A Man on the Inside: The Spy Who Came In From The Cold

November 28, 2024 8:53 PM - Season 1, Episode 8

Charles solves the case.

I called it: it was Gladys having memory issues. (This is probably the one mystery I've ever managed to solve on television.) Didi rudely kicks him out ASAP for that.

Maybe I'm just not lie-sensitive, but people getting SO HUFFY ABOUT YOU LIED TO ME!!! and I'm all, uh, he was/is your friend, he was just looking out for another issue at the same time! He was doing a job! I get Didi getting annoyed, but Calvert huffing off...

Well, I'm glad things resolved and Charles got his friend back and got to go to the wedding.

posted by jenfullmoon (10 comments total)

I'm glad that sincerity is something that Ted Danson can do so well. This show could have died with a different actor as Charles.
posted by Acari at 7:24 PM on November 29, 2024 [6 favorites]

Not exactly a shocking solution to the mystery, but very satisfying wrap up.

This was a lovely limited series, and should probably be a stand alone, but I would still watch a follow up if Netflix greenlit one. "I do need you to say more, but I'm in."
posted by the primroses were over at 6:39 PM on December 2, 2024 [3 favorites]

Yeah, I'm not sure how much I'd like it with a different set of senior citizens slapped into place and a new mystery, but a new mystery with the same group could be doable, even as a sort of soft pilot to a more sincere sort of "hey, old people are still people, y'know" show.
posted by Kyol at 7:27 PM on December 2, 2024 [2 favorites]

This one was a lot for me as my mother is at the very tail end of dementia now, and my father passed in the first few months of COVID.

I knew Gladys had taken the necklace pretty much as soon as we saw signs of her dementia, because I watched my mother 'tidy' small objects around the house into safe little spots, and then had an adventure with the staff of the short term respite place we took them to finding items of theirs that another resident had collected.

I thought it was a deeply human, lovely show. The stunt casting from The Good Place was cute. I agree it should be a limited series. Clearly completely told in those few hours.
posted by bcd at 1:59 AM on December 5, 2024 [2 favorites]

The stunt casting from The Good Place was cute

I needed one "Not a ______" reference from D'arcy Carden to really feel fulfilled on that front.
posted by AndrewInDC at 6:33 AM on December 6, 2024 [3 favorites]

I was late to the party on this one, I found it an utter delight, watching actors who were in some legendary TV shows and movies all together in one retirement home. And please someone find a reason to cast Stephanie Beatriz and Lilah Richcreek Estrada in something else together, because their face-off was so fun.

‘A Man On The Inside’ Renewed For Season 2 By Netflix

Lol at this Mike Schur quote:
“We are thrilled to make another season of A Man on the Inside, starring young up-and-comer Ted Danson,” said Schur as told to Tudum.com. “From our partners at Netflix and Universal TV to the writers, cast, and crew, it’s a truly exceptional team of talented and lovely people, with one notable exception (young up-and-comer Ted Danson, who’s kind of a nightmare).”
posted by creepygirl at 12:54 PM on December 16 [6 favorites]

They definitely ended it open to more seasons. I did get some Only Murders in the Building vibes/inspiration. The relationship between Charles and Julie felt a bit like that of Charles and Mabel. And the structure being one "case" per season (although common) is here too. But still enjoyed it greatly; thought the cast was all great. I feel like the final scene with the son (Marc Evan Jackson) could have been better written a smidge and Jackson played it a bit too similar to his character from The Good Place.

I like it when shows use types of actors that are less commonly used (one reason that Murder, She Wrote as so great, since it cast so many good, but older, character actors as guests).
posted by skynxnex at 3:02 PM on December 17 [1 favorite]

What a little gem.

I have never been a Ted Danson fan but damn he deserves an Emmy for this.
posted by Lemkin at 7:30 PM on December 21 [1 favorite]

It occurred to me that “a man on the inside” could take on a new, psychological meaning by the end of the season. I.e. Charles’ character growth.
posted by sylvanshine at 12:18 AM on January 4 [1 favorite]

I loved this show so much. It really hit a lot of nerves, since pretty much everyone I know has parents who have gone through this or are going through this now. And I guess all of us will go through it ourselves fairly soon. But still a great show. I'm glad there will be some more.
posted by freakazoid at 4:19 PM on January 8