TV Review: ‘Happy Endings,’ ‘Don't Trust the B---- in Apt. 23’ Return to Crowded Night

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“Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23”

Television Rating: 3.5/5.0

When this ABC comedy premiered, I felt like the writing was too tonally inconsistent to work but that the cast was talented enough to potentially turn it around. That’s exactly what seems to be happening now at the start of the second season, as the show returns with the funniest episode I’ve seen to date, one that perfectly balances tones, doesn’t over play the “B——” angle of its title, and highlights the hilarious performance from James Van Der Beek as a twisted version of himself.

Don’t Trust the B—— in Apt. 23
Photo credit: ABC

The primary plot of “A Reunion…” centers on James discovering that the letter he’s received every year from former “Dawson’s Creek” castmates begging him to do a reunion was forged by Chloe (Krysten Ritter) in a manipulative move to make him feel better and do more for her. Of course, this just makes him want to do the reunion even more and June (Dreama Walker) pressures him with some hilarious presentations about the importance of “Dawson’s.” Busy Philipps, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, and Frankie Muniz guest star.

Ritter, Walker, and Van Der Beek are very talented and their comic timing has notably improved since the season premiere. It helps to have fantastic cameos, especially the laugh-out-loud ones from Philipps and Gosselaar. I’m still not convinced this show can maintain its high degree of snark every single week but it’s off to a more promising start than it was a year ago.

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com