DTF St. Louis Would’ve Been So Much Better Without the Murder Mystery

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HBO’s miniseries, DTF St. Louis, brings together two very different and unsettling stories. One centers around a man found dead near a pool, with an empty drink and an old Playgirl magazine nearby. The other follows the complicated friendship of two middle-aged coworkers who are both having affairs—and one is having an affair with the other’s wife.

Floyd Smernitch, portrayed by David Harbour of Stranger Things, is both the betrayed husband and the man who ends up murdered. He’s a kind, unassuming sign language interpreter and devoted stepfather. While his death drives the story forward, connecting the police investigation with scenes from the past, it unfortunately focuses too much on a simple murder mystery. The show could have explored a more complex and interesting story about love and friendship in middle age, but instead relies on this predictable plot device.

I instantly liked Clark Forrest, this super-fit local weatherman who bikes everywhere. I mean, the guy’s practically a superhero – right when I meet him, I end up saving him from a flying stop sign while we’re covering a storm! Turns out, that’s just his life – always jumping in to help, even if it means getting hurt or looking silly. He’s really trying with his stepson, Richard, and opens up in therapy, admitting he wasn’t a perfect student either. He’s desperate for Richard to avoid a life of quiet disappointment – what he calls getting ‘grownup C’s’. Honestly, you can tell he’s speaking from the heart because he’s clearly struggling with his own life – money, his health, and his marriage are all falling apart.

The story begins with a somewhat unclear timeline, but Clark quickly becomes friends with Floyd and begins an affair with his wife, Carol (played by Linda Cardellini, known for portraying complex women). Feeling guilty, Clark convinces Floyd to join DTF: St. Louis, a dating app for people seeking discreet affairs. When Floyd is found dead, the app becomes central to the investigation led by two detectives: the seasoned but prejudiced Homer (Richard Jenkins) and the sharp, evidence-focused Jodie (Joy Sunday from Wednesday), who is determined to uncover the truth.

Premiering March 1st, DTF is a show that keeps you guessing. What seems like inconsistency might actually be intentional. It’s quirky and often surreal, with performances and writing that swing between feeling artificial and deeply real. The character of Floyd is genuinely good-hearted, so his infidelity feels surprising. Meanwhile, Clark and Carol seem to be hiding their true selves behind a facade. Creator Steve Conrad (known for Patriot) often keeps the inner lives of his characters hidden. After four episodes of this seven-part series, it’s still impossible to predict where the story is headed, just as it was at the beginning.

While the dynamic between Jenkins and Sunday is compelling, I find Floyd’s death uninteresting. What truly captivates me are the connections within the love triangle – how Clark and Carol idealize Floyd, the strange “dream meetings” where the characters explore power dynamics, and the complex nature of human desire. The murder feels like a needless diversion from what makes this story special, or even a way to prop up characters who deserve a more original storyline. Couldn’t this drama explore emotional complexities instead of relying on a crime? Isn’t the human heart, with all its conflicting feelings, mysterious enough on its own?

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2026-02-26 20:06