I Thought Laid Might Be Too Dark, But After Watching The Peacock Series, I’ve Changed My Mind

As a seasoned viewer of romantic comedies and a hopeless romantic myself, I must say that “Laid” has truly left an impression on me. Coming from someone who’s been through more than a few rom-coms and real-life romantic entanglements, this show stands out in a crowd.

Once more, the peacock has shone brightly. They’ve just released a new laugh-out-loud comedy, further demonstrating their strength in creating top-notch shows. This small yet powerful platform is consistently delivering exceptional series among the leading streaming services.

Currently, you have the opportunity to watch “Laid” on Peacock, expanding their impressive collection of romantic comedies. This time, it’s presented as a TV series, and the lead character is Ruby, a 30-something woman seeking her soulmate. While she hasn’t shied away from dating multiple people in her search for true love, this journey has had some severe repercussions along the way.

Due to my past encounters with Peacock, I approached Laid with optimism, expecting another fantastic addition to their TV lineup, and fortunately, it lived up to my expectations.

Warning: minor Laid spoilers are ahead. Proceed with caution.

I Thought A Premise Like This Might Be Too Dark For A Romantic Comedy, But Laid Changed My Mind

The storyline of “Laid” revolves around Ruby’s former lovers meeting untimely deaths, which range from tragic accidents to prolonged illnesses. Given the unpredictability, it might seem like an unexpected twist for a romantic comedy genre. However, despite its grim premise, the narrative maintains a lighthearted feel, defying the typical dark associations with death. It’s worth noting that movies with dark or morbid themes are not rare in the realm of romantic comedies. For instance, “Spontaneous,” one of the notable films from 2020, is a youthful romantic comedy about teens who mysteriously explode spontaneously.

That’s a bleak topic, but Spontaneous is a well-done rom-com/dramedy. Then there are a ton of romantic comedies about serial killers or literal monsters falling in love. So yeah, romantic comedies being a bit morbid is not common, but not completely unusual. The ones with dark topics that work, like Laid, know how to play within the rom-com genre to give the right tone and also stay true to the potential horror aspects of the story. Though the deaths here are approached in a comedic way, you do feel the weight of them. You sympathize with those who have already died and those who could.

The Series Nails The Comedy And Romance Parts

In a romantic comedy like this, romance and humor are crucial elements of the plot. The pilot introduces a man who could potentially be Ruby’s next love interest, yet things are bound to get intricate. It’s not just due to the fact that every partner Ruby has slept with is passing away, but also because of the challenges that arise when reintroducing exes into her life, as well as complications stemming from her new romantic involvement.

Stephanie Hsu exhibits fantastic chemistry with her love interest and various exes featured in Season 1, which significantly enhances the show’s appeal as a captivating romantic comedy. The convincing on-screen chemistry is crucial for such genres, and Hsu’s ability to connect with multiple screen partners underscores the series’ promise within the romantic comedy TV sphere. Although it may not be flawless or among my top picks at this point, Season 1 demonstrates a promising start.

In my opinion, the romantic aspects are solid in this series, but it’s the comedy that truly shines. It’s incredibly witty and amusing. The creators cleverly use strategic references and maintain a number of ongoing, absurd gags, such as the recurring joke about characters forgetting AJ (Zosia Mamet). Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna are the brilliant minds behind Laid, which is an adaptation of the 2011 Australian series with the same name. Notably, Khan has extensive experience in writing and directing for comedic television shows and films, including Fresh Off The Boat, Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23, Always Be My Maybe, and Totally Killer.

As a fan and admirer of Bradford-McKenna’s past work, I can confidently say that their involvement in shows like “Reboot,” “Back to You,” and “Will and Grace” has undeniably left an indelible mark on the comedy world. The creativity and comedic prowess demonstrated by these series creators and showrunners have paved the way for a delightful, promising production like “Laid“.

Stephanie Hsu Perfectly Captures The Mess That Is Ruby

It wasn’t until the release of “Everything Everywhere All At Once” that many people truly appreciated Hsu’s exceptional acting skills, particularly her remarkable comedic delivery. This performance rightfully earned her a 2023 Academy Award nomination and brought her to the limelight, leading to roles in movies and TV shows such as “Joy Ride,” “Poker Face,” and “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” It’s wonderful to see Hsu taking on lead roles in productions like “Joy Ride” and “Laid,” showcasing her undeniable talent.

The series boasts a number of notable guest roles played by actors familiar from various television programs and films, though you might not instantly recall the specific titles.

In a captivating twist, the already robust ensemble of secondary actors and special guests gains an extra boost when they share scenes with Hsu. Her performance subtly transforms Ruby into someone less appealing, yet manages to keep audiences rooting for her. At times, you find yourself disliking Ruby intensely, yearning for distance from her character. However, Hsu’s enchanting appeal allows you to eventually forgive Ruby. Despite your initial antipathy, you soon find yourself feeling sympathy or empathy towards Ruby’s relentless pursuit of satisfaction and affection.

Moreover, it’s precisely Ruby’s imperfections that contribute to the show’s success. If she were more endearing, it might be challenging to follow her as she experiences the turmoil of witnessing so many former partners meet their demise. However, her self-centered nature makes you feel exasperated and comprehend why the universe seems to be meting out punishment on her, even though one can’t help but wish that lessons could be learned without such a high cost. Ruby is the kind of complex character that only skillfully written shows and talented actors can make appealing.

Laid Challenges The Idea Of Romantic Comedies But Not In A Judgmental Way

Laid delves into the idea of genuine love and romance, questioning whether the pursuit of it is beneficial. Ruby, however, is far from your typical romantic. Instead, she veers towards an unhealthy obsession, where reality seems to blur, she resorts to questionable actions to attain it, and she treats others poorly if they don’t meet her ideal partner criteria.

I don’t think being a hopeless romantic is a bad thing. However, it can become that way if you hold people to unrealistic standards, and only see love as this magical thing, not something with scars, small moments, compromise, and even ugly moments. As stated in the show, the warm/fuzzy, grand moments are great in the beginning but you want eventually to get to the “good okay,” and that’s just as powerful as a grand display of love.

Laid never seems dismissive or mocking towards romantic comedies or those who adore them deeply. Instead, it points out their limitations when used as a template for all significant romantic relationships. The best romantic comedies pale in comparison to a couple that perseveres through hardships to reach their 40th anniversary. Expressing love amidst paparazzi is impressive, but nothing beats waking up next to that person daily to discuss trivial matters like breakfast and the weather.

I Found The Main Mystery Very Intriguing

Laid isn’t just a delightfully humorous romantic comedy, but also a captivating whodunit that left me eager to unravel the secret behind all her former lovers’ untimely demises. Could any of them be rescued? Was there a solution to this conundrum? The first season certainly piqued my curiosity with its intriguing premise, and I found myself more invested in finding the truth than the romantic and comedic aspects. This may very well prove to be one of Peacock’s strongest mystery series as well as its funniest comedies.

Laid’s Season 1 Ending Made Me Want Another Season

I’m unable to reveal how “Laid” concludes its first season, but it certainly manages to leave viewers yearning for more due to my eagerness to find out what transpires next. As soon as the credits started rolling, I couldn’t help but exclaim, “Please don’t end it like that!

Since Peacock has been quite prolific with renewing shows lately, I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we’ll get another season of it.

You really ought to watch “Laid” since I now believe it ranks among the top TV shows available on Peacock. It’s amusing, occasionally romantic, and less unsettling than one might anticipate. If a show about mortality can be made without being frightening, then it’s certainly worth streaming.

Stream Laid on Peacock.

2024-12-27 00:07