The Trial: Pyaar Kaanoon Dhoka, created by Suparn Varma, doesn't waste its time in establishing an ideal woman to lead the camp first. It instead captures her right at the most shattering moment of her entire life. What she decides to do at that moment, and many more to follow is what makes her the 'Good Wife'. And the decision to start exactly at this point establishes that the creator is confident about his actors and the content. From here begins the journey of a woman who has to now navigate a life not just through financial hardships, but even the embarrassment of being her husband's wife.

The Trial, in the writing handled by Abbas Dalal, Hussain Dalal, and Siddharth Kumar, captures the secondhand embarrassment forced on Kajol's Noyonika very well. The embarrassment given by her unapologetic creepy husband, the embarrassment that comes with re-joining work post a decade and being called a junior, the embarrassment of her past relationships, the judgement, and so on. The baggage is heavy, and the men around her only make it heavier. When a colleague is quick to point out that her kids are in a very posh school for someone who is facing an economic crunch, or how she is a product of nepotism wooing the boss, he embodies the gaze of society towards her. A clever move.

Kajol is an actor who knows what works for her and what she can ace. Decades in front of the camera has taught her that. She is brilliant when she has to reflect confidence and take down egoistic people.

Jisshu Sengupta as the husband, is a stereotype of the unapologetic, wasted, toxic husbands who don't deserve to be brought back. But just like all the other heroines, Noyonika brings him back. Even he isn't explored well. Regarding exploring parts, Sheeba Chaddha wasn't underutilized so much in the longest time, and the show does nothing with such a seasoned performer. Her curled hair is more detailed than the world around her. In one scene, she is throwing shade at Noyonika, and the last confesses that she is now fond of her. Done.

The Trial - Pyaar, Kaanoon, Dhokha isn't without a chink or two in its armour, but consistent performances and conceptual clarity make the show more than just passably engaging.