Not Dead Yet Season 2 Episode 3 Review: Not In the Cards Yet

On Not Dead Yet Season 2 Episode 3, “Not In the Cards Yet,” Nell offers to watch kids as everyone else heads to an awards ceremony she isn’t invited to. That turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

She expects to reclaim the mantle of “cool Aunt Nell”, but Tilly would rather play video games with Edward and run a fake restaurant. It all makes Nell’s debate over whether to have children herself come a little close to home.

She and Edward end up squabbling over their empty plates. When Tilly runs out in response, Nell learns that Sam and her husband have been having serious fights. She offers comfort and realizes she could be a great mom—assuming she still has time.

The awards ceremony is centered on a lifetime achievement award for Duncan. That should be dubious enough already, but more eyebrows are raised when additional awards seem randomly tossed out to other staff members.

The whole thing is a sham, put together by Lexi to try and earn her father’s affection. Does it work? Let’s just say we’re now taking five step backs for every step forward and that Lexi is venting her feelings to a cardboard cutout of dear old dad.

The idea of reaching a “certain age” regarding childbearing is one every woman hears, regardless of whether they want kids. The more important takeaway is that something as important as whether to have them shouldn’t be left up to fate.

Nell’s heart-to-heart with Tilly helps her realize she could be a great mom. I like to think what will follow is an exploration of options that don’t necessarily involve romance. Nell’s just opening up to unconventional paths to happiness and doesn’t need to quash that now.

Hearing about Sam and her husband taking a break can hardly help promote the idea of a nuclear family as the best way forward. Even though the man’s mentions have been so brief that he can barely be considered a side character, this is a real blow.

We’ve sometimes struggled to see Sam outside of the storyline where she’s torn between Nell and Lexi’s friendships. I hope this gives her a chance to find herself, even if that comes through bonding with Nell as single women (and eventually single moms?)

As for the mess of an awards ceremony, I know we’re meant to be absurdly horrified by the lengths Lexi will go to, but I’m honestly impressed by what she pulls off in an afternoon. Shame about that AA meeting following them—and the ceremony’s open bar.

Jokes aside, the way it boils down is as frustrating as ever. Just three episodes into this season, all I can think is that they need to give us something to root for Duncan’s improvement. His moment of self-realization is long gone, and this bad dad is hard to watch.

Even with all this upheaval, the most noteworthy thing about this episode may be that the only ghost appears for just a few minutes at the start. There’s enough going on for us to manage without their usual antics, but I still miss their commentary.

 

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Not Dead Yet airs Wednesdays at 8:30/7:30c on ABC.

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