Dead to Me Season 1 Netflix Series Review

Dead to Me (2019-)
Season 1 - 10 episodes (2019)

Watch Dead to Me on Netflix
Created by: Liz Feldman
Directed by: Alex Kurtzman
Starring: Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden
Rated: TV-MA
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Plot
A powerful friendship blossoms between a tightly wound widow and a free spirit with a shocking secret. Christina Applegate plays Jen, struggling to keep it together after her husband was killed in a hit and run. Linda Cardellini plays the free spirit Judy.

Verdict
While the draw is Cardellini and Applegate on a show together, their characters are fully developed through grief and humor as they play off each other. They're very different characters, and I also wondered if secrets would be revealed. The show slowly provides more information for both characters, and at times this part mystery show as Applegate's character is determined to discover the truth. In the case of this show, the truth could do more harm than good.
Nearing the end this seemed poised to wrap everything up, but the final episode takes a turn which ensures there is plenty of story for another season.
Watch it.

Review
Two women are grieving, and we explore how that grief manifests differently in both of them. The twist in the first episode is the hook of the show. Judy (Linda Cardellilni) knows more than she reveals about what happened to Jen's (Christina Applegate) husband. I like that the twist is in the first episode.

Whether Jen discovers that revelation is teased throughout the season, and it's something that is very difficult for Judy as she attempts to make up for it. Judy's secret grows throughout the season as we learn the circumstances.

Jen can be negative, wanting to shut the world out. You can't blame her with what she's been through, but she can't shut down as she still has a family and job that can't be ignored. Judy is dealing with her own tragedy while splitting from her fiance. She's a positive force, but often her attempts to better a situation have unintended consequences.

This show really has some moments with the characters. While it's dealing with various forms of grief, it also develops these characters well through touch and humorous moments.

How Jen feels about her husband's death changes throughout the season, and how Judy feels about her role in Jen's life also changes. If all the information the audience knows is revealed, it could have a devastating effect on their relationship.