Burying Peacock’s ‘Laid’: Analysis and Review

“Laid” is a new romcom sitcom on Peacock that tells the story of Ruby, a party planner in Seattle, whose exes mysteriously start dying in the order she slept with them. Along with her true-crime obsessed best friend AJ, Ruby tries to unravel this mysterious chain of deaths. The show, created by Nahnatchka Khan and Sally Bradford McKenna, is adapted from an Australian series of the same name.

In this story of friendship and dating, written by two women creators, the male actors in the show truly shine. Characters like Brad, played by Ryan Pinkston, and Zack, played by Andre Hyland, bring depth and personality to their roles. On the contrary, the female exes in Ruby’s life are portrayed more lightly, with Alexandra Shipp as the one exception.

Stephanie Hsu plays Ruby, a character with a dark side that contrasts with her sweet appearance, while Zosia Mamet plays AJ, Ruby’s supportive friend. Michael Angarano’s Richie adds an interesting dynamic to Ruby’s dilemma between him and Isaac. However, Tommmy Martinez’s portrayal of Isaac falls a bit flat, lacking the depth to make the character truly engaging.

The tone of the show at times feels out of place, with the constant reminder of Ruby’s exes’ deaths coming off as outdated and edgy. As the show progresses, the premise evolves to make the deaths of these characters feel less tacky. However, the first death, without a clear cause, raises questions about the show’s sensitivity in handling these heavy themes.

While “Laid” has its moments of humor and intrigue, especially in the performances of certain cast members, it struggles to find its footing in the romcom genre. The show sometimes misses the mark in balancing comedy with the weight of its central mystery, leaving viewers with mixed feelings about its overall execution.