Summary
A simple but effective opening installment, blending British humor and endearing family values. This series can’t help but put a smile on your face. Rare, feel-good TV.
This recap of the Apple TV+ series Trying season 3, episode 1, contains spoilers.
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British comedy Trying returns for a welcomed third season, with our adorable lead couple (Jason and Nikki) going from the unfortunate position of having zero children to two in rapid succession. Season two ended with the official arrival of Princess into their family and the unofficial addition of her brother Tyler. The cheeky chappy snuck into their lives and now they must face the wrath of the city council as they fight to keep both foster children. It’s a quality opening episode that cements the show’s rightful acclaim, with infectious humor and wholesome charm.
Trying season 3, episode 1 recap
The premiere opens with the new family asleep in bed. Foster mother Nikki (Esther Smith) wanders downstairs to make breakfast and realizes that they are completely unprepared for these new additions, with the cupboards bare. She calls up her loving parents, who pre-empted this and are already waiting patiently on her doorstep. These supportive parents really do warm the heart, yet the series never feels sickly sweet or manipulative.
Nikki begins to childproof the house, bubble-wrapping the cooker and softening table edges with tennis balls. The children watch TV, whilst the adults talk. The council are coming to retrieve Tyler at lunchtime, because of the couple’s non-existent parenting experience. Nikki desperately tries to elongate the time they have with him, but Jason is a realist and accepts their fate. He proposes that they just make the most of the little time they have together, which is dwindling by the minute.
Jason’s father Vic arrives with a wooden frame for a bed he just rustled up this morning. He’s furious with the injustice of the whole situation and vows to solve this problem once and for all. Jason worries, telling his dad not to do anything stupid. He rants about bin collections, with the show fully committing to its British comedy roots, which seem sorely missed from TV these days. Vic starts to rally the troops, but what plan does he have in store?
Meanwhile, the new parents decide to take Tyler and Princess to the zoo with the little time they have left. It’s an adorable outing, as the couple impart words of wisdom to their newly acquired children. Jason tells Tyler to be bold and gives him some fashion advice, whilst Nikki tells Princess to never shop when hungry or date when lonely. There’s a hilarious scene with Jason feeding the penguins and guests asking him questions. This whole segment is bound to put a smile on your face.
The ending
They head home and Vic appears with all the couple’s friends and family. They’ve brought toys and clothes, even a lamp for the new family. It’s a real feel good moment, until the council worker arrives. He states that the couple haven’t been approved for two children, lacking the support and experience to deal with them. Vic argues back, fighting their corner, but it seems futile. Tyler is told to pack his bag anyway. The couple plead with the man and manage to win him over. They have exactly twelve weeks before they must convince a judge they are capable of looking after these children on a permanent basis. Nikki is ecstatic and Jason suggests quitting his job to fully focus on parenthood instead.
It’s a near perfect opening episode for the comedy series, filled with sarcastic, British wit and life-affirming feel good moments aplenty. The show strikes just the right balance, never feeling sentimental or self-aware – wonderful TV.
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