What I’m Watching: Dead to Me (Season Premiere)

Dead to Me: Season 2, Episode 1 “You Know What You Did” (B+)

I didn’t originally think this show’s second season was going to premiere in time for Emmy eligibility, but now here it is, and I’m going to have to make my way through it as quickly as I can while still averaging just one or two episodes per week given the rest of my streaming backlog. I really liked the first season, and while I don’t think I had remembered that Steve ended up face down and apparently dead in the pool at its end, I knew I was looking forward to whatever was coming next. I wasn’t immediately excited about the prospect of Jen and Judy having to traipse awkwardly around as they protected the secret of the man whose suburban pool death they covered up for the next nine episodes, and that’s what made the final moment of this episode so fantastic. Learning that Jen hit Steve in an unprovoked moment was enlightening and game-changing, and the fact that he’s not dead means that he’s going to have leverage over them that will further complicate everything. I was excited to recognize Suzy Nakumura, who I’ve come to know as the eternally angry Iris on “Avenue 5,” as Karen, the neighbor we’ve seen before who embodies everything Iris would hate if the two existed together. It was also great to see Natalie Morales, from the recently cancelled “Abby’s,” who I wish would get more consistent work on shows that aren’t ending, as Michelle, the daughter of the new resident played by Renee Victor from “Weeds.” Now that Judy got her belongings back from Abe’s room, I’m not sure we’ll see either again, but I’m definitely on board for what’s sure to be a great season.