No Good Deed is a dark comedy about real estate, grief, secrets, love, and greed. In 8 episodes of about 30 minutes each, several related stories unfold in twisty, interconnecting circles that revolve around the purchase of a gorgeous LA home.
No Good Deed has a big cast for a series of this length. It was created by Liz Feldman (of Dead to Me fame) and directed by Silver Tree and Liz Feldman. Ostensibly the stars of the series are Lydia (Lisa Kudrow) and Paul (Ray Romano), because they own the house that’s for sale.
I thought the real star of the series was Margo (Linda Cardellini). She contributes layers and secrets to the story in numerous ways. She lives across the street from Lydia and Paul. She’s married to a washed up soap star, JD (Luke Wilson). She’s slowly bleeding him dry of every penny he ever earned. But when we first meet her she’s in bed with Gwen (Kate Moennig), who apparently has money as yet untapped by Margo’s manipulations.
Margo wants to move across the street into the house and she’s working on JD to make that happen.
The house holds secrets. Three years ago (just beyond the required real estate disclosure date) something happened in the house. Lydia and Paul are troubled and grieving over it. Paul wants to get away from the house, Lydia wants to stay.
Leslie (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah (Poppy Liu) want the house. They are trying for children. Leslie is a lawyer, Sarah is a doctor. When Leslie first appears in the series she’s wearing a baseball jacket. In the house, she picks up a baseball and tosses it. I thought that was a clever call out to A League of Their Own.
Dennis (O-T Fagbenle), pregnant Carla (Teyonah Parris), and Dennis’ helicopter mom Denise (Anna Marie Horsford) want the house. He’s a writer with secrets. She’s a woman with secrets. Mom is a pain. They need a home for the new baby on the way.
The final important character is Mikey (Denis Leary). Mikey is Paul’s big brother and has been in prison for 3 years. Hmm, 3 years seems to be an important number in this story. He shows up making demands and holds some secrets that threaten the fragile balance that has existed between Paul and Lydia for the last 3 years.
There are other characters and subplots that weave together in this Liz Feldman twist festival. Surprises come in every episode. I liked the diverse and inclusive cast. I liked the slow reveal of each character’s secrets and sorrows. I liked how all the characters demanded truth from everyone while refusing to be truthful themselves. One thing I found a little dorky was the way the camera left a scene and flew out of the house through the electrical conduit or the plumbing or the chimney. As a segue it was way too cutesy.
Although many aspects of the story seemed complete at the end of the 8th episode, there is still plenty of material that could work into a second season if Netflix deems it worthy. I hope it happens, because I enjoyed the cast and the ironic dark humor in the series. Liz Feldman has a unique take on storytelling. I always enjoy her work.
I’d love to hear what you thought of this dark comedy series. The comments are open.
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I’m up to episode 4 or 5 and agree that Cardellini is a standout. I loved when the upset Paul flickered the lights and said “They’re talking to you Lydia.” The realtor is quite good and I always love Romano and Kudrow so I hope for another season.
I just wish they’d lighten up on the Succession-like quirky music. A little goes a long way. Oh, and more for Linda Lavin to do please.
Linda Lavin absolutely nailed it! I thought the gay realtor was extra good too.
It was ok but preferred ‘ ,your dead to me’
I really loved Dead to Me as well.