatedly to establish context, and then moving on to the new narrative, it would have made more sense to commit to one direction. Make the intervening events at the center of the new mystery, or ignore them and give them as little attention as possible. There was no need to revisit these plot points, and it just made Season 2’s story weaker as a whole.

Fortunately, when things get back on track, the second season delivers. The exploration of relationships – between Ava and her new friend, Nathan and Matt, and Matt with his new girlfriend, Tory – makes everything deliciously complicated. Happily, Based on a true story season 2 manages to recover just in time to deliver another incredible season finale that hopefully does enough to get the show renewed for season 3.

Based on a true story Season 2 will be available to stream on Peacock on Thursday, November 21st.