“Grosse Pointe Garden Society” released its season finale on May 17, and the show was a thrill. Its mix of red herrings and mystery makes it a truly captivating and entertaining watch.
This suburban mystery of murder unfolds with complicated love lives and hidden affairs. The affluent, flower-filled world of Grosse Pointe serves as a striking contrast to the lies, secrets and betrayals that fester beneath its manicured lawns. At its core, the show is not just about the audience discovering the murder — it’s about how ordinary people take on an awful circumstance and grapple with it along with their daily lives.
The show follows actress Aja Naomi King, notable for her work as Michaela Pratt from ABC’s “How to Get Away with Murder,” as she takes on a new and different role as Catherine, a trapped housewife and realtor.
And there are other actors that make the show shine like a Firefly Petunia. The show stars AnnaSophia Robb as Alice, a dog-loving high school teacher filled with the same rage as “John Wick.” Many remember Robb from her time as Violet Beauregarde in “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” She acts alongside Brett, a kind, single father, played by Ben Rappaport, who is hopelessly in love with her. Alongside them, Melissa Fumero portrays Birdie, an affluent woman charged with driving under the influence (DUI), who is forced to do 300 hours of community service at the Grosse Pointe Garden Society.
The storytelling from the director, Maggie Kiley and writers Jenna Bans and Bill Krebs does a phenomenal job of crafting this series. Every episode gives hints at what really happened and who was murdered, but is done so in a way that discovering the murder doesn’t happen until the second-to-last episode. And that is what makes the show so amazing. While the red herrings can be annoying in other media like “Gravity,” “Grosse Pointe Gardens Society” does an extraordinary job making it exciting, not repetitive.
The frequent time jumps, marked by on-screen labels, are so creative and immersive that they help keep a consistent narrative flow. The show is visually appealing and captivating, with the coloring of the set and various flowers, giving the feeling of life in comparison to the themes of death, betrayal and scandals. The show’s tinting changes from the pre-time skips of a brighter, vivid world to the time skips of a darker, grayer tint, demonstrating the storytelling in a beautiful visual way.
While the show tries to emulate the success of series like “Desperate Housewives” and “Big Little Lies,” as evident in its use of narration and intertwining personal dramas, critics state that “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” falls short in delivering the sharp wit and originality of its predecessors. However, they are wrong. The show is witty, hilarious and sharp. Although it does lack some originality, it is done well. Unlike many of its predecessors, the show doesn’t rely on shock for shock’s sake; it builds suspense through character.
It is a deliciously dark, beautifully shot and emotionally intelligent drama that deserves more recognition. It doesn’t just tell a mystery — it cultivates it like a garden grown from secrets and lies. Whether the audience is drawn to juicy scandals, high-stakes friendships or simply wants a show that respects their intelligence while still surprising them, “Grosse Pointe Garden Society” is worth watching. Hopefully, NBC sees its potential and brings it back for another season, because this garden has far more secrets yet to bloom.
Verdict: This unlikely bunch brings humor, drama and heart to the show, truly making it a worthwhile watch.
