‘Trying’ Season 2 Recap: What to Know Before Season 3

Trying, Apple TV+‘s original series about a British couple who set out to become parents, returns for a third season on July 22. It’s been more than a year since the Season 2 finale premiered, so it’s high time for a refresher.
In Season 1, after learning their chances of conceiving children are incredibly slim, Nikki (Esther Smith) and Jason (Rafe Spall) decide to go all-in on adoption. The dramedy’s sophomore season finds the couple learning firsthand just how emotionally taxing the process can be, and with a little help from friends and family, the two work to get their lives on track.
Trying‘s second season is relatively rocky for *checks notes* EVERYONE, but by the end of the eight episodes things seem to be looking up for most characters. That said, there’s still a lot to remember ahead of Season 3, including a heartwarming (albeit potentially devastating) finale cliffhanger that’s sure to play a huge role in Season 3.
Here’s a Trying Season 2 recap to refresh your memory ahead of Season 3.

The Adoption Process Is Taking A Toll On Nikki And Jason

The Season 2 premiere kicks off one heck of an emotional rollercoaster for Nikki and Jason. Shortly into the first episode their social worker Penny (Imelda Staunton) visits to tip them off about a boy named James who will be on the system in 24 hours. Nikki and Jason get attached to the idea of adopting James, only to find out that another couple with a child was selected over them. In hopes of lifting their spirits they plan to attend an adoption event where they can meet children who haven’t found homes yet, but they arrive too late and miss everyone. Well, almost everyone. Nikki shares a smile with a young girl named Princess (Eden Togwell), so she and Jason decide to formally submit interest in her. They meet Princess’ social worker and teacher, but learn she’s going to be split up from her little brother Tyler (Mickey McAnulty). They desperately want to adopt both kids, but they’ve only been approved for one child. Just as they’re about to get their hopes up again, Penny tells them another family who can adopt both Princess and Tyler was approved to adopt them. Jason and Nikki are crushed, but fortunately, things look up towards the end of the season. We’ll get to that in a bit…

Jason’s Parents Are On The Mend

Trying Season 2 was full of relationship drama, including a separation between Jason’s parents Sandra (Paula Wilcox) and Vic (Phil Davis). After Jason’s grandmother dies, his mom decides she needs to start living life to the fullest. She leaves Jason’s dad, a kindhearted complacent bore, in search of a more exciting existence. Unsure of what to do without his wife, Vic heads to Nikki and Jason’s and distracts himself by going full handyman. After a few enlightening pep talks, he heads home with an open mind and gifts his wife dancing shoes to show he’s open to fresh, fun experiences. Vice promises to try one new thing every day, and the two make amends.

Things With Freddy And Erica Are Complicated

The second season opens with the recently separated Freddy (Oliver Chris) and Erica (Ophelia Lovibond) butting heads at their baby’s Christening. Freddy’s in the middle of moving out of the house, he rolls up to the church with his young new girlfriend Harper, and things between him and Erica are visibly tense. They fight over what to name their baby in front of everyone before returning to their respective empty homes to sulk. As the season progresses, the spritely twenty-something Freddy’s dating tires him out. Meanwhile, Erica tries to get back on the dating scene, but matches with an insufferable CrossFit bro. Before the season ends, the two get the hang of separate coparenting, apologize to each other, and sleep together. Can’t wait to see what Season 3 has in store for these fern parents.

Karen And Scott Finally Tied The Knot

Another couple who had ups and downs in Season 2? Nikki’s sister Karen (Sian Brooke) and her fiancé Scott (Darren Boyd). As you may recall, Scott’s a writer working to craft the great American novel while going about his days as pretentiously as possible. Still, Karen agreed to marry him, and after she goes wedding dress shopping with Nikki and their mom reality starts setting in. While working as a teacher, Karen meets a handsome single dad who flirts with her whenever he comes to pick his daughter up. Eventually they meet for drinks, kiss, and Karen goes over to his house. Before the affair has a chance to begin, she leaves. But even at her Bachelorette party, she has second thoughts about marrying Scott. When she gets home, he has a romantic gesture waiting and tells her he’s so lucky to be with her. The two get married in the Season 2 finale and we learn that Scott secretly planned a Secret Garden-themed ceremony in honor of Karen’s favorite book. Major props to this guy. He really turned things around.

Nikki And Jason Are Engaged

At the wedding, Freddy tells Jason, “Proposing to someone at a wedding is like murdering someone at a funeral. It’s gonna draw focus.” And yet, Jason does it anyway. After the ceremony, he takes Nikki aside and starts to pop the big question, but the two are interrupted by Penny, who famously wasn’t invited! We’ll talk about why she proposal crashed in a second, but first we need to discuss the end of the episode, when Jason re-proposes and Nikki says yes. Yeah, we’re crying! Who isn’t?

What Happens with Princess and Tyler?

Oh yeah, so Penny ruined Jason’s first proposal because she had BIG news. Turns out Princess and Tyler’s placement broke down, leaving the kids with nowhere to go and Jason and Nikki with the opportunity to temporarily care for Princess. There’s a chance the placement could become permanent, so they leave the wedding to go pick her up. Sadly, because they’ve only been approved to adopt one child, Jason and Nikki have to separate Princess from Tyler. After an emotional goodbye they take Princess home with them, only to discover that Tyler snuck out and hid in their trunk.

Oh yeah, so Penny ruined Jason’s first proposal because she had BIG news. Turns out Princess and Tyler’s placement broke down, leaving the kids with nowhere to go and Jason and Nikki with the opportunity to temporarily care for Princess. There’s a chance the placement could become permanent, so they leave the wedding to go pick her up. Sadly, because they’ve only been approved to adopt one child, Jason and Nikki have to separate Princess from Tyler. After an emotional goodbye they take Princess home with them, only to discover that Tyler snuck out and hid in their trunk.