‘Trying’ Recap: ‘Murder at Slaughterbridge Manor’

​Written by John Edward Betancourt 

Darren Boyd as Scott in Episode 403 of ‘Trying’ - ‘Murder at Slaughterbridge Manor’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 403 of ‘Trying’. To revisit the Season Four Premiere, click here.
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There are a great many reasons that audiences tune into the hit Apple TV+ series, Trying. For some, it’s about the cast, because let’s be honest, Rafe Spall and Esther Smith are simply incredible as Jason and Nikki, and offer performances that are honest and relatable, and the supporting cast only adds to that majesty. For others, it is about the comedy. Since this series is downright funny and adds a little giggle to moments that we oft take a little too serious in life. But of the many reasons that we all tune in, there is one that we all share in. In that, at its core, this is a series about life, and we thoroughly enjoy the powerful lessons it sends our way.

For we’ve learned a lot about love over the past four seasons and how to be better partners courtesy of what our heroes have endured. Not to mention, so many of us have related to their quest to become parents and build a family and a legacy and well, the show’s ability to teach us amazing life lessons is top of mind today, because quite the powerful one popped up during this week’s tale. A feat that ‘Murder at Slaughterbridge Manor’ accomplished by having everyone arrive at a lovely rental mansion, because that’s a thing apparently, to celebrate Scott’s fiftieth birthday. Which he was of course, deeply looking forward to. Because this was a chance to just feel the love and have a great time with his friends, via a murder mystery, even.

But alas, Scott’s plans went the wayside quick. For no one came to find his ‘corpse’ for the murder mystery. Instead, everyone was mired in other tasks. Such as say, finding the right words to celebrate Scott since Jason was tasked with that, and he struggled to find detailed things to say about him. Or… they were worried about tomorrow and their emotions. Since Tyler worked to let go of Bev and grow, and Princess was eager to help her grandfather get back into the dating game. All of which, left Scott sitting in silence and he began to think upon his life and had a sorrowful epiphany, one that he needed to prove was right, and thankfully, Jason’s rough speech at dinner finally confirmed… that he hadn’t done anything with his life. 

Sure, he was successful in his work, he was a good father and good husband. But he had accomplished nothing more, and that bothered him to no end, that he might leave this life and have nothing to show for it. So, he decided, to do something bold, to row across the Atlantic. To leave a mark and start a conversation about rising sea levels for his little one, and well… what a lesson that offered. In that, there will come a day where we take inventory on our life, and our actions, and we will ponder upon what kind of mark we are leaving on this world. And if we cannot find a good one, that rightfully should scare us. For we only have so long on this planet, and we do leave people behind that will speak of us, so we should indeed… give them plenty to talk about when we say farewell.   

All of which made, for a bittersweet but powerful episode. One that reminded us to live in the moment and do special things, and to perhaps come to the understanding that Scott did, sooner rather than later. Just so we feel as though we are living life to the fullest, and this show deserves a round of applause for offering up this lesson. Because it is one, we forget about, and one some of us ignore, but it is one we must learn for certain, and it was of course, handled in a hilarious manner. For the jokes worked here and helped the lesson to stick, and well, all of that just speaks to this show’s brilliance. For it really is the perfect series about life, and it truly knows how to explore the important moments we will encounter, and it will be interesting to see what other lessons lie ahead as season four of this magnificent series, continues along. Until next time.

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