Share and Follow
If the unexpected twist in the Season 2 premiere of Your Friends and Neighbors caught you off guard, the show’s executive producers, Jon Hamm and Jonathan Tropper, have a solid rationale behind it.
**Spoilers alert for Season 2, Episode 1 of Your Friends and Neighbors, now available on Apple TV**
The latest episode, titled “We’re Here Until We’re Not,” sees Coop (played by Hamm) in the midst of a heist, forced to reach out to his best friend and financial advisor, Barney (Hoon Lee), for assistance. This move frustrates Elena (Aimee Carrero) as Coop’s shortsightedness lands him in yet another predicament, as explained by the producers.
“Many of Coop’s decisions, especially the poor ones, stem from circumstances beyond his control,” Hamm shared in an interview with DECIDER about the new season. “He’s caught off guard when his back gives out, leaving him in a vulnerable state. So, who does he turn to for help? Barney. Unintentionally, Barney is pulled into Coop’s chaotic world.” Hamm continued, “Unfortunately, Coop then realizes he’s put Barney’s family, including his children and wife, at risk. Once again, Coop faces a more complex situation than he initially anticipated. This is the result, as the voiceover suggests, of embarking on such a precarious and unsustainable path.”
Tropper, who also created the series, aimed to expand the storyline naturally, reflecting the challenges Coop faces as Season 2 unfolds.
“Our feeling is it’s not really plausible to keep so many secrets, At some point, you need a confidant, you need someone to help keep the secrets. Coop certainly doesn’t intend to bring Barney in on it, it happens by accident, but in the end, it’s going to start having massive repercussions for Barney, too,” Tropper shared.
As of the end of Season 2 Episode 1, it’s unclear what exactly the larger-scale implications of bringing in Lee’s character will look like, but Tropper and Hamm told DECIDER that if history can provide any predictions, it’s not looking good for Barney and his family.
“I think it’s just about growing the danger, growing the stakes, and giving coop someone else to talk to,” Tropper said as Hamm explained his character’s decision by saying, “You find yourself making a lot of justifications and compromises that very often are not justifiable or manageable. And here we are.”
The first episode of Your Friends and Neighbors Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV. New episodes drop Fridays on Apple TV.
Apple TV comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers and has just one ad-free streaming plan available for $13.99/month.