The ‘Burbs Season 1 Review: Keke Palmer is on the Case
Keke Palmer takes a turn as an amateur sleuth in TV’s latest whodunit dramedy, The ‘Burbs, on Peacock.
The trend of these light mystery stories, which center on ordinary people and eccentric detectives solving complex crimes, has a long history. Early Hollywood loved a playful detective yarn.
In recent years, that genre has had a bit of a rebirth, with shows like Only Murders in the Building, The Afterparty, etc.
The latest entry in this trend to make its debut is Peacock’s The ‘Burbs, which is a reimagination of the 1980s movie of the same name starring Tom Hanks.
The new iteration of The ‘Burbs swaps Tom Hanks for the always delightful Keke Palmer.
Palmer plays Samira. Samira is a lawyer and newlywed from the city, who, along with her infant son, Miles, moves into her husband’s childhood home in the Hinkley Hills suburbs.
It doesn’t take long for things to get weird when Samira starts asking questions about the dilapidated Victorian house across the street. Things only get more suspicious when, after decades of abandonment, a new mysterious person moves into the house.
Aided by a small group of eccentric neighbors, Samira can’t help but investigate and put herself right in the middle of something that, of course, is wilder than all the wildest rumors swirling around the cul-de-sac.
As is generally the case with these mystery dramedies, it’s best not to think too deeply about the plot. That said, as these types of stories go, the plot of The ‘Burbs Season 1 is pretty engaging.
The story moves along at a nice pace, with enough unexpected turns to keep viewers guessing without straying too far from the realm of reasonable suspension of disbelief.
If there is one real complaint about the plot, it’s that most of the B plot lines fall flat. That said, the writers clearly hope to get more seasons.
These B plots may be seeds that will bear fruit later if the show is renewed. But, in Season 1, they don’t add much value to the series. That quibble aside, the plot is a solid container for the aspects of the show that really make it worth viewers’ time, the characters and the actors who play them.
These types of shows live or die on the strength of the character writing and the cast performances, and The ‘Burbs definitely thrives on its character work.
That is mainly because Keke Palmer is so damn likable. Keke Palmer is an excellent actor. That is nothing new. Her line delivery, her comic timing, her non-verbal choices, and just everything about her presence on screen elevate anything she’s in.
On The ‘Burbs, Palmer is at her best during her comedic moments. Her delivery as she weaves together clues to make the case for her latest theory is pitch-perfect. Her non-verbal reactions to the various bits of nonsense from her neighbors are better than any line a writer could have given her.
Palmer is also very effective in the more serious moments. One sequence of scenes involving the police stands out as a great reminder of her dramatic chops.
But it’s more than just her skill as a performer. Palmer seems to exude charm and charisma effortlessly. She is just someone who naturally draws viewers in the moment she shows up on screen.
Palmer alone would be reason to check out The ‘Burbs. She isn’t the only one to shine on the series, however. Joining Palmer is a fantastic cast that plays the allies, adversaries, and general weirdos living in Hinkley Hills.
Julia Duffy, Paula Pell, and Mark Proksch, playing Samira’s scobby gang, Lynn, Dana, and Tod, respectively, are standouts among a strong supporting cast.
Next to Palmer, Pell probably provides the biggest laughs, and Duffy brings a lot of warmth to a role that will subvert some viewers’ initial expectations of her character.
Another character who doesn’t get as much screen time but who makes the most of the scenes he does get is Samira’s brother, played by RJ Cyler. He is a delight and has tremendous on-screen chemistry with Palmer. Hopefully, if there is a Season 2, we will see a lot more of him.
The ‘Burbs isn’t groundbreaking TV. It’s not meant to be. It is intended to be some fun escapism with endearing characters you enjoy spending time with. By that metric, it more than meets the mark. And frankly, sometimes that’s all you really need from a show.
What did you think of this season of The ‘Burbs? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don’t forget to leave your own rating!
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All episodes of The ‘Burbs stream Sunday, February 8, on Peacock.
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Sarah Fields
Sarah is an obsessive geek who likes to get into the weeds and over think things. She is passionate about Sci-Fi and comics and is a giant classic film nerd. Sarah cares deeply about media representation and the power of telling diverse stories. When she's not writing or watching her favorite shows she spends her days working in the non-profit world trying to make life a little better for those that need some extra help.