Not Dead Yet Season 2 Episode Review: Not Owning It Yet

On Not Dead Yet Season 2 Episode 1, “Not Owning It Yet”, we pick back up shortly after the tumultuous events Nell faced at the end of the previous season. An ego boost from Lexi’s father might be just what she needs…at first.

Comedy icon Brad Garrett plays Mr. Duncan Rhodes, who both is and isn’t everything we’d expect him to be. He’s very much the corporate boss from hell and yet seems to be that way out of pure ignorance to how the world (and human decency) works.

In lesser hands, he’d just be a villain, and he kind of is anyway thus far. He lures Nell from her better angels under the guise of wanting her to draft his obituary. Soon, he’s complimenting her, inviting her to lunch, and offering her a raise.

It’s all to “motivate” Lexi, picking someone to heap praise on who he knows will aggravate her into trying to do better to gain his attention. Thankfully, Nell is turned off when she learns of these tactics and expresses as much in her draft.

Her words make something of an impact and Duncan takes his first baby step toward being a better father. There’s a long way to go, but a lot of sitcoms have seen great success in making audiences root for otherwise despicable people.

As much as it’s interesting to see Nell fold so quickly to the questionable charm of someone she initially rightfully dislikes, it’s even more significant to see the effect on Lexi. It’s another piece in explaining how she became the person we see at the start of the series.

Nell’s first time writing about someone who, well, isn’t dead yet, puts a new spin on things and I’m curious to see if it’ll be a trend that continues through the season. I assume she’ll eventually be able to make changes to the first version of this obit.

We do get one ghost in this episode, a snarky but wise character played excellently by Nico Santos. Sadly, he doesn’t get enough to do in this already-packed storyline. If his own memorial hasn’t officially been written yet, can he come back?

Meanwhile, Lexi blows off steam by engaging in more insult-based flirting with Edward. They provide some of the best dialogue in the episode and they certainly have some kind of chemistry. I’m just not sure it’s the kind that can really go anywhere—yet.

We get a handful of updates about other characters, most notably that Dennis and his husband are now foster parents to two adorable kids. With the plot so centered on introducing Duncan, the balance is a little off, but hopefully will return soon.

Between Lexi’s father and the likely inevitable revelation of Nell’s spirit visitors to at least some people in her life, we should expect to see some shakeup to the dynamics between characters as she continues to manage her unique new life.

Of course, there will also be plenty more ghosts, each helping Nell improve herself as much as she helps them move on to the afterlife.  It’s not be the most straightforward path to character growth, but it might be just what Nell needs.

 

What did you think of this episode of Not Dead Yet? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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

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