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Review: Dead to Me Coasts on Charm

Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate in Dead to Me. Image courtesy of Netflix.

The plotting is fairly workmanlike and straightforward, leaning into soapy tropes. Each episode doles out a reveal that is supposed to keep us interested, but plays like a game of building blocks. However, the acting of Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini is so good, the chemistry so good, that it single-highhandedly elevates the show and keeps you wanting to watch it. Does it treat the messy, conflicting emotions of post-tragedy coping with honesty? Yeah, I’d say that is does. Clunky plotting, but good writing, whip-smart acting and a realistic little dive into what a sudden death might do to an unhappy marriage made it a compelling show. I doubt I would want to watch Season 2 though.