So Help Me Todd – Season 2 Episode 1 “Iceland was Horrible” Recap & Review

Iceland was Horrible

Episode 1 of So Help Me Todd’s Season 2 begins with an introduction to where our characters are currently. Margaret has started a romantic relationship with Gus. She even manifests a five-day getaway to his house while one of the firm’s topmost clients, KOLP, goes through a horrible tragedy.

The local news station is jarred after its morning show’s popular anchor, James Boule, is killed on air by falling set lights. Meanwhile, Todd has finally got his license back and has moved out of Allison’s garage. The tables have turned and it is Allison who is crashing at Todd’s sofa temporarily.

Todd’s new apartment and new energy show he has come a long way from the heartbreak of watching Susan get on that flight in last season’s finale. Allison has swapped positions with Todd. She is going through a tough divorce with Chuck and has coloured her hair blonde for a change. Margaret gets ready for her big-name-partner breakfast in the building’s elevator.

Francey fetches some clothes from her apartment as Harry is overstaying his welcome. It is driving Margaret crazy but she has a lot on her plate for now. Firstly, Todd has started a boutique PI firm inside the office. He insists that he be allowed even more liberties like liaising with other lawyers at the firm and taking on private clients. Before Margaret can deal with this, Beverly tells her about an unfolding crisis at the firm.

They have lost big-ticket clients and have to downsize. As the new managing partner, it is Margaret’s responsibility to see this to the end. However, as she is about to fire one of the workers, Margaret chooses to let it slide. She wants to make one last-ditch attempt to win some of the clients back.

Susan is now married to Peter and walks with a new confidence. Despite his feelings, Todd welcomes and congratulates her with a gravy boat of flowers.

Margaret meets with Jennifer Gianola, a friend and former client, who is charged with James’ murder. After some pleading, Jennifer agrees to take on Margaret as her lawyer. She accuses Roy Dobbs, an intern at the office, of being the killer. She alleges that Roy and James were in a romantic relationship and things got sour recently. As Margaret approaches Todd to find Roy, the former intern walks into his office. Todd takes him on as a client, despite Margaret’s protests and potential conflict of interest.

Roy says that anyone at the office could be the killer. James did not get along well with many of his co-workers. Also, after the broadcast starts, the set is locked down. So the murderer is definitely someone in the room during the broadcast. Todd attaches a tracking device to each of the cars and goes undercover as the new intern.

He stirs up controversy and gets valuable info about James. Todd later learns that Timmi Chalise, another co-worker, wanted James’ job and also disliked him. Jennifer is fired from the job. Margaret clarifies that not only does Jennifer have a motive but the circumstantial evidence is strong against her. The anchor remains unfazed, which gives Margaret confidence that she isn’t the killer. Bart Matthews has been promoted to do James’ job. Both these men are now on Margaret and Todd’s suspect lists.

Lawrence’s 40th birthday celebrations take place at Margaret’s apartment. Everyone in the family is there – Allison, Chet, Harry…But Margaret is in for a surprise as Gus also drops by. It is not until Todd arrives at the party, spots Harry, and goes for his throat with a broken bottle that Gus and Harry become acquainted with each other. When he learns the nature of their relationship, Gus leaves the party. 

Soon, Allison is called in for an emergency. It is none other than Jennifer, who has been electrocuted under mysterious circumstances. She will live but this certainly puts her clear of suspicion. The buck turns toward Roy, who was seen leaving her apartment minutes after she was electrocuted. Roy, who is now in custody, explains that she called him to discuss the identity of the real killer. Roy also reveals that James and he contacted each other using a drop-phone, which Todd finds later in James’ secret safe.

Todd hurries to search James’ anchor desk on set to find a clue that would help in opening the safe. Although he finds the combination, Todd is unable to make it out in time as the broadcasting starts and the set is locked. Todd pivots and finds a way to tell Margaret the code. He locks Chalise inside the soundproof booth and takes over the weather forecast segment. Once she gets it open, Margaret calls the last number dialled from the phone. Todd hears a sound up in the rafters as the lightman, John, is revealed to be the killer.

He also loved James but they were unrequited feelings. Back at the firm, Margaret decides to accept most of Todd’s conditions, except she slashes his salary in half to adjust the other workers on the payroll. Beverly isn’t too impressed with Margaret’s defiance of her plan and concocts to install Susan as a puppet partner.

Todd proclaims to Allison that he is never turning back to the dark days and wants to continue his journey upward in his career. Margaret makes it clear to Harry that he lost his chance when he abandoned her. They will get divorced soon, as it would clear the way for her relationship with Gus. 

The Episode Review

Funny, mature, emotional, and thoroughly entertaining…that is Episode 1 in a nutshell! So Help Me Todd has presented arguably its best episode to date. All the groundwork done in the previous season has spurred the characters to make great choices for themselves. Not falling into old habits and carving a new path is always tough but bears rich dividends. Margaret and Todd have both made the most of hindsight.

Their topsy-turvy chemistry is timeless and an essential cog in the storytelling. Perhaps it is Allison’s turn to pick herself up from the bottom and never look back.

Episode 1 is decidedly more focused on dealing with the emotional side of things. The chaos is restrained and moulded into a catalyst for humour that doesn’t resemble the show’s cable network roots at all.

A lot of loose ends are closed to start new chapters and more interesting subplots in Season 2. Beyond the feel-good elements, Episode 1 of So Help Me Todd’s new season showcases the perfection of the formula that should serve the viewers well.