It's been 17 years since 'Dead like me' prematurely left Showtime's programming line-up, and despite many quality shows on many platforms, there's still not been another quite like it.
The premise is simple enough to parse: Georgia "George" Lass is an 18-year old trying to find her way in life when it comes to an untimely end. But instead of enjoying a peaceful ever-after, she finds herself in a new body as "Millie" to join the ranks of the local Reapers, individuals that have also "passed on" and who are tasked with tapping souls for collection before they depart the mortal realm.
Throughout the show's excellent two seasons, we're treated to very dry, morbid humor that occasionally diverts into screwball territory. At the same time, George experiences the growth she never had in life as she meets the people she's supposed to reap, and gets closer to her fellow reapers. By following her as a protagonist we're given some deeply heartfelt moments: There's also the shattered family George leaves behind, including her younger sister, and the bubbly supervisor at the temp agency that George spurned in life but finds herself befriending in her second existence as Millie.
Beyond the basic concept of the show, we're also treated to glimpses of deeper lore in the 'Dead like me' universe: There are gravelings, diminutive and gangly gremlin-like creatures responsible for arranging the deaths of those being reaped. There are also other authorities that the reapers seemingly answer to, never seen, who give them their assignments for each day.
The latter especially offer an example of the bigger questions that the characters ponder even in death, and which extend into thoughts for viewers to consider: There's seemingly a cosmic plan, an order to How Things Are Done, but why? Are there tangible consequences for defying the path laid out for us, or is it just forbidden because it upsets some unknown and unknowable sense of order?
Every character very much has their own personality that they bring to the tapestry of the show, and everyone in the cast portrays them so very well. Ellen Muth shines as George, plucky and sarcastic, who comes to learn that things aren't as simple as her angst-ridden teenage self was able to understand. Mandy Patinkin is, as ever, a gift; his performance as Rube offers a father figure for George, and for the other reapers, a surly but caring anchor providing structure to the afterlife as they know it. Callum Blue is irresponsible but endearing as Mason; Jasmine Guy both intimidating and reliable as Roxy; and Laura Harris readily embodies Daisy with both the haughtiness she presents as a facade, and the vulnerability she keeps hidden away. And those are just George's fellow reapers, to say nothing of the outstanding performances by Britt McKillip (Reggie, her sister), Cynthia Stevenson (Joy, her mother), or Christine Willes (Delores Herbig, the supervisor at the temp agency).
Show creator Bryan Fuller left very soon after it began, citing an impossible work environment, and original cast member Rebecca Gayheart followed suit, giving free-spirited reaper Betty a scant few episodes to befriend George. 'Dead like me' was apparently cancelled before it ever truly got off the ground, which is deeply unfortunate and makes me grateful that we somehow at least got two seasons. Moreover, thankfully, those two seasons are very solid, and if anything only plumbed deeper and further engaged viewers before the show met its own untimely demise.
Viewers were promised movies to help finish telling the story of 'Dead like me' after it ended, but regrettably we only got one, and 'Life after death' doesn't nearly meet the standard set by the preceding 29 episodes. There were a couple heartfelt character moments, and a very promising ending, but otherwise the direct-to-video offering mostly felt like a lazy attempt to give the audience resolution without really trying. Fans are better off giving it a pass, or trying to forget they watched it.
Like other shows that were cancelled prematurely, there's certainly no hope now, many years later, of seeing the beloved series brought back. We're left only with the memories (and DVD sets) of what we had - and in that, at least, we are blessed. 'Dead like me' was a fantastic, unique show, as worthwhile in 2021 as it was in 2003-2004. There are no particular weaknesses to discuss, and bearing in mind frank discussion of death and typical content notices for TV viewers, I'd recommend it to anyone.
Absolutely watch it if you have the chance.
The premise is simple enough to parse: Georgia "George" Lass is an 18-year old trying to find her way in life when it comes to an untimely end. But instead of enjoying a peaceful ever-after, she finds herself in a new body as "Millie" to join the ranks of the local Reapers, individuals that have also "passed on" and who are tasked with tapping souls for collection before they depart the mortal realm.
Throughout the show's excellent two seasons, we're treated to very dry, morbid humor that occasionally diverts into screwball territory. At the same time, George experiences the growth she never had in life as she meets the people she's supposed to reap, and gets closer to her fellow reapers. By following her as a protagonist we're given some deeply heartfelt moments: There's also the shattered family George leaves behind, including her younger sister, and the bubbly supervisor at the temp agency that George spurned in life but finds herself befriending in her second existence as Millie.
Beyond the basic concept of the show, we're also treated to glimpses of deeper lore in the 'Dead like me' universe: There are gravelings, diminutive and gangly gremlin-like creatures responsible for arranging the deaths of those being reaped. There are also other authorities that the reapers seemingly answer to, never seen, who give them their assignments for each day.
The latter especially offer an example of the bigger questions that the characters ponder even in death, and which extend into thoughts for viewers to consider: There's seemingly a cosmic plan, an order to How Things Are Done, but why? Are there tangible consequences for defying the path laid out for us, or is it just forbidden because it upsets some unknown and unknowable sense of order?
Every character very much has their own personality that they bring to the tapestry of the show, and everyone in the cast portrays them so very well. Ellen Muth shines as George, plucky and sarcastic, who comes to learn that things aren't as simple as her angst-ridden teenage self was able to understand. Mandy Patinkin is, as ever, a gift; his performance as Rube offers a father figure for George, and for the other reapers, a surly but caring anchor providing structure to the afterlife as they know it. Callum Blue is irresponsible but endearing as Mason; Jasmine Guy both intimidating and reliable as Roxy; and Laura Harris readily embodies Daisy with both the haughtiness she presents as a facade, and the vulnerability she keeps hidden away. And those are just George's fellow reapers, to say nothing of the outstanding performances by Britt McKillip (Reggie, her sister), Cynthia Stevenson (Joy, her mother), or Christine Willes (Delores Herbig, the supervisor at the temp agency).
Show creator Bryan Fuller left very soon after it began, citing an impossible work environment, and original cast member Rebecca Gayheart followed suit, giving free-spirited reaper Betty a scant few episodes to befriend George. 'Dead like me' was apparently cancelled before it ever truly got off the ground, which is deeply unfortunate and makes me grateful that we somehow at least got two seasons. Moreover, thankfully, those two seasons are very solid, and if anything only plumbed deeper and further engaged viewers before the show met its own untimely demise.
Viewers were promised movies to help finish telling the story of 'Dead like me' after it ended, but regrettably we only got one, and 'Life after death' doesn't nearly meet the standard set by the preceding 29 episodes. There were a couple heartfelt character moments, and a very promising ending, but otherwise the direct-to-video offering mostly felt like a lazy attempt to give the audience resolution without really trying. Fans are better off giving it a pass, or trying to forget they watched it.
Like other shows that were cancelled prematurely, there's certainly no hope now, many years later, of seeing the beloved series brought back. We're left only with the memories (and DVD sets) of what we had - and in that, at least, we are blessed. 'Dead like me' was a fantastic, unique show, as worthwhile in 2021 as it was in 2003-2004. There are no particular weaknesses to discuss, and bearing in mind frank discussion of death and typical content notices for TV viewers, I'd recommend it to anyone.
Absolutely watch it if you have the chance.