How To Die Alone: Season 1 Episode 1 – Review & Recap
Natasha Rothwell, known for Kelli in “Insecure” and Belinda in “The White Lotus” stars in a show that may have a depressing foundation, but you can see all the opportunities to find ways to laugh to keep from crying.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Storyline Recap
So, This Is My Life – Rory, Melissa, Alex
At 35, Melissa’s life isn’t terrible, but isn’t great. She has a mountain of debt but not much to show for it. She does have a best friend in Rory, but he will lie to her and break plans if it means an opportunity to have sex with someone attractive. Alex gets her in a way like no other man has, but she broke things off and now he is engaged to be married to someone she thought would just be a rebound, and his destination wedding is in two months.
But she is employed at JFK airport and has her own place! Yeah, the place has mice, but she isn’t homeless. It’s the absolute bare minimum, but it is something.
It May Seem Wrong, But I’m Desperate – Melissa, Elise, Brian
Unfortunately, one of the issues of living alone is that if something happens, you have to hope someone is nosy enough to report it. In Melissa’s case, she was putting together a cabinet while eating, and then the cabinet fell on her, and the food got lodged into her throat – causing her to not breathe for three minutes. Luckily, a neighbor called 9-1-1.
Now, sidestepping the medical debt they likely put Melissa in, one of the pluses of this is Melissa meets Elise. She is a woman who fell and is close to 80 years of age, and after Melissa tells off the nurse for pressing her about finding an emergency contact, the two strike up a conversation. One that boils down to Elise, who also doesn’t have anyone, pushing Melissa to still live her life to the fullest. This is Elise’s final words and before Melissa knows it, she finds herself alone again.
It should be noted, though, Melissa does have family beyond Rory. Her mom is alive, and she calls her on her birthday. She also has an older brother, Brian. From what it seems, Brian is looking to have an affair and might be the most vocal of Melissa’s family, who thinks she could and should do more with her life. But today is not the day to hear that, so Melissa leaves his car before getting home because going from the hospital to where she lives is a drive, and the day was hard enough.
But, with Elise’s advice in mind, despite how she feels about Alex, she tries to book a trip to his wedding. However, because she is broke, she can’t afford it, but with the hospital giving her Elise’s things, she uses Elise’s card and is able to pay for it. Thus, Melissa starts using Elise’s advice and resources to make her life fulfilling, including adopting Elise’s dog.
New Characters
Check Out The Character Guide For More Information.
Natasha Rothwell As Melissa
When we met Melissa, she was 35 years old and had been working at JFK for four years, originally for baggage claims, but now she helps people get around the airport in her cart. Outside of work, she doesn’t have much of a life, but that may soon change as she has come into some money that technically was given to her but likely qualifies as stolen.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Love, Simon.”
Conrad Ricamora As Rory
Rory is Melissa’s best friend, and he can be a bit flaky when he gains access to better things to do than hang out with Melissa. Which, with him coming from a rich family, happens more often than Melissa would like.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Here Lies Love.”
Jocko Sims As Alex
Alex is Melissa’s ex, perhaps the only guy she has ever had reciprocal romantic feelings for, but they broke up due to her decision to self-sabotage. Now, seemingly within a year of that break-up, he is engaged to someone else.
Jackie Richardson As Elise
Elisa was a woman that Melissa met at the hospital. She saw herself in Melissa and encouraged her to get out there. What she didn’t know or realize is that, using her debit and credit card, she would do just that.
Bashir Salahuddin As Brian
Brian is Melissa’s older brother, who is married, seemingly pursuing an affair, and with whom she doesn’t have a close relationship.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Miller’s Girl.”
Review
Highlights
It Might Be A Comedy, But Melissa Isn’t Trying To Give You Relief
The line between comedy and drama is blurred in “How To Die Alone.” Are there comedic moments, some of which are awkward? Yes. However, it never sidesteps the loneliness of Melissa and the depiction of, while it is nice to have friends and family, not having someone to come home to, who makes you a priority, is the most depressing part of becoming an adult. This is especially true after spending most of your life with someone who was your default emergency contact as a parent or who often put you first.
On The Fence
Brian’s Potential Storyline
In the first episode, a lot happens in 30 minutes, and while for some, nothing notable is said or happens, Brian raises an eyebrow. As a man who allegedly is married to a White woman yet is going on dates with Black women, Brian has a few odd features. Add in how volatile his relationship is with Melissa, him having three kids, and being the introduction to Melissa’s family dynamic, and so comes the need to question how his character will be handled?
Will he show what happens when someone settles early in life and then seeks joy? Is he just a man tired of what he has and doesn’t appreciate his wife and family, so he is seeking something new? “How To Die Alone” is a traditional half-hour comedy, so we’re at a point where all we have is a tease. But, thankfully, like most new shows or seasons on streaming platforms, we get multiple episodes to start things off, so what Brian may ultimately contribute may not remain a mystery for long.
The Gist
The TLDR Recap/ Review
- Melissa’s life is at a bit of a low point at this moment as her ex gets engaged, she realizes she isn’t necessarily anyone’s priority, and she isn’t living as much as waiting to die.
- However, after nearly being killed by a piece of furniture, she ends up in the hospital next to a woman named Elise, who was like Melissa at one time in her life, and before Elise dies, she encourages Melissa to live.
- What Elise may not have expected, however, was Elise to live by taking her dog, her debit and credit cards, and using Elise’s money to follow her advice.
- When it comes to dark humor, there is likely nothing as dark as the jokes geared towards laughing to keep from people seeing you cry, but that’s what “How To Die Alone” delivers.
- It gives you the dreariness of getting older and seeing and hearing your friends pair off, maybe have extended ho phases, and meanwhile, you go to work during the day and try to figure out what to do with the rest of your time.
- Never mind the reminders that, when something happens, you are your own emergency contact.
- However, while this show will likely hit those who are unhappily single and isolated in the gut, even if they have a bunch of acquintances, it seems Melissa is on the path to finding joy.
- Which, if we’re lucky, won’t come in her finding a man, or woman, but learning to enjoy life by herself, featuring others who come and go like guests, instead of like insects and rodents you tolerate.
General Information
- Previous Episode: N/ A
- Series Page
| Episode Title | Stop Living |
| Release Date (Hulu) | September 13, 2024 |
| Created By | Natasha Rothwell |
| Director(s) | Jude Weng |
| Writer(s) | Natasha Rothwell |
| Character’s Name | Actor’s Name |
| Melissa | Natasha Rothwell |
| Rory | Conrad Ricamora |
| Alex | Jocko Sims |
| Elise | Jackie Richardson |
| Brian | Bashir Salahuddin |
