The show stars Christina Applegate as Jen, a woman who was recently widowed after her husband was killed in a hit-and-run accident, and is very angry about it. She is raising two young sons, is angry that the police cannot figure out who killed her husband, and spends a lot of her time drinking and listening to heavy metal to deal with her grief. When she goes to a therapy group, she meets Judy (Linda Cardellini), who is grieving the loss of her fiance. However, Judy is a very different person than Jen - she is a bit of a hippie, and believes in energy and crystals, and is trying to cope with her grief in more positive ways. But hoo boy. Things take a turn. Also, let me be clear, this show is a comedy. I know it doesn't sound like it, but these women are turning in some incredible comic performances as they delve into a plot that gets more twisty and convoluted with every episode.
It's really hard to write about this show because every single episode contains some dark twist and major reveal that will compel you to hit "Play Next Episode" as fast as you can. In fact, that was what put me off a bit when I first watched it - the twists were great and juicy, but the show almost became too predictable in its unpredictability. There are very clear story beats that take place and it can be enormously frustrating at times to see things play out the same way over and over again. But that being said, this show is deliciously frothy and fun, and in the second season it really leans into its dark comedy, Desperate Housewives-esque vibe. I won't spoil too much, but let's just say there's a certain soap opera trope that makes its way in and is delightfully kitschy to behold.
The key thing this show has going for it, of course, is its two leading actresses. These women are incredible and play off each other in fantastic ways to demonstrate the passion and problems inherent in a female friendship. Their relationship is such a rollercoaster ride, particularly as the secrets they're harboring keep bursting out, and while they have great comic timing, there are also intense dramatic and psychological moments as these women reckon with who they are and how they are going to move on after the terrible things they've done.
The second season of Dead To Me is a great example of a comedy that builds on its characters, amps up the stakes, and gets even wackier. It's hilarious, intense, and like Season 1, ends on a humdinger of a cliffhanger that will make you really mad that you now have to wait a whole year for another season. Such is the Netflix life. But right now, if you're bored, there are two glorious seasons that await you, and that should tide you over nicely for at least a portion of this quarantine. Enjoy!
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