Netflix’s Near-Perfect Comedy Still Needs To Fix This Major Problem Before Season 3

Netflix has many bingeable shows, but it’s officially renewed one of its best. Starring the likes of Tina Fey, Steve Carell, Colman Domingo, and others, The Four Seasons tells a hilarious yet emotionally resonant story that touches on a variety of relatable themes, including the end of a marriage and the loss of a close friend. Given Season 2‘s recent release, Season 3’s renewal isn’t especially surprising, but it is welcome. Although fans will have to wait a while to see where the story goes next, Season 3 promises more chaotic fun from its beloved characters, and maybe even some new faces to create new drama.

Although the show’s renewal is great news, The Four Seasons has one big issue to fix in Season 3. Throughout Season 2, the show has struggled with uneven pacing, with major developments occurring off-screen while other storylines drag on. Season 2 is overall an exciting watch that leaves viewers wanting more, but the show’s creators will need to address this problem now that The Four Seasons is confirmed to return.

‘The Four Seasons’ Has Struggled With Pacing

Season 2 of The Four Seasons compellingly explores grief, self-discovery, and marital conflict, but its storytelling could be improved. While the series sets up a lot of drama, too much of the plot is resolved off-screen. This is most notable in Anne (Kerri Kenney-Silver) and Ginny’s (Erika Henningsen) relationship. At the beginning of the season, they are involved in a legal battle over Nick’s (Carell) will; his divorce from Anne was never finalized, which risks leaving Ginny and her soon-to-be-born son with nothing. They talk through the worst of it, and by their next onscreen appearance, the two are loving roommates — and arguably too close. Though they make progress during the first trip of Season 2, this shift is sudden, throwing off the narrative’s pacing, with their growth happening between episodes.

Other storylines are extended far too long, which is another failure of the show’s pacing. Kate (Fey) and Jack’s (Will Forte) constant arguments, as well as Anne’s desire to move on, become repetitive as the characters do little to address their issues, which are ignored for several episodes before resurfacing at the end. Since these storylines don’t progress for much of Season 2, the middle episodes drag.

‘The Four Seasons’ Season 3 Can Fix the Show’s Biggest Problem

While Season 2’s pacing is uneven, The Four Seasons‘ renewal for Season 3 offers a chance to correct this issue, but the solution may not be simple. The series’ very format makes addressing its pacing problem more difficult than it is for most shows. Each season explores a year in the characters’ lives through the vacations they take together, with a time jump of a few months between episodes. Season 1 avoided the issue by fitting the stories together so the characters remained largely separate between vacations, preventing too many off-screen changes.

Season 3 can fix The Four Seasons‘ biggest pacing problem by adding a major shake-up early in the story. By introducing drama at the beginning, the show can create enough momentum to keep the story moving. In Season 2, so much came together at the end rather than evolving slowly throughout, and Season 3 will need to avoid that. Luckily, the next installment is poised for a dramatic change after hinting at a new relationship for Anne with the introduction of Gianpiero (David Tennant). Adding someone to the group, even just briefly, changes the dynamic and forces the characters to adjust. Season 3 of The Four Seasons is still a while away, but with a few deliberate changes, it has a chance to be even better than Season 2.

Release Date

2025 – 2026-00-00

Network

Netflix

Directors

Robert Pulcini, Shari Springer Berman, Oz Rodriguez, Colman Domingo, Jeff Richmond, Lang Fisher

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