The comedy series returns to find Reagan (Jana Schmieding), Nathan (Ed Helms) and Terry (Michael Greyeyes) dealing with a town-wide revamp, a mayoral election, romantic complications and more.
So it’s a surprise and something of a relief that for the rest of the season, Nathan actually does make good on his epiphany. He spends much of its eight half-hour episodes taking a backseat to Terry in his campaign to get 18-year-old Bobbie elected mayor, or lending a sympathetic ear to Reagan about complications in her personal and professional life. The new and improved Nathan makes for a far more likable character than the clueless, self-absorbed son of privilege we met last year.
For Reagan, the focus is on expanding her cultural center and applying for a land assignment, both with help from a new curator.
Meanwhile, Terry’s central concern is steering Rutherford Falls through his ambitious plans to revamp the town center as a Colonial Williamsburg-style tourist destination. His ideas attract the ire of local business owners like Feather Day , who’s none too thrilled about being forced to rename her boutique fitness studio “Ye Olde Sweat” in keeping with his new mandates.
Horn and especially Goldtooth fit so seamlessly into the cast it seems they’ve always been there — which helps make up for what loses of the quirky small-town vibe of the previous season, what with characters like Deirdre, Reagan’s radio producer ex Josh and Nathan’s brother Duz getting reduced or less prominent roles.‘ humor runs more wry than gut-busting, this time with even less emotionally explosive drama to tip it off course.