Much of Secrets and Lies’ first season comprised a middling-to-good show. But the reveal in the season finale that Abby Crawford (Belle Shouse) was the one to kill Tom Murphy was indicative of a larger problem that the series could fall prey to: The overuse of plot twists from out of left field as a means of shocking the audience, and trying to deal with the consequences of the twist later on. When season two begins, the potential for that problem is teetering on becoming a reality, and while the premiere is, on the whole, solid, that trajectory is greatly concerning.
From the freshman season cast, only Juliette Lewis’ Detective Cornell remains, assigned to investigate yet another murder and uncover the truth behind the curtain. This time, the victim is Kate Warner (Jordana Brewster), and her husband, Eric (Michael Ealy), is the man at the centre of the case. (On more than one occasion, the adage of “the husband usually did it” is trotted out.)
The premiere is unrelenting in its attempt to suggest that Eric is completely innocent of the murder. Not only does Eric’s demeanour not support that of a killer, but the editing and story choices of “The Fall” make it highly implausible for him to be responsible. And yet, by the time the credits roll, a thread is pulled to try and place even the slightest doubt in the viewer’s mind. Presenting the audience with vastly conflicting messages is a risky decision on its own, to, but given the way that season one toyed with the same concept, I’m left wondering if this will play out in similar fashion. Certainly, there’s very little I think the show can do to convince me of Eric’s guilt, and so the very idea that he could be revealed as the killer come the finale is problematic. It’s not the greatest of starting points in that regard.
In an age where twists on television are aplenty, it’s tough not to see this season eventually crawling its way towards a finale with yet another 180⁰ that’s completely off the deep end. If Secrets and Lies can avoid doing that, it’s a step in the right direction.
Still, the premiere as an episode is solid. Making frequent use of flashbacks, “The Fall” attempts to paint a picture not only of how the Warner family cope in the wake of Kate’s death but their gelling together as a family when the deceased Mrs. Warner first came into their lives. At times, it’s a jolting shift in tone between the past and the present, the flashbacks an overly chipper but useful reminder that there’s more to death than death. Conversely, when we return to the present, the mood is appropriately miserable and melancholy, yet never feels like it’s wallowing in the despair.
There’s a sense that, for much of the premiere, this would be more focused on the family aspect than the legal side. Cornell’s investigation goes on mostly in the background, the detective declining Eric’s offer to be questioned - an act that drills much confusion throughout the hour - instead giving much attention to reflection and grief. It’s not a formula that will last long - it’ll probably change by the second episode - but it’s different to what might have been expected. The new cast does a good enough job of setting the stage. Ealy, taking up much of the screen, manages to make Eric appear strong and resolute yet sympathetic and broken. Terry O’Quinn, playing Eric’s father, suits his role and has a commanding presence whenever he appears. (After seeing him oft refer to Hawaii Five-0’s Steve McGarrett fondly as “son”, having him do it with a character that’s ACTUALLY his son works out well.) Lewis doesn’t have an especially prominent role in the premiere, but hasn’t lost any of her to-the-point personality; her first scene of the hour comes berating some officers for incompetence, and it’s a stark reminder that her people skills are limited only to professionalism.
Where the series goes in its remaining nine episodes is yet to be seen, but there’s clearly potential once again. They just need to avoid taking the obvious route by going for the outside pick.
Secrets and Lies premieres its second season on ABC on Sunday, September 25th at 9pm.
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