Disney+ Hotstar’s The Trial Season 2 continues with Noyonika Sengupta (Kajol) grappling with the aftermath of her husband Rajiv’s (Jissu Sengupta) corruption and sex scandal. Now released from prison and pursuing a political career, Rajiv pulls Noyonika further into a complicated mix of law, romance, and power conflicts. This season had the potential for more compelling storytelling, but the execution often feels tedious and overly drawn out. Kajol, while sincere, portrays Noyonika at a heightened intensity that contrasts with the character’s supposed quiet strength. Her forceful performance overshadows scenes, leaving little space for subtlety. The writers attempt to intertwine her legal struggles with her challenges as a mother, but the outcome is a disjointed array of subplots that lack coherence.
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The cases—ranging from a masseuse accusing a philanthropist of wrongdoing to disputes among influencers in court—start with promise but quickly lose steam. The queer subplot appears more as a political statement than a genuine narrative element. Additionally, Rajiv’s journey back into politics is stretched thin across episodes, further slowing the pacing. Umesh Bist’s direction shows some potential, particularly in enhancing the roles of Sheeba Chaddha and Kubbra Sait. Sonali Kulkarni also stands out as the opposing politician Narayani Bhole, adding some seriousness to the proceedings. However, even these performances cannot compensate for the show’s inconsistent writing and reliance on clichés. The series suffers from its six-episode format, which unnecessarily elongates individual cases.
In contrast to The Good Wife, which it heavily imitates, The Trial struggles to build engaging momentum or originality. Although Kajol has demonstrated her capability in mother-centered roles, her dialogue-heavy portrayal here comes across as repetitive and exaggerated. The supporting cast frequently eclipses her, making her seem more reactive than authoritative. Ultimately, The Trial Season 2 is more bombastic but lacks intelligence. Despite some enhanced secondary characters, the series fails to provide a captivating courtroom drama, hampered by overwrought performances and uninspired writing.