I've never been much of one for television or serial programing in general. I watch a lot of movies, but know nothing about what is on TV. Coming across this was a matter of chance, strolling through a video store and happening upon one of the slip covers, a grim reaper playing golf. Checking the title and reading the description I figured it sounded quirky enough to watch the pilot. I rented it, headed home and threw it on. 73 minutes later I was back in my car, anxiously speeding to the video store to get the rest of the season; bottom line I was hooked.
The story concerns a cynical 18 year-old girl by the name of Georgia (Ellen Muth) who has a penchant for being a smart-ass and ignoring/challenging authority. On her first day of work at a dismal clerical job, she is struck and killed by an orbital toilet seat. Rathing than passing on, she is less than relieved to find herself taking on a whole new profession, Reaping. Georgia has been picked by the powers that be to join a group of the undead who specialize in the collection of violent-death souls (murders, suicides, and accidents). For poor Georgia, it seems it took dying for her to start learning about living.
For something I have nothing but glowing comments for, where to begin. Since everything starts with a story, why not there. The writing is, in a word, excellent. From the concept to the characters to the cleaver dialogue and on to the details, everything about it is drenched in wit and originality. It is also carefully and complexly constructed; each episode is a self contained story inside a much larger overall fable. The dialogue is pitch perfect for this kind of dark comedy, it contains both humor and drama without veering too far in either direction. And the characters are all evolved and interesting.
Speaking of the characters, the actors chosen for them couldn't be better. While all are excellent, I put special emphasis on Muth, Mandy Patinkin and Christine Willes. The three of them are given the shows best bits to play with and come off superbly. Muth has the angst-ridden-yet-maturing teen bit down pat, she can be funny and heart breaking all in the same scene. Patinkin's pseudo-father figure to Georgia adds just the right amount of reason to the otherwise strange proceedings. And Willes as Dolores Herbig is the perfect counter-balance to the often somber proceedings, eternally (almost stupidly) optimistic as Georgia's pseudo-mother and employer (yes, the undead still have day jobs).
Elements are equally top-notch on the technical side of things. The direction is refreshingly brisk and energetic; often utilizing simple, yet effective, camera and editing tricks to add flair and give the show a very distinct look. And I must make special mention of the composer Stewart Copeland, who has orchestrated a wide variety of pieces for the show that are as catchy as they are befitting.
When the final moments of the first season came to a close, I found myself in something of a slump. Not that the show had ended badly, but that it had to end at all. I simply needed more. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the untimely demise of the program and was most displeased. Fortunately, the second season was coming to DVD, so all was not grim, much like the (un)life of curious Georgia.
I can only hope that 'Dead Like Me' is able to find life else where in some other form, but for now I will be content with what I have. Lesson learned.
10/10
The story concerns a cynical 18 year-old girl by the name of Georgia (Ellen Muth) who has a penchant for being a smart-ass and ignoring/challenging authority. On her first day of work at a dismal clerical job, she is struck and killed by an orbital toilet seat. Rathing than passing on, she is less than relieved to find herself taking on a whole new profession, Reaping. Georgia has been picked by the powers that be to join a group of the undead who specialize in the collection of violent-death souls (murders, suicides, and accidents). For poor Georgia, it seems it took dying for her to start learning about living.
For something I have nothing but glowing comments for, where to begin. Since everything starts with a story, why not there. The writing is, in a word, excellent. From the concept to the characters to the cleaver dialogue and on to the details, everything about it is drenched in wit and originality. It is also carefully and complexly constructed; each episode is a self contained story inside a much larger overall fable. The dialogue is pitch perfect for this kind of dark comedy, it contains both humor and drama without veering too far in either direction. And the characters are all evolved and interesting.
Speaking of the characters, the actors chosen for them couldn't be better. While all are excellent, I put special emphasis on Muth, Mandy Patinkin and Christine Willes. The three of them are given the shows best bits to play with and come off superbly. Muth has the angst-ridden-yet-maturing teen bit down pat, she can be funny and heart breaking all in the same scene. Patinkin's pseudo-father figure to Georgia adds just the right amount of reason to the otherwise strange proceedings. And Willes as Dolores Herbig is the perfect counter-balance to the often somber proceedings, eternally (almost stupidly) optimistic as Georgia's pseudo-mother and employer (yes, the undead still have day jobs).
Elements are equally top-notch on the technical side of things. The direction is refreshingly brisk and energetic; often utilizing simple, yet effective, camera and editing tricks to add flair and give the show a very distinct look. And I must make special mention of the composer Stewart Copeland, who has orchestrated a wide variety of pieces for the show that are as catchy as they are befitting.
When the final moments of the first season came to a close, I found myself in something of a slump. Not that the show had ended badly, but that it had to end at all. I simply needed more. Shortly thereafter, I discovered the untimely demise of the program and was most displeased. Fortunately, the second season was coming to DVD, so all was not grim, much like the (un)life of curious Georgia.
I can only hope that 'Dead Like Me' is able to find life else where in some other form, but for now I will be content with what I have. Lesson learned.
10/10