No Good Deed Series-Premiere Recap: The House on Derby Drive

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As a seasoned observer of human nature and a connoisseur of drama, I must say that this intricate tapestry of characters, each with their own secrets and skeletons, has certainly piqued my interest. The Morgans’ desperate need to sell their home and the mysterious death of their son, Jacob, have set the stage for a riveting tale that promises to unravel layer by layer.

It’s likely that people have landed on “No Good Deed” for one of two reasons: either they were captivated by its impressive cast, or they are fans of Liz Feldman’s previous Netflix dark comedy, “Dead to Me.” While the first point certainly attracts interest – Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano playing a couple with questionable secrets around a possible murder has a nostalgic ’90s dream-like quality – it’s the second reason that piqued my curiosity, having me eager to explore Los Feliz. Feldman’s previous show had a compelling blend of morally ambiguous characters, enough surprises to keep you hooked, and just the right balance of grit, humor, and emotional depth that made its poignant moments feel neither too sweet nor overly sentimental. To put it simply, I found myself laughing, crying, and gasping; it resonated with me deeply.

In the first episode of “No Good Deed,” it’s clear that familiar elements are in play, but we’ll have to wait and see if they’re as effective as they were in “Dead to Me.” The opening scene, titled “Open House,” has a challenging task: it needs to introduce a large and diverse cast while subtly setting up the mystery. While it manages to achieve these objectives, I didn’t find myself deeply drawn into any of the storylines just yet. There isn’t a Jen and Judy dynamic present – you understand my reference. However, I have faith in showrunner Liz Feldman, so I trust the narrative will unfold as intended. Plus, watching Luke Wilson and Linda Cardellini engage in conflict is certainly not the worst way to spend time. So, let’s move forward!

At 500 Derby Drive in Los Feliz, we greet Lydia and Paul Morgan, the homeowners who appear quite keen on selling their beautifully renovated (thanks to Paul’s contracting skills) residence. However, while Paul is excited about finding a new owner, Lydia seems overwhelmed by this significant life change, likening it to losing an appendage. Despite Lydia having raised her family here, Paul has a long history with the house, which could explain his eagerness to sell. Could their financial troubles be the reason behind Paul’s urgency? It is worth noting that Lydia, a renowned pianist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (she even played for Gustavo Dudamel!), has been unable to play due to an issue causing her hands to tremble uncontrollably. Consequently, their income now depends solely on Paul, possibly adding to his stress about selling quickly rather than getting the best price.

Although you might initially believe that the Morgans are in financial trouble and Denis Leary’s character, Mikey, is just there to help, his menacing demeanor and sudden appearance at the open house should make you question the truth. Later on, Mikey encounters Paul working in the garage, fresh out of prison for a drug-related crime. Not only is he upset that Paul didn’t visit him during his three-year sentence, but he demands $80,000 within a day or else he will reveal everything about what transpired in Paul’s house to the police. Mikey hints at their past connection by reminding Paul of his assistance when Paul was in dire need and then paying the price for it. Given Mikey’s obvious resentment towards Paul for not being there for him during his imprisonment, it seems unlikely that he is merely a debt collector. However, the swift and violent manner in which he forces Paul’s finger into an operating buzz saw to emphasize his threats suggests a complex dynamic between them.

At the open house, it’s not just Mikey who makes an appearance; we encounter a variety of characters, each concealing their own secrets. There’s J.D., living nearby with Margo, who independently decide to check out the Morgan residence without informing each other. Despite his unemployment as a soap opera actor and financial struggles, J.D. continues to shower gifts on his wife, hinting at a relationship that may not be entirely happy. It’s also suggested he’s off his medication, which is worth noting. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to him, Margo is having an affair with another woman, who they plan to partner with to purchase the Morgan house. Margo appears almost villainous; when Lydia sees her arrive at the open house in heavy makeup and designer clothes, she vows to destroy it if sold to someone like her. I must admit, I’m captivated by her character, as she seems destined to stir up trouble for the show’s future plotlines.

