Season 2 Overview
UNITED STATES OF TARA stars Academy Award® nominee Toni Collette, recent Emmy® winner for Best Actress in a Comedy Series and Golden Globe® nominee for her role as Tara, a woman who juggles being a suburban wife, mother and sister while also having DID (dissociative identity disorder), formerly known as multiple personality disorder. This season starts with a bang – literally. Just as Tara decides to move on from her past, a sudden neighborhood incident opens the door to her family’s shocking secrets. Her alters – some returning and some new – will help unravel the mysteries while simultaneously infusing their own chaos into the mix. Meanwhile, the rest of Tara’s family explores their own identities as Max hits a boiling point; Marshall questions his sexuality; Kate takes on an online fantasy persona; and Charmaine finds herself in a complicated love triangle.
Episode 201 – “Yes”
Written By: Diablo Cody
Directed By: Craig Zisk
Guest Stars: Joey Lauren Adams, Matthew Del Negro
Season two opens with a bang as the Gregsons’ neighbor commits suicide and the family unexpectedly is given responsibility of the house. Now well and dissociation-free for several months, Tara (TONI COLLETTE) sets out to make new friends with Max’s (JOHN CORBETT) help. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) struggles to fit in at school while Kate (BRIE LARSON) lands a new job. Nick (MATTHEW DEL NEGRO) pops the question to Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT).
Episode 202 – “Trouble Junction”
Written By: Jill Soloway
Directed By: Craig Zisk
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Joey Lauren Adams, Zosia Mamet
Tara (TONI COLLETTE) realizes her alternate personalities are emerging again, but keeps it a secret. Newly engaged Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) asks to move in with Tara and her family. Max (JOHN CORBETT) decides to take on a new project by buying the neighbor’s house to flip it. Kate (BRIE LARSON) meets a mysterious older woman, Lynda (VIOLA DAVIS), while Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) begins a new relationship… with a girl.
Episode 203 – “The Truth Hurts”
Written By: Tracy McMillan
Directed By: Adam Davidson
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Patton Oswalt, Joey Lauren Adams Zosia Mamet,
The family discovers the truth -- Tara’s (TONI COLLETTE) alternate personalities are back. Buck’s actions have brought serious consequences that unleash a new side of Max (JOHN CORBETT). Neil (PATTON OSWALT) finds out about Charmaine’s (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) engagement. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) and Courtney (ZOSIA MAMET) begin to experiment as Kate (BRIE LARSON) grows closer to Lynda (VIOLA DAVIS).
Episode 204 – “You Becoming You”
Written By: Dave Finkel & Brett Baer
Directed By: Adam Davidson
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Matthew Del Negro, Zosia Mamet
Tara (TONI COLLETTE) sets out to find a new therapist as Max (JOHN CORBETT) struggles to come to terms with Buck’s affair. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) and Courtney (ZOSIA MAMET) take their relationship to the next level. Tara and Max disapprove of Kate’s (BRIE LARSON) friendship with Lynda (VIOLA DAVIS). Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) tells the family some big news. A new alternate personality is born.
Episode 205 – “Doin’ Time”
Written By: Sheila Callaghan
Directed By: Craig Gillespie
Guest Stars: Patton Oswalt, Joey Lauren Adams, Zosia Mamet
Max’s (JOHN CORBETT) violent outburst comes back to haunt him. Tara (TONI COLLETTE) learns she is now able to be aware of what her newest alternate personality, Shoshana, does. Kate’s (BRIE LARSON) music video is an internet success. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) decides he has to break up with Courtney. The doctor gives Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) surprising news about her pregnancy.
Episode 206 – “Torando” (*the misspelling is intentional)
Written By: Craig Wright
Directed By: Craig Gillespie
Guest Stars: Zosia Mamet
When a tornado blows through Overland Park, it forces the Gregson family to take refuge in the basement. Shoshana arrives and holds a group therapy session where dark family secrets are exposed.
Episode 207 – “Dept. Of Fucked Up Family Services”
Written By: Dave Finkel & Brett Baer
Directed By: Tricia Brock
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Patton Oswalt, Zosia Mamet,
An imminent visit from a social worker sends Max (JOHN CORBETT) into a tailspin. Tara (TONI COLLETTE) horns in on Kate’s (BRIE LARSON) friendship with Lynda (VIOLA DAVIS). Courtney (ZOSIA MAMET) pushes Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) to the brink. Neil (PATTON OSWALT) discovers Charmaine’s (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) big secret.
Epsiode 208 – “Explosive Diorama”
Written By: Diablo Cody & Jill Soloway
Directed By: Penny Marshall
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Patton Oswalt, Joey Lauren Adams, Matthew Del Negro, Michael Willett
Tara (TONI COLLETTE) has never felt better as she and Lynda (VIOLA DAVIS) prepare for their art show. Kate (BRIE LARSON) lashes out by starting a new controversial business, while Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) grows closer to his friend Lionel (MICHAEL WILLETT). Max (JOHN CORBETT) makes a decision that will change everything. Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) strives to balance both Nick (MATTHEW DEL NEGRO) and Neil (PATTON OSWALT).
Episode 209 – “The Family Portrait”
Written By: Craig Wright
Directed By: Jamie Babbit
Guest Stars: Viola Davis, Patton Oswalt, Joey Lauren Adams, Matthew Del Negro, Michael Hitchcock, Sammy Sheik
Tara (TONI COLLETTE) hopes to re-connect with her family through her latest art project, a family portrait. Max (JOHN CORBETT) works to separate himself from Pammy (JOEY LAUREN ADAMS). Kate (BRIE LARSON) becomes intrigued with a new guy she met online. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) learns bad news about Ted (MICHAEL HITCHCOCK) and Hany (SAMMY SHEIK). Nick (MATTHEW DEL NEGRO) asks Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) to take drastic measures against Neil (PATTON OSWALT).
Episode 210 “Open House”
Written By: David Iserson
Directed By: Jamie Babbit
Guest Stars: Patton Oswalt, Matthew Del Negro, Michael Hitchcock, Michael Willett
Max (JOHN CORBETT) holds an open house for his newly finished re-model. Tara (TONI COLLETTE) and Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) ask their mom about Tara’s childhood memories. Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) and Lionel (MICHAEL WILLETT) go cruising. Kate’s (BRIE LARSON) new man worries about their age difference. “Alice” arrives and drops a bombshell on everyone.
Episode 211 “To Have And To Hold”
Written By: Tracy McMillan & Sheila Callaghan
Directed By: Craig Zisk
Guest Stars: Patton Oswalt, Matthew Del Negro, Seth Gabel, Michael Willett
Tara (TONI COLLETTE) and Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) go visit the woman from Tara’s memories. Kate (BRIE LARSON) attempts to change herself for Zach (SETH GABEL). Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) begins to fall for Lionel (MICHAEL WILLETT). Neil (PATTON OSWALT) leaves town. A new personality arrives.
Episode 212 “From This Day Forward”
Written By: Diablo Cody & Jill Soloway
Directed By: Craig Zisk
Guest Stars: Fred Ward, Patton Oswalt, Matthew Del Negro, Pamela Reed
It’s Charmaine (ROSEMARIE DEWITT) and Nick’s wedding day. Tara (TONI COLLETTE) confronts her parents about her childhood and long-held secrets are revealed. Kate (BRIE LARSON) and Marshall (KEIR GILCHRIST) accidentally find a piece of the puzzle that could derail everything.
