Laid: Season 1 Episode 8 – Season Finale Recap and Review | The Key To Ruby’s Curse/Hex Appears
“Laid” ultimately feels like a show that shouldn’t have been remade and will test how bulletproof Stephanie Hsu’s career is (assuming this isn’t actually a rating bonanza for Peacock).
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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| Category | Details |
| Originally Aired | December 19, 2024 |
| Network | Peacock |
| Director(s) | Nahnatchka Khan |
| Writer(s) | Sally Bradford McKenna, Nahnatchka Khan |
| Character | ACTOR’S NAME |
| Ruby | Stephanie Hsu |
| Isaac | Tommy Martinez |
| Dr. Debra | Elizabeth Bowen |
| AJ | Zosia Mamet |
| Richie | Michael Angarano |
| Amanda Knox | Amanda Knox |
| Zack | Andre Hyland |
| Ruby’s Dad | François Chau |
| Jason | Finneas O’Connell |
Quick Recap
As much as Ruby would like to not pass on the hex to anyone, dry-humping Isaac is not a long-term solution. However, as noted by Dr. Debra, who quits being Ruby’s therapist and gives it to her straight, she needs to think of someone else besides herself and what she wants. It isn’t presented as a potential cure or means to solve the hex, but, as shown by AJ, Richie, and many others, Ruby is selfish and a user.
So, with that in mind, she hooks up AJ with Amanda Knox, her season-long obsession, and tries to present it as something Zack did. Too much effort went into it to ever be Zack, so AJ sees through it, but the grand gesture is appreciated, and they reconcile at Isaac’s parents’ anniversary party – just as three more of Ruby’s exes die. With that, it is decided, especially after AJ and Zack get back together, to transfer the hex to the lady upstairs. There is no discussion of the consequences; it is just a decision made that anyone she may have been with over the decades of her life are expendable.
Thus, the ritual Janelle said gets done, and for a month, no one dies. However, the day or day after AJ, Ruby, and Zack check on Jason, he dies at the zoo, which leaves Zack next and then Isaac since he and Ruby finally slept together after learning Jason was, at the time, alive. While freaking out about the hex still being ongoing, Ruby’s father shows up, thanks to Richie mailing her letter, and he reveals he knows about the curse, for he experienced it too. Which sets up the storyline for season 2.
New Character Descriptions
Ruby’s Dad
Ruby’s dad abandoned her at 18, when her mother died, without any real explanation. However, it appears one of the reasons is for being responsible for her mother’s death – since what was an assumed hex could be a family curse.
Other Noteworthy Information
Review
Trajectory (71/100): Decline
I know I have the problem of accepting something is a TV show, so logic needs to be set aside for the sake of a storyline. However, you’re telling me, AJ, just because Ruby got her to meet Amanda Knox, is going to be forgiven? Never mind, while admitting 85% of the time Zack gets on her nerves, he’ll get forgiven, too? I’m starting to think someone put a hex on AJ because what in the world would make someone so forgiving? Does she have fears of ending up alone that the show didn’t dive into? It seems being forgotten is one of the things she is insecure about, but does she also have some abandonment or other issues stemming from her parents?
Speaking of parents, I don’t know about you, but I hate season finale cliffhangers. The reason is that, in general, it feels split between a desperate attempt to get another season and being arrogant enough to think what you got is so good that you’ll be able to continue the story. I’m more so the type who like an ellipsis. That you got a complete story, but there is still room to expand.
“Laid” doesn’t end that way. Ruby’s dad showing up with the reveal the curse could be generational made me roll my eyes. Bad enough, they passed the hex to the lady upstairs and didn’t give Isaac the side eye when he talked about giving the hex to Richie, but to have this pivotal character show up at the end? After all but two people Ruby slept with died?
What exactly is a season 2 supposed to hold? Assuming it is eight episodes, what do they really have to cover for all that time? Considering this season took place over 6 months, based on how long it has been since Ruby’s date with Jason to when she sees him the day before or the day he does die, does this show really need an additional 8 episodes to cover the dad’s explanation and maybe breaking the curse?
I’m just frustrated since some scenes and characters made this seem like it could be or get better, but the finale makes me wonder how many of these problems were carried over from the original Australian version of this show or if the issues are strictly because of those involved with the remake.
On The Fence
- AJ Forgiving Ruby and Zack
- Ruby’s Dad Showing Up At The End
- No Remorse On Passing The Curse To Someone
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