WHAT IT'S ABOUT: Acting coach Gene Cousineau (Henry Winkler) is catatonic with grief over the presumed death of his lover and soul mate, Det. Janice Moss (Paula Newsome), at the close of the first season. (She is listed as missing by the start of the second.) He's so grief-stricken that he can't teach class _ posing a crisis for Barry (Bill Hader), who is now fully engaged with his new vocation, or avocation, as actor. Class is also a means to bond even closer to his own soul mate, Sally (Sarah Goldberg). More complications: Chechen mobster NoHo Hank (Anthony Carrigan) has a job for Barry and approaches him at his day job at a Lululemon's. But former hit man Barry wants to stay "former." And more complications: Barry's old handler, Fuches (Stephen Root), needs to reconnect with Barry, too.
Barry Berkman/Barry Block _ hit man and former U.S. Marine _ ended the first season in a confrontation with Det Moss at Cousineau's weekend cabin. She was about to arrest him, then a gunshot is heard off-screen. Moss is now presumed dead. As Barry got back in bed afterward, he stared up at the ceiling, then said _ cryptically _ "starting now."
MY SAY: Some dramas yearn to be comedies, and some comedies yearn to be dramas. When they achieve any sort of balance, they're accorded a "frankenword" for the accomplishment _ dramedy. But what's the word for when they don't? The first season of "Barry" seemed to be reaching for whatever that was.
