The Trying season 5 finale on Apple TV perfectly defines the season as a whole. There was whimsy, quirkiness, and anxiety, but it had an overarching sense of a more mature and serious grounding.
However, the main subplot of the season revolves around how the family handles the return of Princess and Tyler's biological mother, Kat. This big change to the family's normal daily experience impacts Princess and Nikki greatly. Princess spends season 5 determined to get to know Kat and finally get answers about why Kat left Princess and Tyler years ago.
Meanwhile, Nikki spends the time feeling separated from Princess, watching Jason focus on school to become a social worker, and feeling out of place in her own family. Tyler is also present, but the narrative treats him more like a background character than a series regular.
Another main subplot comes from Scott wondering what the meaning of his life is, as he has had several ideas and grand plans, but none have truly worked out. Scott abandoned his plan to cross the ocean, hiding in his basement until Karen eventually found him, and none of his other ideas have ever truly gained any traction.
Scott's sense of self is briefly tackled in therapy, but it is Karen who aims to show Scott just how important he is to her and their family, even if his vision for WoodScott does not necessarily work out for everyone else. Trying aims to portray a more serious approach to season 5, addressing growing pains for everyone in various ways while still aiming for its comical identity.
Trying's determination to do both shows a desire to embrace change while still working to keep the core of what the show is. In doing so, it falls into a strange limbo. It does not quite bring back all of the quirky and neurotic behaviors of the previous seasons, but it never fully becomes a dark drama either.
Trying season 5 sits at a crossroads between what the show was and a more mature version of what it could be as Princess and Tyler grow older. This in-between narrative prevents the show from fully going full-speed ahead in either direction and keeps it stuck in neutral.
Trying is at its best when it is quirky, chaotic, neurotic, and heartfelt. Season 5 works to emulate a different version of that, one where its episodes are a little more of a hit-or-miss scenario than previous installments. While the characters are never truly unrecognizable, the fifth season itself occasionally appears to be going through a similar identity crisis as its main characters.
However, it is significant to see that Trying is willing to see a more grown-up version of the show and tackle more emotional storylines. Creating an opportunity for Princess to try to get answers about her past plays an essential role in her character and one that helps her grow up and develop as a person. Sadly, Tyler does not get the same treatment. While he is a few years younger, Tyler still should have been treated more seriously in this storyline, as dealing with and getting answers from Kat at the same time could have been beneficial to both siblings.
Instead, while Princess undergoes an emotional transcendence and appreciation for Nikki and Jason for always being present, Tyler is just there, never once impacted by the emotional turbulence around him, even when Kat briefly moves into their home toward the end of the season. After spending time in scenes with Kat but never being the main focus, given that she left for Princess, giving Tyler at least one chance to have a one-on-one moment with Kat could have added more depth to a character who did not have that much to do. Princess holds the emotional weight of the storyline well, as she must deal with the excitement of having Kat around and the emotional lows when Kat forgets their plans and never has any real answers for Princess.
Trying's decision to lean into the aspect of growing pains, self-reflection, and uncertainty gave a sense of relatability to the main family dynamic. The story suggests that not everything in life is easy and that adapting to change can be more difficult. It does succeed in these stories. Nikki's brief crush on her co-worker Kelly, as she feels worried that her family is moving on without her, offers an inner look at marital issues without pulling the trigger on Nikki, performing an act she cannot take back.
Instead, it results in Nikki and Jason having a more honest conversation about where they are at in their marriage and relationship. They are strong enough to overcome this, but that does not mean that they should not pay attention to whether they are losing sight of their marriage in the face of so many new changes happening at once.
Not everything can stay the same forever, and Trying captures that in season 5. The show offers a new version of itself by committing to a slightly new tone and offering storylines that hint that the picture-perfect family may not always be in sync. The decision to embrace change can either hurt the best part of the show or open up new possibilities for the future while reflecting the honesty of changing reality. Trying season 5 may not be exactly what previous years were, but it still shares the core values of caring about family and embracing the chaos of change.
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