Dead Like Me

I have never been more upset about a show getting canceled. With all the crap that is on television at the moment (said crap shall remain nameless, but it's initials are Desperate Housewives) Originality is a very rare commodity. You would think that the networks would be so desperate for something original and well written that they would jump at the chance to renew shows like this. Instead, as with Firefly and Wonderfalls, they jump at the chance to Cancel them.

You have never sen a show like Dead Like Me. The title it's self is very deceptive. This show that revolves around a group of dead people is actually all about family, and life. As it was with great shows like Star Trek, the show is all analogy. Death is a metaphor for growing up, and the characters are a metaphor for family. The main character, Georgia Lass started out as a know it all teenager who believes she knows everything. Upon her death however, she becomes a grim reaper, taking souls from those who are about to die. and begins to grow and change as the responsibilities of life (even an after life) begin to catch up with her. Her boss-of-sorts Rube (the head of the grim reapers) takes on the role of the father figure both to her, and to the rag-tag bunch of reapers under his employ. The stories revolve around life, family and friendship. The regrets in life, the need to move on, and trying to reconcile the two.

Another original aspect of the series is that we actually see how the family (that is George's actual family) moves on and copes with the death of their daughter. In most series where we have a character that either goes away or dies, the family is always abandoned, almost as if they were designed to do nothing but appear in one episode. With Dead Like Me we see the impact the death of a loved one effects the family. They go through a long and tying journey to bring happiness and normality back to their lives. It is a rare move in television and something that was very original.

The plot may sound a little weird, and it is. But it's extremely original and profoundly well-written. It amazes me that it only lasted two seasons. My advice to anyone reading is WATCH THIS SHOW. You will be very thankful you did. It's truly amazing