Q: What happened to "American Crime" with Felicity Huffman? It left us hanging, and I haven't seen an ad touting its return.

A: The drama has gotten a lot of attention (and praise) for its season-long arcs dealing with big issues — and a cast in which the same actors have played different characters in each season. But the second-season finale left many concerned about its ambiguity.

That was deliberate. Series creator John Ridley told EW.com that not even the actors had all the answers at the end. Asked if that was so the audience could make its own assumptions, Ridley said, "Yes, to a degree. ... In most procedurals that's what the audience wants, like, 'I want to see who did it. You'd better give it to me.' I think our audience realizes we're not about answering questions, we're about asking questions."

Get ready for more questions; the show will be back for a third season next year.

No renewal for 'Mistresses'

Q: What is going on with "Mistresses"? (Spoiler alert!) I watched the season finale and Karen got killed. Then it went into the future and everyone has had kids. And now another Karen is walking around. I'm so confused.

A: I don't think I can clear up all of that confusion, since the ABC drama has been canceled after four seasons as ratings declined. But yes, the show took a time leap. And yes, a new woman claimed to be Karen. Executive producer Rina Mimoun told TVLine.com that the death of Karen was mutually agreed upon by the show and actress Yunjin Kim, who had played Karen, after she indicated she wanted to pursue some other projects. And the introduction of the "new" Karen was one of the ways the show was setting up a fifth season — which, at this writing at least, is not in the cards.

Unsolved 'Mysteries of Laura'

Q: I wonder if "The Mysteries of Laura" will be on again. (Spoiler alert!) I really enjoyed it, and the season ended with Jake getting engaged to someone other than Laura. Will a new season start soon?

A: No. NBC canceled the series after two seasons. TVLine.com said the ratings were OK but NBC may not have kept the show going because it did not own a piece of it. As for what might have happened if the series had continued, Deadline.com offered the showrunner's plans for the third season, including this about Jake and Laura: "Jake's girlfriend Jen (Jenna Fischer) would return the engagement ring to him. Knowing Laura wanted Jake back, Jen couldn't stomach being a home wrecker, having grown up in a household with a similar dynamic between her own parents."

E-mail brenfels@gmail.com.