No Good Deed ending, explained: What really happened in the house?

As a seasoned gamer of life with over 30 years under my belt, I must say that “No Good Deed” on Netflix has been one of the most captivating and engaging series I’ve watched in a while. The storytelling was top-notch, with its perfect blend of humor, tragedy, and mystery that kept me hooked till the very end.

WARNING: Major spoilers ahead from the No Good Deed season finale!

Netflix debuted its dark comedy show titled “No Good Deed” on December 12. Creator Liz Feldman’s fresh venture following the Emmy-nominated “Dead to Me” offers an appealing blend of sorrow, enigma, and laughter that was distinctive in her past work.

In a star-studded cast, Lisa Kudrow and Ray Romano play Lydia and Paul Morgan, a married couple in Los Angeles whose empty nest finds them trying to sell their home. As three distinct families express interest in purchasing the desired property, the long-kept secrets of the Morgans’ past gradually emerge. Everybody is curious about the truth, yet none wish to shoulder it more than Lydia and Paul themselves.

No Good Deed skillfully unfolds the mysterious incident from their past, the reason for its concealment, and the trigger for selling the house – it was the tragic demise of their son, Jacob. As the series progresses, we ultimately uncover who was responsible for Jacob’s death, leaving us completely surprised by the revelation.

Here’s your last spoiler warning!

No Good Deed ending, explained: What really happened in the house?

Who killed Jacob in No Good Deed?

For most of the season, the movie “No Good Deed” seems to suggest that either Lydia, Paul, or Paul’s brother Mikey (Denis Leary) might be responsible for Jacob’s murder. The story unfolds with a burglary at the Morgan residence where Jacob unfortunately was struck by the burglar’s gunfire and lost his life. However, as events unfold, it becomes clear that this isn’t the entire truth about what truly transpired.

In actuality, Jacob was mistakenly identified as the burglar, but the break-in at the Morgan’s house was deliberately orchestrated following his murder. Prior to this incident, Jacob had been exhibiting disruptive behavior and stealing items from different work sites and residences. A surprising twist emerged when it was revealed that he was dating Margo (Linda Cardellini). In a turn of events, Jacob stole some jewelry from Margo, threatened to expose their relationship, and fled. This prompted Margo to chase after him across the street brandishing her gun.

Upon forcibly entering their shared dwelling, Jacob is hit by a bullet fired by Margo. Through the kitchen window, Margo observes Lydia and Paul’s daughter Emily standing in astonishment. Before she’s spotted, Margo swiftly dashes back to her residence under the concealment of darkness. Since Jacob was dressed in a dark hoodie and mask, Emily mistook him for a burglar and fired the family’s gun at him as well.

Yet, Emily didn’t recognize that the individual she fired upon was her own brother. When Lydia and Paul grasp the gravity of the situation, assuming Emily had accidentally killed her brother, Paul contacts Mikey to assist in staging a burglary and concealing the murder weapon. The autopsy report remains undisclosed. Their primary concern being the preservation of their sole surviving child, they took on the burden of the truth, the trauma, and the damage it inflicted upon their relationship with Emily.

As a gamer delving into this mystery, it’s Leslie (Abbi Jacobson), a lawyer and prospective house buyer, who’s been instrumental in unearthing the true tale behind Jacob’s demise. She senses something amiss about the incident at the home and the fate of the Morgans’ son. When she manages to unseal the autopsy report, we find out that the bullet that took Jacob’s life wasn’t fired by Emily, but by Margo instead. For three long years, the Morgan family has borne the weight of a tragedy they had no hand in causing.

No Good Deed ending, explained: What really happened in the house?

Who buys Lydia and Paul’s house?

Throughout the eight-episode journey, I found myself caught in a constant tug-of-war between the three families and the Morgans over that one house. Dennis (O-T Fagbenle) and Carla (Teyonah Parris), who are eagerly anticipating parenthood, Leslie and Sarah (Poppy Liu), a loving couple, Margo, and her former soap star spouse JD (Owen Wilson) – each with their unique motives, all sought to claim that house as their own.

In just a blink, the house is either up for sale or not; there’s a flurry of buyer offers, followed by unexpected twists. It’s quite the thrilling ride in the real estate world they call home. Some couples are ruthless in their pursuit, but only one pair – Leslie and Sarah – ultimately succeeds in securing their ideal residence.

It’s clear that Sarah gave birth to Dennis and Carla’s child and also hinted about the house to discourage them from continuing their quest. Meanwhile, Leslie aimed to discover Jacob’s truth in order to bond with Lydia (even though she claims her intention was to be a good person, both scenarios could be valid). Ultimately, everyone else finds a happy conclusion as well.

Similar to a long-hidden secret, JD and Margo’s home was consumed by flames with Margo trapped inside, leaving her half her face scarred for life. Using money secretly provided by Carla’s father (without Carla knowing), Dennis and Carla purchased the property where JD and Margo’s house once stood to construct their ideal home. Leslie and Sarah are readying themselves for the arrival of their son in the Morgan’s (now aged) former residence. In the end, Margo, also known as Luann, is apprehended by Mikey’s police officer son while JD secures a significant new acting opportunity.

For the Morgans, their tale reaches its end at a show where Emily strums a song penned by Jacob on her guitar, with Lydia accompanying her on the piano. Notably, she also managed to retrieve her piano. Paul stands beaming, feeling proud as he observes his table lamp flicker subtly. Indeed, Lydia was correct; Jacob’s presence remains with them. As the series wraps up, Paul offers a warm greeting, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of their conclusion.

Watch No Good Deed only on Netflix.

2024-12-12 11:28

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