A Man on the Inside

Writing a review of this show requires familiarity with the context and content. Having three parents dealing with the challenges of assisted living made this more enjoyable and more affecting.

Ted Danson plays an octogenarian widower (Charles) who is struggling with establishing a new routine after the passing of his wife due to dementia related health issues.

Through a series of classic sitcom plot devices, Charles secures a job as an undercover detective in an assisted living facility (what used to be referred to as an 'old folks home') to solve a jewelry theft. His boss, Lilah Richcreek Estrada as Julie, is a black and white, anything goes to solve the case, sarcastic foil for Danson's kind hearted and square Charles.

The two are quickly put at odds with the facility's director (well played by Stephanie Beatriz as Didi), Charles' daughter Emily (Mary Elizabeth Ellis) and the various residents and their many goofy issues.

There are several poorly conceived shticks focused around older women being randy that don't fit the rest of the stories, and the outrageously disrespectful (and interchangeable) three teenage sons of Charles's daughter are distracting and throwaway.

The best parts are Charles's slow immersion in his new community with a few social connections with other residents, especially Caleb, played by Stephen McKinley Henderson. Also fun are the dead on jokes and commentary on assisted living and the things that happen there.

The awkward banter between Charles and boss Julie is funny. And while daughter Emily's home life is not all that interesting, it sets up a couple of great scenes between her and Charles in the later episodes.

The wrap up isn't terribly hard to figure out (who stole what, and what will happen to Charles), but the sentimental parts of Charles's reawakening and acceptance of his wife's death are very worthwhile.

There are some small parts played by old stars (Sally Struthers, Veronica Cartwright) that might make older viewers smile, but are mostly wasted on nonsense jokes about old people and sex.

All in all I recommend it, especially to viewers in their late forties and older.

**PERSONAL SIDE NOTE **

After four months of encouraging my FIL (he's86) to sign up for Netflix and watch this he finally did. This is a guy who doesn't watch much TV and almost no movies. AND he goes to bed at 6:30. Lost his wife to vascular dementia, retired architect, buttoned down retiree like Danson's character, and a daughter (my wife) who has been the one keeping him together.

We stayed and watched the first episode with him. My wife bet me he'd watch another episode after we left.

At 9:30(!) he texted to say he'd watched FOUR episodes.

The next morning he texted to say he'd watched the last four by 10.

Said he couldn't stop laughing or wiping tears from his eyes.

Thanked us and asked when season two was coming out.

My MIL has been gone for about a month and it was a salve for him to have this series to watch.

Son and I watched over holidays and we both enjoyed it immensely. Ted is a true gem, the guest stars were all people we knew from past shows and we got to see them again, reminding us how good they are. We binge watched this because the episodes were short which is perfect to keep our interest. There is a great chance for this to continue with so much more fun and games among an aging population. So much information just in the storyline about nursing homes, aging/elderly, grief and loss, friendships and honesty. It has a small tinge of murders in the building but unique in its own way with the mix of young and old in thoughts and technology. This show is a winner for me.

Loved this show. It's just a good watch. The plot might seem cliché but it unexpectedly surprised me with the depth they managed to put in this show. It explores the experience of old age via exploration of many issues related to it like loneliness, friendships, grief/loss, death, and dementia. I was incredibly impressed they managed to balance the humor of solving the case and the seriousness of these heavier topics.

Besides that, the characters are super likable and the episodes are on the shorter side so it's a pretty easy watch. The acting is pretty good, they capture cringe comedy well (in a good way). You could watch this as a family with older kids (tween and above).

I'm honestly pretty excited for the next season, one of a kind show for sure. You should give it a watch!

How can one not appreciate Ted Danson. Guys a legend, like Tom Sellecks mustache. Anyway, I found this show to be a boy of everything. Some pretty funny lines, two very attractive lead female characters which never hurts, and as well, a great message about bonds that are formed in life. Especially in the later stages, when things truly matter for the right reasons.

I also found this show resonating with me, being that it touches upon dementia. Losing my father recently, and who battled this terrible disease, simply made me feel more connected. Yet, as each episode progressed, I became more invested, and found each character to be charming and endearing in their own unique way.

I definitely recommend this series, and I also look forward to another season. It is feel good, not totally gut wrenching like some scenes in the classic film "on Golden Pond", and all an all, just a relaxing and well written show.

I'm a big fan on Danson, from Cheers to Becker to Good Place and now here. I have to admit, I hate seeing him get older, but it happens to us all.

The premise and setting didn't seem that interesting at first, probably because I'm half his age. But I'll be darned if these sweet old characters didn't draw me right in.

It's so rare these days to find a good show, and on Netflix of all places. Most seem rushed, or on a bottom of the barrel budget. But not here. The acting, the casting, the writing, the directing...all flawlessly done. I'd recommend it for that reason alone. It keeps you glued to the story, not bored scrolling.

Looking forward to season 2, I just hope it can match half the charm season 1 provides.