After a spectacular first season, Kaley Cuoco stars alongside Chris Messina and Tom Bateman in this dark comedy series about a serial killer and the ambitious but out-of-luck couple who catch him. In season 1, Ava (Cuoco) and Nathan Bartlett (Messina) caught Matt Pierce (Bateman) red-handed, but after their podcast series blew up, things took a turn.

Based on a True Story picks up some time after season 1 ended, and while the Bartletts continue to struggle, Matt appears to have landed on his feet, along with a considerable windfall that was gifted to him to get the killer out of the country by the Bartletts. However, things get complicated with a new baby in the house, and the fact that Matt is now dating Ava's sister, Tory (Liana Liberato). Things get wacky and dark as the Bartletts' life goes into yet another tailspin that connects them to terrifying killers.

Based On A True Story Season 2 Takes A Minute To Hit Its Stride

After a tantalizing season 1, the follow-up season seems to struggle with where to take the story next — at least initially. The first half of season 2 leans into the wild fantasies and daydreams that were peppered throughout season 1, but they become more psychedelic and unusual here. Fortunately, that development seems to dissipate quickly, and the series gets into the real heart of the story with new fame and mysteries for the Bartletts to resolve.

The first half of season 2 leans into the wild fantasies and daydreams that were peppered throughout season 1, but they become more psychedelic and unusual here.

The addition of Brooklyn Nine-Nine's Melissa Fumero is an inspired choice as her chemistry with Cuoco is entertaining and free-flowing. And seeing the friendship between Matt and Nathan develop is one of the absolute highlights of the series. While season 2 gets off to a rocky start, the latter half makes up for it with some incredible twists and turns that leave us on the hook for season 3.

That said, some elements of the show are wedged in to fill time, and the series doesn't do enough to explore the core narrative being told in season 2. Had the show doubled down on the elements contained in the second half, rather than deviating into odd directions early on, Based on a True Story's sophomore outing could have been a lot more cohesive and satisfying. As it stands, it's a mixed bag that only begins to pick up the pace after trying to tie up the end of season 1.

The Timing Is Weird In Season 2

Overall, it feels as though the timing in season 2 was not ideal as a whole. Despite ending with a big showstopping finale in season 1, season 2 picks up after some time. The complications that came from creating the true crime podcast, dealing with the death of their friend, Ruby, and having their baby all happened between the end of season 1 and the start of season 2. We're left playing catch-up as these events unfold, but they have a fairly minimal impact on the story being told in season 2.

There was no need to revisit these plot points, and it only made the story in season 2 weaker as a whole.

Instead of skipping ahead, going backward repeatedly to establish the context, and then moving on to the new narrative, it would have made more sense to commit to one direction. Either have the in-between events be at the heart of the new mystery, or ignore them and give them the minimal amount of attention possible. There was no need to revisit these plot points, and it only made the season 2 story weaker as a whole.

Fortunately, when things do get back on track, season 2 sticks the landing. The exploration of the relationships — between Ava and her new friend, Nathan and Matt, and Matt with his new girlfriend, Tory — makes everything deliciously complicated. Luckily, Based on a True Story season 2 manages to recover just in time to deliver another incredible season finale which, hopefully, does enough to get the show renewed for season 3.

Based on a True Story season 2 will be available to stream on Peacock on Thursday, November 21.