No Good Deed Recap: An Evening Out With Friends

As a seasoned real estate agent hailing from the bustling city of Los Angeles, I must say, the lives of these characters are as intriguing as a Hollywood script, albeit with a dash more chaos and a lot less glamour. The twists and turns in their lives are reminiscent of the winding roads leading to the hills of Laurel Canyon, filled with unexpected surprises at every bend.

Margo wants the Morgans’ house so badly, and nothing is going to stop her. We’ve known her to be a schemer since day one, but now that she is unleashing that quite prodigious skill on Derby Drive, the lengths she’ll go to get what she wants are on full display, and something tells me we’re only seeing the tip of the fake fingernail, as it were. She is in full control of her manipulations — honestly, there are times when she is so good at lying you have to wonder if she’s even convinced herself she’s telling the truth (she declares she is 33 with such confidence!) — what happens when Margo goes unhinged?

Regarding the peculiar situation, Paul continues to imprison his brother within a confined space. One would assume that both Paul and Lydia would be highly anxious about this turn of events, yet they appear remarkably calm. It seems Paul is content with keeping Mikey under pressure until he reveals all evidence related to the night Jacob passed away. Moreover, he provides him with water and a makeshift toilet, while monitoring his actions through a security camera. As for Lydia, she appears to be passively accepting her husband’s actions. I can understand being distraught from grief, but this behavior is certainly questionable.

Lydia questions if Paul and herself were truly typical individuals, given their current state, even though they once seemed ordinary. However, considering that the person nearby has just experienced severe brain injury, it’s unclear if they were ever as normal as they appeared. The series raises concerns about Paul and Lydia’s background because, after Jacob’s demise, it’s uncertain whether they were content or constantly troubled. Furthermore, with only Mikey in their known circle, there’s no one else to shed light on what their normal life looked like before the chaos ensued. At this stage of the show (five episodes in), it’s challenging to connect with them emotionally beyond a superficial level.

Despite the Morgans appearing unfazed about Mikey, this predicament has undeniably strained their marriage. Paul’s disdain for Lydia is evident; he’s mocking her for wearing Jacob’s Dodgers hat (“Is he communicating through baseball caps now?”) and criticizing her efforts to avoid selling the house. Frankly, I’m no psychologist, but having a house on the market while keeping a man captive in the walls might not be the best idea, but who am I to judge? Paul seems unable to communicate with his wife without expressing disapproval.

As a passionate moviegoer, I’ve got to say, Lydia isn’t shy when it comes to expressing her thoughts. With Mikey being holed up somewhere and the house temporarily off the market while they regroup, Paul felt the need for some fresh air. So, he whisked Lydia away to the park, where we indulged in some tantalizing tacos. Yet, when I tried to delve into Jacob, he dismissed me with a brief response. When I noticed a couple exchanging engagement rings nearby, his cynical remark made me wonder. Eventually, I mustered up the courage to ask, “Is there any love left for me in your heart?

Just as he was about to respond, with his hesitation suggesting much more than words could say, unexpectedly, Margo and JD appeared. However, this seemingly chance encounter was anything but; Margo, feeling frustrated that the house had been taken off the market after she felt Lydia showed interest in her bid, had carefully orchestrated it. JD, though a poor improviser, was skillfully played by Luke Wilson in this show. In contrast, Margo was adept at improvising (despite claims that she had just turned 33 that very day). She was also astute when it came to reading people, and after discussing the house with the Morgans, she discerned that Paul would be an easier target to persuade them to hand over the keys. Lydia didn’t want to sell, Paul was eager to offload the property, and Margo saw an opportunity to exploit this divide. Acting like any cunning young woman might, she deliberately punctured the tires on both Paul and Lydia’s car, forcing them to accept a ride home and then pressuring them to join her for her birthday celebration.

Margo dons a small bathing suit and manipulates Paul by suggesting they both relax in the hot tub, using his grudge against Lydia as bait. The atmosphere becomes flirtatious, filled with unfunny jokes, physical contact, and an abundance of Margo-ritas. At first, Paul enjoys it; the drinks aren’t too strong for him. However, things take a turn when Margo replies to his jest with “okay, wanna watch?” which is more than he can handle. He decides to leave, but in an attempt to keep him, Margo alters her approach and discusses her current marital troubles, hinting at her dissatisfaction and the need for a break. Unbeknownst to her, Paul understands these feelings all too well.

Within this setting, JD and Lydia find themselves together, offering an ample display of just how absurd JD can be at times. Impressing her with his acting talents, honed from playing a blind baker in the film “Love at First Bite“, he struggles to play Elton John’s “Your Song”, resulting in a less-than-impressive performance. Lydia maintains her composure as best she can, but it becomes increasingly challenging. When she reveals that she hasn’t been able to play since Jacob passed away, it is JD who breaks down in tears. He admits that the night Jacob died, a burglar entered their home. Both he and Margo heard him, yet instead of taking action or confronting the intruder, he chose to hide in the closet until the intruder left. A gun is present in their house, and he feels guilty for not stopping him before going to the Morgans’. However, Lydia understands that he would’ve felt even worse if he had taken action, as it could have led to Jacob being harmed.

Thankfully, Lydia and Paul manage to return home mostly unhurt. Margo believes she’s cast a spell on Paul, but we all know Margo tends to be rather delusional. However, she wasn’t entirely off the mark, as Paul does appear altered after the evening. He informs Lydia that Margo offered significantly more than they asked, but he also recalls Lydia’s dislike for Margo, and ultimately, understanding the gravity of his decision, he wants Lydia to choose whose offer they’ll accept. This chivalrous act ignites a spark between them, and they start passionately kissing. It’s been three years since they last made love, but it seems like tonight could be different for Paul and Lydia!

Oh dear, the doorbell rings, disrupting the current situation. Who’s the playful guest at our doorstep, number one? It turns out to be none other than Nate, Mikey’s son, who’s in search of his father. I had a feeling that the “I love you” in Paul’s fake message would lead to some consequences!

Closing Costs

Leslie and Sarah become obsessed with true crime as they begin to connect clues about both Jacob’s and Mikey’s deaths. This is because Greg told them the Morgan house was temporarily off the market due to his brother’s situation. Using Sarah’s favorite community app, they connect with Phyllis who has extensive information on the Morgans, including a video that appears to show Lydia attacking Mikey. Combined with the gun Leslie saw Paul conceal, they are starting to suspect that Paul and Lydia might be quite culpable for these incidents.

When Sarah gets scared after realizing an unsolved murder occurred in her dream home, Leslie attempts to console her by implying that there were likely other tragedies on the block, such as Indigenous people being murdered. Sarah retorts, “How heartless would I be if that eased my concerns?” Abbi Jacobson and Poppy Liu deliver a captivating performance.

• Leslie received a message from Greg, informing her that his previous unresponsiveness was due to being in a “sensory isolation tank.” This man’s lifestyle fascinates me deeply.

JD regrets that they seldom have family dinners nowadays. He explains this by saying, “Harper has grown up, and Margo follows a vegan diet after two o’clock.

2024-12-13 01:54

No Good Deed Recap: An Evening Out With Friends

Closing Costs

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