‘The ‘Burbs’ is a Fun Suburban Mystery
Keke Palmer in The 'Burbs | Credit: Peacock
When new parents Samira (Keke Palmer) and Rob (Jack Whitehall) move to the suburbs, they find themselves caught up in a series of mysteries that they never imagined.
The ‘Burbs is a ton of fun, especially thanks to Keke Palmer’s delightful performance. Samira is a new mom, a lawyer by trade, and the only Black person in the cul-de-sac, which makes for some really hilarious moments. In her sleep-deprived state, she has discovered some shady things going on in the neighborhood that prompt her to do her own investigating. And it’s really fun to watch her do so.
Samira isn’t alone in her investigations. Though she is from the city and feels uncomfortable in the suburbs, she finds a community among the other strange residents of the neighborhood. It’s entertaining to watch them interact and slowly reveal their own secrets to each other as the show progresses. Though Samira’s new friends Lynn (Julia Duffy), Dana (Paula Pell), and Tod (Mark Proksch) are all older and white, they quickly come to have one another’s backs. There’s an earnestness to these eclectic characters that makes this show so fun to watch.
Between Samira and Rob’s best friend, Naveen (Kapil Talwalkar), there are plenty of opportunities for The ‘Burbs to highlight the racial dynamics at work in our world today. While the show doesn’t shy away from these realities, it also highlights the way that people can come together despite their differences. And even older white, wealthy homeowners can learn to change their ways. No one is demonized in this show, and moments of difference are played up for laughs in ways that I thought worked for the most part.
Plus, The ‘Burbs makes fun of suburban living, like making the HOA President a villain who terrorizes the neighborhood, which is pretty hilarious.
Next, I want to dive into how the season ends, which I think is the weakest part of the season. This means I will be spoiling things, so if you haven’t yet watched The ‘Burbs and don’t want it spoiled, don’t read on.
Keke Palmer and Jack Whitehall in The 'Burbs | Credit: Peacock
All of the mysteries that our ragtag group of neighbors has been haunted by (some for years) have all reached their conclusion. The man who kidnapped Alison (Erica Dasher) has been murdered, Lynn has come clean about her husband, and Dana’s legal troubles are resolved.
While I don’t mind everything being wrapped up so easily and quickly, the kidnapping of Naveen by his love interest is an unsatisfying conclusion to his whole ordeal. This makes it feel like the first season is unfinished as the writers tee up the second season. Though our heroes made progress in solving part of the mystery, it feels as though that progress is undone by the kidnapping of Naveen.
As the credits rolled, I felt dissatisfied, which I hadn’t felt during the entire season of the show. While I appreciate the necessary role that cliffhangers play in television, especially in the season finale, I think this is a case where it felt almost gimmicky, rather than an important and intentional part of the season.
Despite my misgivings about the ending of the season, I will still gladly watch a second season of The ‘Burbs, especially because of Keke Palmer’s charm and charisma, and the fun collection of neighbors that live in the cul-de-sac. I’m curious what hijinks our heroes will get into next and what new nefarious happenings they will discover in the ‘safest town in America.’