Apart from newlyweds Carla (Teyonah Parris) and Dennis (O-T Fagbenle), we encounter Dennis’s mother, Denise (Anna Maria Horsford). Without much need for guesswork, it’s clear that Dennis and Denise share a unique bond, one which Carla is only now learning about. This unexpected revelation brings an exciting twist to her life. It seems their wedding was hastily arranged without proper planning, as Denise is quick to point out! The house they adore is beyond their budget, but that changes when Denise proposes a brilliant idea: she offers them the funds and decides to move in with them to assist in raising the baby. Isn’t it heartwarming, thoughtful, and generous? Dennis queries his wife. Carla appears taken aback, as if her thoughts might scatter like scattered pieces.

The third pair eyeing the Los Feliz house are Leslie (Abbi Jacobson) and Sarah (Poppy Liu). They’ve been captivated by this home, and now that they’ve halted their IVF attempts, they have some extra funds to invest in purchasing it. They appear wonderful! I find Sarah’s initial impression of the house having “creepy vibes” intriguing, as trust your intuition, lady! However, as with any characters in a Liz Feldman production, these two aren’t without their issues. We later uncover that Sarah continues to administer IVF injections in secret. Additionally, we find Leslie questionable at best, or perhaps even a bit insane. At the very least, Leslie makes some extremely poor decisions.

Following Sarah’s request for a drive around the Morgan house at night to explore the neighborhood, Leslie remains uneasy about the strange occurrence in the upstairs bedroom where they noticed the door handle jiggle earlier. Although it appears this neighborhood is as peaceful as can be, her suspicions linger that something unusual is happening within. Consequently, she contrives a plan for a little trespassing, perhaps to discover who or what resides in that room. However, one might question if any rational adult wouldn’t surmise that the inhabitants of the house could be the source of the noise? Furthermore, it remains unclear how Leslie intended to access the second-story window for her investigation – a plan that seems both reckless and ill-advised.

In this scenario, Leslie rarely manages to progress far enough for planning to become necessary, as immediately after slipping through the back gate, a floodlight illuminates and the neighbor’s dog starts barking, disturbing Paul and Lydia who were already tense due to an emotional open house, Mikey’s blackmail threats, and Paul’s finger getting sliced by a buzz saw. With his nerves frayed, Paul descends to confront whoever or whatever is outside. However, before doing so, he pauses for a moment: He rushes to the basement, where he retrieves a handgun stored inside a pipe, a weapon that seems to have been intentionally concealed – possibly as potentially incriminating evidence.

Suddenly, we receive some crucial details: Firstly, it’s revealed that Jacob, Lydia’s son who she’s been calling throughout the episode, was tragically killed inside the Morgan residence. Given this, it’s understandable why they’re selling the house now; after three years, they don’t have to disclose a death occurred within the property. Furthermore, Paul experiences a brief memory flash when he sees the gun again – a vision of a hooded figure lying in blood on their kitchen floor, which appears to be Mikey. This, along with the hidden gun, Jacob’s demise, and the urgent desire for Paul and Lydia to depart from this house, seem interconnected. It seems possible that the Morgans could unwittingly stir up chaos in the storyline.

At a minimum, it seems there could be questions for Paul, given that Leslie – known for her persistent nature – witnesses him hiding a gun inside Lydia’s piano.

Closing Costs

Now we understand why Lydia feels reluctant to leave this house: It’s because she cherishes her connection with her son. This includes the precious memories they created here and her belief that he communicates with her through the flickering lights in his room, particularly when she addressed the light fixture with a soft “hi.” To be honest, that small gesture made me feel a deep sense of empathy.

It seems that Emily, their daughter, hasn’t returned home since Jacob passed away. One might wonder what information she has!

I’m hoping they give Matt Rogers’s character, Greg the Realtor, a chance to showcase more than just witty banter during open houses. The brief, tense exchange he had with Margo was spot-on, and I can’t wait to see more of such moments.

• Vanessa Bayer in a blink-or-you’ll-miss-it cameo during the open house, but for why?

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2024-12-12 14:54