There’s been a lot of hype surrounding NBC/Peacock’s new drama Grosse Pointe Garden Society, and I was definitely eager to see what all the buzz was about. The anticipation was real, especially with the early access granted to the first four episodes for press, but for now, I’ll be diving into the pilot.
From the jump, the pilot serves up a sharp, satirical lens into the lives of four suburban garden club members. On the surface, they live in picture-perfect Grosse Pointe, but beneath that glossy exterior, things are far from ideal. The show wastes no time embracing every cliché of suburban drama—scandal, intrigue, and even a murder hanging over everything. It’s a familiar setting, yes, but it’s executed with a sharp sense of dark humor that manages to keep you engaged, even if you feel like you’ve seen this kind of drama before.
At the heart of the story is Alice, played by AnnaSophia Robb. As both the protagonist and narrator, she stands out in this world, a high school teacher and aspiring writer who just doesn’t fit in with the rich, pretentious suburban crowd. Her description of herself as a geranium “planted where it doesn’t belong” feels like a perfect metaphor for her struggle to find her place. It’s not just about the garden society; Alice is trying to carve out a space for herself in a world that feels suffocating. Her involvement with the garden club serves as the structural backbone for the episode, but as the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Alice isn’t the only one with a chaotic life—everyone in this world has some serious secrets.
The real gem of Grosse Pointe Garden Society is the ensemble cast. Aja Naomi King, playing Catherine, a real estate agent stuck in a loveless marriage, brings so much depth to her role. Her performance feels incredibly real and relatable—her quiet sadness is something I really connected with. Ben Rappaport’s Brett, a divorced father dealing with the fallout of his ex-wife marrying into wealth, adds another layer of authenticity to the show. But honestly, the character who steals the spotlight for me is Melissa Fumero’s Birdie. She’s a socialite with a penchant for martinis, and her chaotic antics inject the show with humor and a bit of madness that’s honestly refreshing. Birdie’s the character I’m most eager to see more of. And then there’s Nancy Travis, whose portrayal of Alice’s overbearing but loving mother adds just the right touch of lightness to balance the darker moments.
That said, there’s a lingering sense of predictability that nags at the show. Grosse Pointe Garden Society feels like a modern-day Desperate Housewives, but it doesn’t seem to bring anything truly new to the table. The suburban setting, the toxic relationships between the women, and the secrets everyone’s hiding—these are plot points that feel a little too familiar. The inclusion of a male friend who’s passionate about gardening feels forced and almost unnecessary, like an afterthought that doesn’t quite add much to the dynamic.
I have to admit, there’s a part of me that feels like the show is setting up an intriguing world that could evolve into something special, but right now it’s still leaning heavily on tried-and-true formulas. The dark humor and character dynamics are definitely compelling, but for the series to really take off, it needs to push beyond the clichés and find its own unique voice. If it can do that, I think it has the potential to go from good to great.
Right now, Grosse Pointe Garden Society feels like it’s just beginning to bloom, but I’m not convinced it has the depth to grow into something more than what we’ve seen in other suburban melodramas. The potential is there, but whether it can evolve beyond the predictable and carve out a truly distinct identity? Time will tell, but I’m cautiously hopeful.
What did you think?
Loved it
Hated it
So/So
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