‘Grosse Pointe Garden Society’ Review: NBC’s Suburban Murder Dramedy Fails to Flower

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Prior to viewing NBC’s “Grosse Pointe Garden Society”, I hadn’t given much thought to the extent that gardening metaphors could be taken. Each of the four episodes sent to critics features voiceover narration, and interestingly, it’s always from a different viewpoint, yet consistently employs flowery language to characterize individuals as various plant species or label unwanted guests as pests.

If this show stands out in any way, it could be due to its strong focus on this particular aspect. There’s a small portion of me that eagerly anticipates if it continues for a full hundred episodes, solely to witness how subtly or cryptically the vegetation-related symbolism might develop.

A significant portion of me remains indifferent about its continuance, though. Alice (AnnaSophia Robb) might see herself as a free-spirited geranium or her friend Brett (Ben Rappaport) as a tenacious dandelion. However, the show they’re part of feels more like baby’s breath on television – a decorative, innocuous flower that leaves little impact and is soon forgotten.

The concept is intriguing, yet somewhat reminiscent. It essentially represents another addition to the vast collection of dramedies focusing on charming suburbs, where the peaceful exterior is abruptly broken by a startling act of violence. In the contemporary era, Alice, Brett, meticulous realtor Catherine (played by Aja Naomi King), and carefree socialite Birdie (Melissa Fumero), who are all members of the garden club, face various personal struggles such as loss of pets, infidelity in marriages, and child custody disputes. However, from the very start, recurring flash-forwards hint that within six months they’ll be trying to hide a murder that occurred under the cover of night. The identity of the victim, the method of death, and the motive are the central mysteries that the series will unravel.

The problem lies in that the Grosse Pointe Garden Society fails to develop a unique approach to their storyline. With a vague backdrop, a neutral demeanor, and underdeveloped characters, it’s more forgettable than unpleasant to watch. Instead of holding your attention, it leaves you pondering other superior productions that it reminds you of. It lacks the biting satire and powerful emotionality found in HBO’s Big Little Lies, the self-aware wit of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, and the immediate chemistry of NBC’s Good Girls. The creators of GPGS, Jenna Bans and Bill Krebs, seem to have missed the spark that made their previous work for NBC stand out.

The program attempts to blend various elements without being overly focused on any one thing. It hints at the drama surrounding Catherine’s passionate relationship with her coworker Gary (Saamer Usmani), but it doesn’t delve too deeply into the steaminess of their situation. It also subtly mocks characters like Marilyn (Jennifer Irwin), a wealthy socialite, and the local PTA members who are known for their gossiping and hypocrisy, but it doesn’t go far enough to cause significant confrontation.

The hand gestures suggest a commentary about class, as teacher Alice and landscaper Brett grapple with their middle-class income in an affluent neighborhood. However, the discussion doesn’t delve much beyond casual observations like “the rich are different,” maybe because the show Garden Society‘s depiction of Grosse Pointe doesn’t offer enough distinct features to set it apart from other generic upscale suburbs on TV.

The show appears to be deeply invested in exploring the relationships within its main quartet, especially the blossoming romance between Brett and Alice, reminiscent of Jim and Pam from The Office. However, it’s challenging to support characters who are written to be so agreeable and ordinary that they lack distinct personalities. This becomes even more difficult when the show portrays “agreeableness” and “ordinariness” in a way that Brett, who has been so openly smitten by his platonic friend Alice that it’s led to the demise of his marriage (with Melissa played by Nora Zehetner), and Alice, who seems oblivious to her husband Doug’s (played by Alexander Hodge) growing frustration.

The Grosse Pointe Garden Society has some commendable aspects. One of these is King’s nuanced portrayal of Catherine. Despite Catherine maintaining an appearance of perfection – she is a respected member of the community, a prosperous businesswoman, a devoted mother to a charming child, and a loving wife to a handsome, successful husband (Jocko Sims) – King skillfully communicates the sadness, anger, or rage hidden beneath her calm, unyielding façade. Furthermore, an unexpected bond with Birdie brings a dose of warmth and humor to what would otherwise be a stiff character.

Furthermore, Birdie stands out as the star attraction, undeniably stealing the show. Bold, reckless, often overdressed yet somehow under-sober – she considers her three olives in a martini to be an appetizer, main course, and dessert – she’s a stark contrast to Fumero’s wholesome characters from Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Fox or his roles in Netflix’s Blockbuster. The actor embraces this change, delivering a captivating performance as a tantalizing femme fatale alongside a local police officer (Matthew Davis), and portraying a riotously spoiled princess sharing the screen with her housekeeper.

However, Fumero skillfully contrasts Birdie’s boisterous character with moments of tender sweetness or sorrow, particularly in scenes involving Ford (Felix Wolfe), a young scholarship student whom she develops a complex connection with. Through her acting, you can perceive the potential charm of Grosse Pointe Garden Society. Fumero brings to life a caricatured portrayal of a particular kind of idle and negligent socialite, yet also a relatable character you can empathize with.

For a brief moment, let’s revisit Alice’s gardening metaphor: when various flowers are combined, they may appear perfect on the outside, but it’s uncertain what lies beneath. Birdie is unique in that you can feel the pulse of emotion beneath her designer attire, driven by the poignant ache of longing. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Grosse Pointe Garden Society as a collective. While their plants are visually appealing, there seems to be a lack of depth or vitality necessary for this series to flourish into something remarkable.

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2025-02-23 19:54