I don’t know that So Help Me Todd 1×16 “Twelve Worried Persons” is the best episode of the season, though it has to be in the running. It is certainly one of the most fun episodes of the show thus far. While tackling one of the more interesting mysteries-of-the-week, the episode managed to move a couple plot threads forward that have been dangling for a while. Which is something that was sorely needed, so close to the season finale.
Home Truths
In the So Help Me Todd episode “Twelve Worried Persons,” multiple plot threads are seamlessly woven together, creating a rich and engaging narrative. The episode features a central mystery—the murder of a juror at Susan’s first trial—alongside various subplots that deepen the character dynamics.
Margaret (Marcia Gay Harden) faces the fallout of her sister Patty’s (Kathryn Greenwood) visit, which includes an inconvenient revelation. Allison (Madeline Wise) continues to struggle with her marriage, while Todd (Skylar Astin) introduces a new love interest, Amy (Briga Heelan), who complicates matters for Susan (Inga Schlingmann). The interplay of these elements adds layers of intrigue and tension.
The team’s collaborative effort to solve the weekly mystery feels more engaging than usual. The dynamic brainstorming sessions, though lacking Susan’s direct involvement, bring a fresh, chaotic energy that enhances the scene’s appeal. This group synergy is a welcome shift and one that could be explored further in future episodes.
However, the episode’s true focus extends beyond the mystery. It delves deeply into the Wright family’s emotional turmoil. The revelation that their father, despite being a good dad, was a poor husband introduces a painful truth. Margaret had been planning to leave him due to emotional abuse, a fact that shakes Todd and Allison’s perceptions of their father. Despite this, the siblings’ unwavering support for their mother reflects their growth as a family.
Allison’s struggles are particularly poignant. The realization of her mother’s unhappiness prompts Allison to confront her own dissatisfaction with her marriage. While it remains uncertain whether this will lead to divorce, it signals a significant step towards self-honesty and addressing marital issues. Acknowledging problems is the first step toward resolution, and Allison’s journey toward honesty is a crucial element of her character’s development.
Overall, “Twelve Worried Persons” masterfully balances mystery with emotional exploration, offering a compelling and multifaceted episode that enriches the So Help Me Todd series.
Suddenly Susan
If there’s one area of So Help Me Todd 1×16 “Twelve Worried Persons” disappoints, it’s a recurring one. The episode starts with Susan preparing to go into her first jury trial. When she witnesses the juror’s death, it seems that she’ll finally – finally – take a bit of center stage and we’ll get to explore her character more. But rather than using this as a vehicle to explore Susan’s character in greater depth, the plot is used as an excuse to shift her even more to the sidelines. She’s a witness, so she can’t possibly help with the investigation!
From a real-world perspective, that probably makes sense. But we so often have to suspend disbelief when watching television. I’d have happily suspended this one to see her character more. Which isn’t to say that Susan has no role this week. We do get to see her reaction to Todd and Amy’s kiss. And, of course, she isn’t happy about it.
We’re so close to the end of the season, I suppose we might as well wait to see how this particular plot plays out. But so far (and I know I sound like a broken record on this), I feel like this is the one area of the show where the writers are really dropping the ball.
It’s fun to be a shipper. It’s fun to root for your favorite couple. There’s even something fun about the agony of watching your ship confront roadblocks. As long as will-they-won’t-they love-triangle nonsense isn’t dragged out too long.
To a certain extent, you can root for a ship because it’s too pretty people standing next to each other, I suppose. But to really invest in a ship, you have to root for both sides. You have to care about both parties in the relationship. Which means understanding them. Or at least knowing them, in some degree. We care when our ship is hurt because we can feel the hurt alongside them. We sympathize when they’re being idiots because we understand why they are the way they are. Even if we don’t always agree with it.
Over the entire course of the first season, the audience hasn’t really had a chance to get to know Susan. We certainly haven’t been invited to truly understand her, what she’s thinking, or why she does the things she does. She kissed Todd because…she’s uncertain in her relationship, I suppose. (Why? Because Peter’s (Desmond Chiam) so busy? I guess?) And Todd is there, and they have a history. She even seems kinda turned on by other people trashing him. She wants…something. She’s drawn to Todd because…reasons. And she’s not just accepting that and breaking things off with Peter because…? She’s pushing Todd away because….? We want her and Todd to get together because…why not?
There’s so much potential to Susan’s character. Her awkwardness in her first opening argument is endearing. She has moments where you think the show is finally going to give her more to do…only to be disappointed. With the way the writers pushed Susan to the side again with only a couple more episodes to the season, I can’t help but be skeptical that we’ll get there this year. But, boy, would I love to be proven wrong.
