As a long-time fan of dark comedies and a seasoned viewer of relationship dramas, I must say that “Laid” left me feeling rather underwhelmed. The premise is intriguing – a woman’s sexual past coming back to haunt her in a morbidly humorous way – but the execution falls short.
In the Peacock comedy “Laid,” Ruby Yao (played by Stephanie Hsu) is portrayed as self-centered, difficult, and even unforgivable, with some describing her as if she belonged behind bars. However, Hsu’s captivating performance and the character development of Ruby are undeniably hard to stomach, both intentionally and unintentionally challenging. Interestingly, the karmic retribution that Ruby experiences in this series, written by sitcom veterans Nahnatchka Khan (“Fresh off the Boat”) and Sally Bradford McKenna (“The Goldbergs”), deviates from what one might expect. Instead of affecting Ruby herself, those she has ever slept with start to pass away, usually in bizarre circumstances and always in the order they had sexual encounters.
The premise of “Laid” shares similarities with the acclaimed British show “Lovesick,” but it doesn’t follow the same format. While “Lovesick” uses a character’s STI as a means to revisit past relationships, “Laid” presents higher stakes that the series struggles to maintain consistently. The show seems to handle Ruby’s (literal) number of partners in a carefree manner without fully exploring the potential terror or dark humor associated with this aspect. Instead of teaching Ruby a lesson about her self-centeredness, “Laid” paradoxically reinforces it by suggesting that her personal life is more important than any other lives combined. The issues with “Laid,” like those in Ruby’s life, largely originate from Ruby herself.
In her first major role, Hsu, an Academy Award nominee known for her breakout performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” portrays a character who differs significantly from the villain she played there. Ruby, as depicted by Hsu, is more of a clueless chatterbox with unexpected moments of heartlessness, such as forgetting the identities of those she unintentionally dooms. She’s neither so vile that her monstrous behavior becomes a source of humor, like the Dubek siblings in “The Other Two,” nor so endearing that her potential redemption seems plausible. Instead, she comes off as irritating. To further emphasize her annoying nature, Ruby is a die-hard fan of musicals, particularly “The Greatest Showman.
If Ruby isn’t convincing at the given moment, the show “Laid” similarly struggles to delve into the causes of her romantic complications. This exploration is primarily achieved not through genuine dialogues, but through Ruby’s therapist (played by Elizabeth Bowen) explaining her issues, ranging from abandonment fears to an obsession with a type of love often portrayed in popular culture, directly to her. As for its effectiveness in real-life therapy and entertaining value on television, this approach is equally lacking.
In the series “Laid,” Ruby partners with an old flame named Richie (Michael Angarano), who has a personal stake in uncovering the truth. Richie’s negative view of Ruby makes him a fitting adversary and a valuable sparring partner; he seems more suitable for this role than Ruby’s roommate AJ (Zosia Mamet) or her latest client Isaac (Tommy Martinez), who could potentially become romantic interests. (Angarano also takes on some product placement for Toyota, which the show seems to be self-consciously joking about, but the humor falls flat.) Unfortunately, Richie arrives too late in the story, limiting “Laid’s” potential impact and suggesting a larger problem with the narrative pace. Brad (Ryan Pinkston), Ruby’s work colleague, turns out to play a significant role in the plot, but this isn’t made clear until several episodes have passed.
As a film critic, I must confess that at times, “Laid” seems to don a more sarcastic, less sophisticated mask reminiscent of its predecessor, but John Early’s performance, as always, shines brilliantly. Regrettably, the season concludes with an open-ended question mark, leaving both the central enigma surrounding Ruby’s condition and the series’ own identity hanging in the balance. In the end, “Laid” appears to be lacking a clear perspective on Ruby’s affliction – is it a symbolic representation of her treatment of exes, or merely an opportunity for comedic relief amidst the accumulated despair? By any standard, “Laid” ultimately disappoints.
All eight episodes of “Laid” are now streaming on Peacock.
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2024-12-19 22:46