She Liked To Boogie – The series begins with Emmaline “Emmy” Talia Shapiro (Lauren Collins) giving an awkwardly brief speech about her recently deceased mother, Fern Shapiro (Megan Follows) before unveiling her headstone. Jude (David Reale) and Cole (Daniel Maslany) help sped along the process and ease the awkwardness but they soon learn there isn’t much they can currently do about the headstone’s typo.

Things only rapidly go downhill as the mourners return to Fern’s house for refreshments. In an attempt to get away from the overcrowding mourners and their condolences, Emmy excuses herself to the restroom. A brief visit from her mother dampens the mood further while simultaneously providing a bit more background into their complex relationship. As it is turns out, Fern apparently died three years ago from cancer and doesn’t think much of her daughter’s decision to pursue law over medicine. The encounter leaves Emmy so drained that she retires to her childhood bedroom.

It isn’t long before she’s joined by Jude. He doesn’t appear at all shocked to hear about Fern’s visits but doesn’t get that long to digest it thanks to Cole’s arrival. As he joins them and offers hits from his vape pen, he tells them that the Rabbi (John Stocker) wants to offer his blessing. Although she opposes, it’s seconds later when they are downstairs.

Despite the Rabbi falling asleep during the blessing, it is nowhere as near as embarrassing as Jay’s (Rainbow Sun Francks) toast, declaring his love for Emmy. He also briefly comments on Emmy retaining Fern’s greatest traits but the most awkward part is when he claims to have a gift for her and gets on his knees to retrieve it. A very excited Layla (Jenny Raven) not only overreacts to the gesture but incorrectly assumes it is a marriage proposal when it is actually just a gifted t-shirt with the motto, ‘Sad Ain’t Bad.’ It doesn’t help when Jude uses the already awkward moment to announce Mia’s pregnancy.

Things between Jay and Emmy only get stranger when he insists on going down on her later that evening and doesn’t appear to want to take no for an answer. Despite his insistency, he does eventually abandon the pursuit. Much to Emmy’s displeasure, this leads to a discussion about having a baby, which she is clearly opposed to. They’ll continue to debate the issue for several minutes before she convinces him to reproach the issue in a month’s time.

Despite Fern’s earlier criticisms, the episode ends with her soothing Emmy to sleep with a lullaby.

 

My Dead Mom Review

I’ll keep my opinion a bit reserved for the moment since this was the first premiere, the episode was extremely short, and I am unfamiliar with the creator’s previous work. That being said, I didn’t find the series all that appalling, compared to a lot of things I’ve watched. Yes, there is plenty of cringe humor and enough stereotyping to fill the Grand Canyon, but my biggest concern is that the series doesn’t appear to have a path.

I understand this might simply be about life but I can’t help but feel that a clear goal would help things out. Emmy and Fern don’t appear to have the best on-screen chemistry and this isn’t likely to change but I can overlook that for the moment. This overall concept isn’t completely unappealing. I guess we’ll just have to see where things lead. I do have hope for the series and for that, I’d give it at least a 5 out of 10.

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