Pop Culture Happy Hour: "No Good Deed" Episode Summary
Introduction
In the December 16, 2024 episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, host Linda Holmes, along with guest panelists Eric Deggans, NPR's TV critic, and Candice Lim, co-host of Slate's I See Why Am I podcast and former Pop Culture Happy Hour producer, delve into the newly released Netflix dark comedy series, No Good Deed. The discussion offers a comprehensive analysis of the show’s narrative, performances, and overall impact within the current landscape of ensemble TV dramas.
Plot Overview
No Good Deed, created by Liz Feldman, presents a darkly comedic narrative centered around the complexities of selling a home intertwined with personal tragedies and hidden secrets. The ensemble cast includes Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, Dennis Leary, Linda Cardellini, Luke Wilson, Teyana Paris, Abbie Jacobson, and OT Fag Benlay, among others.
Linda Holmes introduces the series by highlighting its multifaceted storyline:
"In the new Netflix ensemble dark comedy No Good Deed, the lives of several couples and families get tangled up in the sale of a home that holds a secret... who will ultimately end up with the house, maybe the least of the story's important questions."
— Linda Holmes [04:00]
The central plot revolves around Paul and Lydia (Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow), a couple dealing with the aftermath of their son's death while trying to sell their cherished home. Complications arise with Paul's brother Mikey (Dennis Leary) escaping prison, bringing his own agenda into the mix. The show also explores the dynamics of various potential buyers, each bringing their unique stories and secrets into the narrative.
Host Opinions
Candice Lim's Perspective
Candice Lim expresses a favorable view of No Good Deed, particularly appreciating it as a suitable holiday watch for families:
"Bottom Line Vibes are good. I really like this show. I think it is a very good holiday watch with the family because there's nothing really like controversial or scandalous, AKA no sex scenes."
— Candice Lim [05:30]
She commends the show's ability to maintain audience engagement through cliffhangers and likens its feel to other popular series like The Traitors and Grace and Frankie. Candice emphasizes the strength of the ensemble cast, noting that each actor brings a distinct appeal that can attract different viewers:
"Putting together four couples with chemistry, like the ones they have in the show is hard... the cast surprised me... I think this is technically a thriller, so they really test your patience. But it worked on me."
— Candice Lim [06:10]
She also praises the show's premise of centering around real estate as a unifying element that effectively ties diverse storylines together:
"Centering the show around real estate... buying one house... when you buy a house, you're not buying the house. What you're buying is the kitchen to cook for your future family... there's something really interesting about the way this show kind of portrays that."
— Candice Lim [16:24]
Eric Deggans' Perspective
Contrastingly, Eric Deggans offers a more critical take on the series. He points out that while the show boasts a strong cast, it suffers from being overstuffed with multiple plotlines that detract from a cohesive narrative:
"It is really a show about a death and how a bunch of people deal with that death... a lot of cursing and there's also sex jokes... it's packed with storylines, it is packed with characters... it felt like just when we're getting to something, hey, we're on to the next."
— Eric Deggans [07:05]
Eric acknowledges the strong performances, particularly praising Ray Romano's nuanced portrayal:
"Ray Romano is always, I think, an entirely underappreciated actor... he handles dramatic and comedy and everything in between really well... he is excellent in this."
— Eric Deggans [08:19]
However, he criticizes the show's structural ambition, suggesting that the multitude of characters and storylines leads to a fragmented viewing experience:
"This is a show that is packed with storylines, it is packed with characters, it is packed with different ideas... if this had just been a little more focused, then we could really dig into one part of it and really have that sort of fleshed out."
— Eric Deggans [19:23]
Strengths
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Ensemble Cast Performance: Both hosts acknowledge the impressive performances from the diverse cast. Ray Romano's ability to balance comedy and drama is particularly highlighted by Eric Deggans.
"Ray Romano is always, I think, an entirely underappreciated actor... he is excellent in this."
— Eric Deggans [08:19] -
Central Premise: Candice Lim praises the show's focus on real estate as a strong premise that effectively interweaves multiple storylines, making it more engaging than other ensemble shows.
"Centering the show around real estate... there's something really interesting about the way this show kind of portrays that."
— Candice Lim [16:24] -
Emotional Depth: The exploration of themes like grief, family dynamics, and personal secrets adds emotional layers to the comedic elements, providing depth to the narrative.
Criticisms
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Overstuffed Narrative: Eric Deggans criticizes the show's attempt to juggle too many plotlines and characters, leading to a lack of focus and coherence.
"It felt like just when we're getting to something, hey, we're on to the next. We're onto the other storyline."
— Eric Deggans [19:23] -
Tone Inconsistencies: The balancing act between dark comedy and serious drama sometimes results in tonal inconsistencies, which can be jarring for viewers.
"You're in the comedy, and then something really dramatic happens that might be a little outlandish."
— Eric Deggans [12:20] -
Character Development: The necessity to provide substantial roles for a large ensemble cast may lead to underdeveloped characters and rushed story arcs.
Conclusion
No Good Deed emerges as a complex addition to Netflix's repertoire of ensemble dramas, praised for its strong cast performances and intriguing central premise. While Candice Lim finds it a rewarding watch with its layered storytelling and character interactions, Eric Deggans feels the show falls short due to its overambitious narrative structure and tonal shifts. The episode concludes with Linda Holmes acknowledging both perspectives, suggesting that fans of the cast and the premise might find the series worthwhile despite its flaws.
"I think the advantage of a show that is fundamentally 4ish hours long to watch the entire thing is if you really like Ray Romano or Lisa Kudrow or Abbie Jacobson, I think it's worth your time to check it out."
— Linda Holmes [19:57]
Listeners are encouraged to share their thoughts on No Good Deed via Facebook at PCHH, continuing the conversation beyond the episode.
Notable Quotes
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“Bottom Line Vibes are good. I really like this show.”
— Candice Lim [05:30] -
“Ray Romano is always, I think, an entirely underappreciated actor... he is excellent in this.”
— Eric Deggans [08:19] -
“It was pulling me out some of the bigger swings that the story takes and making me sort of very aware of what she was doing.”
— Eric Deggans [12:53] -
“Centering the show around real estate... when you buy a house, you're not buying the house. What you're buying is the kitchen to cook for your future family.”
— Candice Lim [16:24]
Final Thoughts
The episode of Pop Culture Happy Hour offers a balanced exploration of No Good Deed, presenting diverse viewpoints that highlight both the strengths and weaknesses of the series. Whether viewers are drawn by the stellar cast or intrigued by the intertwined narratives, the discussion provides valuable insights to help decide if No Good Deed aligns with their viewing preferences.