How to Die Alone

How to Die Alone is one of those laugh-out-loud shows that makes you feel less embarrassed about your love life. Every episode kicks off with delightfully absurd man-on-the-street style interview clips, then serves up a surprising, entertaining, and insightful take on the search for purpose and love. There is a particularly amusing percocet-fueled dance sequence at the beginning of Episode 2, a scene that, like many others, masterfully blends humor with genuine emotional moments.

Rothwell’s performance is memorable, and the show’s unique setting and quirky characters add to the awkward charm. It tip-toes around typical romcom clichés, instead focusing on Mel’s personal growth and her evolving relationships.

For anyone who has ever been driven to the brink of insanity at work, Episode 3 has a great flashback scene where Mel tells off her boss in a really epic way. If you’re into tear jerkers, there are also a few scenes with her brother that had me in my feelings. Their push/pull dynamic stemmed from her wronging him and her refusal to admit it. When she catches him being less than perfect, she finally feels like she has the moral upper hand. The writers did a fantastic job of giving them both endearing and enraging qualities. It’s a somewhat heavy episode with less comedic gags than usual, but it is so worth the watch.

The part of me that loves chaos was really into the last couple of episodes. There’s a WILD “night before the wedding of the ex who broke your heart,” and an argument that’s way too real and gut wrenching. And when Mel finally admits her feelings to herself, it detangles a ball of nerves that she then immediately re-tangles. As a viewer, the show had me hooked. But as a person whose anxiety only flares up in a relationship — my chest was tight watching Mel open herself up and get metaphorically cut open!

I’ll let you find out for yourself what all of this means and how it builds to the finale. But the show is a testament to the fact that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. We can go after what we want…and we might even get it.