Requiem for Dead Like Me
By stephanie - Monday, November 13th, 2006
I recently finished the second (and last) season of Dead Like Me on DVD. It was yet another show that died before its time.
Dead Like Me was a story about everyday people who become grim reapers after death. It was funny, quirky and had a fantastic cast, including Mandy Patinkin and Jasmine Guy. The plots themselves weren’t really all that important; it was the interaction between the unique characters that made this show interesting.
The main character was Georgia Lass, aka George, who was 18 when a toilet seat falling from a space station did her in. Much of the show revolves around her adjustment to life after life.
By far my favorite character was George’s boss, Delores Herbig (as in “Her Big Brown Eyes”), a chirpy middle-aged woman who had a webcam business showing how Delores “Got Things Done” (as in, tidying her home). She also had a problem with “blow” back in the 1980s, and was constantly looking for her Mr. Right on various online dating services.
Dead Like Me had its problems though. I found the plotline with George’s family to be tedious, dull, and depressing. George’s mother, Joy, should have been named “Killjoy” instead, she was such a humorless, annoying character. There was a lot not to love about that family, and at times the side story got so irritating you just wanted to turn off the show.
That said, it’s a shame this didn’t even run for one more season. I feel there’s more “life” in the concept, however, even without the original cast. But what I’d really like to see would be Delores Herbig die and become a grim reaper. That would be awesome!
Ah well, it was good while it lasted.
November 20th, 2006 at 10:55 am
I watched the first couple of episodes cause I’m a Mandy Patinkin fan. Love me Mandy.
But George was totally annoying. That look on her face as if something smells bad all the time…I just couldn’t watch. I wanted to punch her.
But the bantering at the diner…fun.
Mir
November 20th, 2006 at 10:56 am
Oh, and ditto on the family plotline sucking eggs.
Mir
June 27th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I loved Dead Like Me and thought it was a great show, I too thought Delores Herbig was a great character, she reminds me of my own boss. This show should be resurrected and finished because its not finished. Mason is still on the street, Daisy is still blonde and Roxy hasn’t given out enough tickets, and George just got her red mustang. Things about Rube are still unanswered.