Published by Mason Oldridge, 20 December 2024
CONTAINS SPOILERS!
Ted Danson leads on this comedy-drama from The Good Place creator Michael Schur.
Charles is a lonely widow who is encouraged by his daughter Emily to find a new project or hobby. He answers an ad from private investigator Julie, who is looking for someone to go undercover at a retirement home to investigate the disappearance of a resident’s necklace. Posing as a new arrival, Charles moves into Pacific View for 30 days, though starts to find himself enjoying his new social life and caring for his new neighbours, jeopardising the investigation.
There is a delicate balance of comedy, warmth and sadness to make for a touching story. Much of the comedy arises from Charles’ excitement over being a spy and subsequently his lack of skill at being one, particularly when he discovers his first suspect Jan has died. The warmth comes from the relationships he establishes with the residents; Virginia and Florence help him settle in, he cares for Gladys and he strikes up a close friendship with Calbert. Elsewhere, there is a touch of sadness sprinkled in such as Charles still struggling with the loss of his wife, Florence’s passing, Gladys’ memory loss and eventual move to the memory care unit and coming to terms with declining health from ageing in general.
However, there is one theme prevalent throughout which is dementia. Charles’ wife died from the disease but in the end it proves to be a more defining part of the show than initially believed as it is revealed Gladys is the thief, though unintentionally as a result of her confusion, cleverly highlighting the issue and how the illness can affect people.
As Charles’ cover is blown, he faces backlash from Didi and the residents, upset at his deceit. There is a tear-jerking moment as he breaks down when clearing out his wife’s possessions with Emily but the show delivers on a happy ending as Charles visits Pacific View for Virginia and Elliot’s wedding with the residents appearing to have forgiven him. Furthermore, Julie enlists Charles for a new mission in the final scenes, linking to the already commissioned second season.
If you’re looking for a short, feel-good, heartwarming series to watch, you won’t get better than this.
8/10