‘Trying’ Season 5 Finale Recap and Ending Explained: Kat’s Goodbye Transforms Nikki and Jason

Apple TV’s heartfelt family comedy has just concluded one of its most poignant seasons yet, and the ‘Trying’ season 5 finale offers devoted fans a lot to reflect on. Titled ‘WoodScott,’ episode eight wraps up a season centered around the unexpected return of Princess and Tyler’s biological mother, Kat, and it does so without casting anyone as a villain.

What began as a scrappy comedy about a couple navigating the adoption process has evolved into something deeper, showcasing what family truly means once the legalities are settled.

The final moments of the season unfold at a family festival, where hidden truths begin to surface as the family comes together. This setting is ideal for a show that has consistently found its most impactful emotional moments in chaotic, crowded, and distinctly British gatherings.

At the heart of the finale is Kat, portrayed by Charlotte Riley, who bids farewell to Princess and Tyler. In a touching moment, Princess unknowingly confides in Kat, hidden inside a festival mascot costume, revealing that she still keeps the rucksack from her foster care days under her bed due to her fear of never feeling settled. This poignant scene is impactful precisely because Princess is unaware of who she is truly speaking to.

This confession serves as the emotional anchor of the episode. When Kat later encourages Princess to unpack that rucksack before her trip to Thailand, it feels less like a farewell and more like an invitation for Princess to finally move forward. By the end, Princess descends the stairs unburdened by the emotional weight she has carried since Nikki and Jason found her in season two, joining her family at the dinner table.

Season 5 places significant pressure on Nikki and Jason for the first time, stemming from their relationship rather than external threats. Throughout the season, Nikki finds herself drawn to a new coworker named Kerry, and in episode six, she admits she never corrected Jason’s assumption that Kerry was a woman.

Instead of crafting a typical affair storyline, the show trusts its leads to navigate their challenges like adults. Esther Smith, who plays Nikki, shared with Collider that she initially panicked upon hearing about the Kerry storyline, thinking, ‘Surely not. Nothing can damage this solid relationship,’ but soon realized the focus was on the couple facing a real test together.

Rafe Spall, who plays Jason, echoed her sentiments, explaining that Nikki and Jason ‘have a very mature, healthy approach to their relationship’ and understand that ‘things happen’ without derailing what they have built. This grounded honesty has always been the strength of ‘Trying,’ and the finale embraces it wholeheartedly.

One of the most astute decisions in season 5 is the portrayal of Kat. It would have been easy to depict her as an obstacle between Nikki, Jason, and their happy ending, but the show skillfully avoids that cliché. Spall credited series creator Andy Wolton for this choice, noting that ‘the show just does such a great job of subverting expectations’ and that ‘everyone in it is rounded and does things that are surprising.’

Spall elaborated, describing Kat as ‘this bomb that is thrown into the family’ while ensuring viewers still empathize with her because ‘she herself is trying to do something that she’s simply not equipped to do.’ This perspective reshapes the entire season in hindsight. Kat is not chaos for chaos’s sake; she is a woman attempting to reconnect with children she cannot fully reclaim.

Smith echoed this sentiment regarding Nikki’s journey this season, stating that Nikki is ‘not a cruel person’ but a mother who ‘loves her children’ and is ‘so protective,’ making her willingness to allow Princess to bond with Kat feel like genuine growth rather than a mere plot device.

Even with Kat’s departure and Princess’s emotional breakthrough, the finale does not signal the end of the series. Smith described the conclusion as having ‘a very neat bow at the end of it,’ but quickly clarified that it is not meant to imply ‘okay, that’s it, goodbye now.’

Both stars see ample opportunity for more stories. Smith expressed a desire to see the narrative come ‘full circle’ with Jason potentially becoming a social worker himself, while Spall pointed out that Jason’s journey this season, including his admission, ‘I don’t even know if I’m cut out for this,’ sets the stage for exploring an empty nest storyline if Princess eventually goes off to university.

Spall encapsulated the show’s evolution perfectly, noting that ‘Trying’ began as a tale about adoption and has transformed into simply ‘a family show’ about the people you enjoy spending time with, featuring well-rounded characters who are never quite perfect but continue to grow.

With Kat’s farewell allowing Princess to finally move on, Nikki and Jason’s marriage strengthened through testing, and Jason’s next career chapter still open, season 5 leaves plenty to ponder. What do you envision for Princess’s future now that she has let go of that rucksack, and would you like to see Jason follow in Kat’s footsteps as a social worker in a possible season 6?