‘R.J. Decker’ Season 2 Episode 5 Release Date, Time and Where to Watch the Time Loop Mystery
ABC’s ‘R.J. Decker’ is currently in its second season, and the Tuesday night crime procedural is diving deep into family drama. The new season premiered on Tuesday, September 15, right after the ‘Dancing With the Stars’ kickoff. Since then, Scott Speedman’s disheveled private investigator has been balancing bizarre cases alongside some significant personal issues.
If you’re curious about what’s next for ‘R.J. Decker’, the upcoming episode promises to be quite peculiar, even by the show’s standards. It follows R.J. and his father as they tackle a murderous plot involving a client who believes he is stuck reliving the same day. Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, air time, streaming options, and a sneak peek of what’s in store.
The next episode, titled “Better Luck Tomorrow,” is set to air on Tuesday, October 13, on ABC. This marks the fifth episode of the season, so fans won’t have to wait long.
The broadcast schedule remains unchanged, with the episode airing from 10 to 11 p.m. Eastern. The show retains its usual 10/9c Tuesday time slot, allowing Central time viewers to tune in at 9 p.m.
Before this episode, fans can catch the fourth episode, “The Angler,” airing today, October 6. This episode is crucial as it introduces R.J.’s father into the storyline, setting the stage for their partnership in the following week’s episode.
To watch ‘R.J. Decker’ online, the easiest way is to catch it live on ABC every Tuesday night. For those who miss the broadcast, episodes are available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
For fans who are still catching up, the entire first season is available on the streaming platform, making it easy for newcomers to binge the initial run before diving into the current season. This is particularly beneficial since the second season heavily references the fallout from the first season finale.
International viewers may face a slightly more complex situation. Disney+ in Canada began streaming the season on Wednesday, September 16. According to Reelgood, other countries will only get the season on Disney+ after it concludes on ABC, so some patience will be necessary for those regions.
The official synopsis hints at a case filled with quirky energy. R.J. and his father must figure out who is gaslighting the caretaker at a senior living facility. This scenario perfectly showcases the show’s knack for blending mystery with Florida’s eccentricities.
The twist adds an extra layer of intrigue. R.J.’s client believes he is trapped in a time loop, and the duo must unravel the deadly scheme behind this illusion. A time loop narrative in a procedural format is always a delight, and the gaslighting element suggests someone is working hard to make a vulnerable individual question their own reality.
Additionally, this episode unfolds against a heavier backdrop. The season resumes about two months after the murder of the corrupt politician Victor Ochoa, a mystery that has complicated R.J.’s relationship with Victor’s daughter, Emi. As Emi seeks to uncover her father’s killer, expect the weekly case to intertwine with the season’s overarching mysteries.
This season introduces a significant new character, portrayed by screen veteran Beau Bridges. According to an exclusive from TVLine, Bridges will recur as R.J.’s estranged father, Reggie Decker. This makes “Better Luck Tomorrow” a unique opportunity to see father and son collaborate on a case.
Reggie is not the most reliable partner. ABC describes him as a charming, perpetually optimistic entrepreneur with a penchant for empty promises and erratic behavior. He has largely been absent from R.J.’s life, always claiming that a life-changing opportunity is just around the corner.

This casting decision reflects a thoughtful creative direction. Showrunner Rob Doherty has indicated that Reggie’s arrival will shed light on R.J.’s upbringing and the experiences that shaped him. Bridges, a three-time Emmy winner known for roles in ‘Stargate SG-1’, ‘My Name Is Earl’, and ‘Matlock’, brings significant talent to this recurring role.
Reggie first appears in “The Angler” while R.J. investigates a murder at a fishing tournament, making the case personal when a figure from his past resurfaces. As a self-proclaimed entrepreneur with a history of broken promises assists in unraveling a time loop scheme at a senior living community, viewers will be left wondering if R.J. can trust him this time, or if Reggie will once again demonstrate why their relationship was strained in the first place. Which side of the father-son divide do you find yourself on?
