In the affluent neighborhood of Los Feliz, the Morgan family's decision to sell their 1920s Spanish-style villa sets off a chain of events that unravel the dark underbelly of their seemingly perfect lives. "Open House," the inaugural episode of Netflix's 2024 dark comedy series "No Good Deed," introduces us to a complex web of characters, each harboring secrets that will soon be exposed.
**Lydia and Paul Morgan (Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano)** are our hosts, a married couple with a tragic past. Their son, Jacob, died under mysterious circumstances within the walls of their home, an event that has left indelible scars on their family. The house, once a sanctuary, has become a prison of memories, with Lydia clinging to the past and Paul desperate to escape it. Their dynamic is fraught with tension, as Lydia is hesitant to let go of the home that holds so many memories of their children, while Paul is eager to sell, driven by a sense of urgency that is not yet fully understood.
The open house attracts a diverse group of potential buyers, each with their own set of desires and deceits. **J.D. (Luke Wilson)** and **Margo (Linda Cardellini)** are a seemingly perfect couple with a hidden agenda. J.D., an out-of-work soap opera actor, is struggling financially and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep his wife in the lifestyle she desires. Margo, on the other hand, is a manipulative force, cheating on her husband and plotting to flip the Morgan house with her lover, **Gwen**. Their relationship adds a layer of intrigue and potential chaos to the mix.
Another couple, **Carla (Teyonah Parris)** and **Dennis (O-T Fagbenle)**, are expecting their first child and are drawn to the Morgan home. Dennis, a mama's boy, brings his mother, **Denise (Anna Maria Horsford)**, into the equation, causing tension with his wife, Carla. Denise's offer to finance the home in exchange for moving in with the young family is met with resistance from Carla, who is just beginning to understand the depth of Dennis's relationship with his mother.
The third couple, **Leslie (Abbi Jacobson)** and **Sarah (Poppy Liu)**, are a lesbian couple considering the home after giving up on IVF. Sarah senses "dark vibes" from the house, but Leslie, driven by her obsession, is determined to uncover the secrets it holds. Leslie's actions, including her ill-advised decision to trespass on the Morgan property, set the stage for the unraveling of the Morgans' carefully constructed facade.
As the episode progresses, the arrival of **Mikey (Denis Leary)**, Paul's estranged brother fresh out of prison, adds a new layer of tension. Mikey, demanding $80,000 from Paul, is not just a creditor but a participant in the cover-up of Jacob's death. His threats and violent tendencies escalate the stakes for the Morgans, who are now forced to confront the past they've been trying to outrun.
The episode ends with a series of revelations and foreboding signs. Lydia, unable to part with her son's memory, communicates with what she believes are Jacob's spirit through the flickering lights in his room. Meanwhile, Paul, in a moment of desperation, disposes of a handgun in Lydia's piano, a weapon that may be connected to their son's death.
"Open House" is a masterclass in setting the stage for a dark comedy thriller. It introduces a cast of characters with intertwined fates and secrets that will inevitably collide. While the first episode may not have all the answers, it certainly leaves viewers with a sense of foreboding and a hunger for the truth that lies beneath the surface of the picturesque Derby Drive.