by Chantal Ashford, Contributing Writer
Amidst the deluge of new series across various platforms, there’s always one that manages to pique your interest while flying under the radar. Enter, How to Die Alone,a dramedy that stands out for its unique story and features the talented Natasha Rothwell in her first leading role.
Rothwell brings to life the character of Mel, a 35-year-old, plus-sized Black woman, who, like many of us, is navigating life’s challenges. She’s broke, working at JFK Airport, and hasn’t ventured far from New York City or love. However, a near-death experience on her birthday becomes a turning point, inspiring Mel to start living and dreaming. Her journey is one that resonates with many of us, making her a character we can all relate to.
Throughout this first season’s eight episodes, Mel’s journey to a better life is enriched by a diverse cast of characters. From her best friend, the affluent Rory (Conrad Ricamora), to her new friends Allie (Jaylee Hamidi) and Tamika (Melissa DuPrey), her older brother Brian (Bashir Salahuddin), and her ex and boss Alex (Jocko Sims), each character brings a unique perspective to Mel’s story. This diverse ensemble ensures that everyone can find a character they can connect with.
The standout feature of How to Die Alone is its unique narrative structure. Each episode begins with a conversation with a city native(s) about the episode’s topic. These discussions provide diverse perspectives and beliefs, setting the stage for how Mel will handle the situation in the following half-hour episodes.
Episode Five, “Trust No One,” is the series’ highlight as the Thanksgiving episode. We see Mel go against Brian in psychological warfare, deal with a dating app, pine for their mother’s (Ellen Cleghorne) attention, and have a heart-to-heart by the end of the night.
Rothwell finally shines on her own as this series’ creator, showrunner, and star. Her comedic timing has always been there, as seen in previous projects, so this role was a piece of cake. We get the funny, vibrant Mel and the vulnerable and honest side of the character when she wakes up in the hospital and no one is there to greet her.
The moment she wakes up in the hospital bed alone, Mel realizes the difference between being alone and loneliness, amongst other things in life. How long can you live your life and watching it waste away?
In the season finale, “Get Lost,” as the new year begins, Mel is finally doing herself and not listening to anyone else. In a way, she’s getting her own Eat, Pray, Love moment, a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. But of course, as Mel is flying high, it’s going to have to come crashing down in a big way. As soon as we see Mel getting to live life, the moment is gone, and the screen goes black.
Lately, new shows have been getting canceled left and right, and I hope that, for the sake of this new series, How to Die Alone has a fighting chance.
Rating: Loved It
How to Die Alone is currently streaming on Hulu
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