A luxurious cruise loses its allure when a passenger is unexpectedly harpooned in the premiere episode of Death and Other Details.
Crafted by Mike Weiss and Heidi Cole McAdams, the series begins two decades prior. The "world's greatest detective," Rufus Coteworth (Mandy Patinkin), makes his way to the Collier estate to talk to a then-10-year-old Imogene Scott (Sophia Reid-Gantzert) regarding her mother's dubious demise. Fast-forwarding to the present, the storyline propels us as Imogene (Violett Beane), now 28, disembarks at a Mediterranean port, ready to board the opulent cruise liner SS Varuna.
Embraced by the Colliers following her mother's tragic murder, Imogene joins the festivities to commemorate patriarch Lawrence's (David Marshall Grant) retirement and witness her best friend Anna's (Lauren Patten) ascent to CEO of Collier Mills, the family's textile company.
On this charter, accompanying Imogene are matriarch Katherine (Jayne Atkinson), Anna's delicate wife Lelia (Pardis Seremi), and Anna's turbulent brother Tripp (Jack Cutmore-Scott). Other notable attendees include the governor of Washington (Tamberla Perry), the affluent Chun family, courted by Anna for a billion-dollar deal, and the disgraced Rufus, now employed as the Chun family's personal security guard.
The anticipated lavish celebration takes an unexpected turn when a guest is murdered, thrusting Imogene into the spotlight as the prime suspect. To clear her name, she begrudgingly partners with Rufus, a figure she has despised since childhood. As the detective's personal story unfolds, it becomes evident that he harbors personal motivations for solving the crime.
As it unfolds, it's revealed that Keith Trubitsky is not the person he claimed to be for the Colliers; he is actually Rufus's assistant Danny, operating incognito. Contrary to the initial impression of him providing security for a fellow business magnate on the cruise, Rufus's true purpose on the ship is to delve into the Colliers' affairs and conclusively solve the mystery surrounding Imogene's mother.
Rather than following a conventional whodunnit plot, the narrative unfolds across two timelines, intricately weaving together the stories of Imogene, Rufus, and the enigmatic secrets of the Collier family. This unique setup adds layers of complexity to the mystery.
The compelling two-episode premiere ensures you're hooked for the entirety of the journey, eager to uncover the identity of Danny's killer and the hidden secrets harbored by the guests. However, the voyage is not without its challenges.
The narrative, at times, feels disjointed, as it navigates between the present-day events and Rufus's probe into the death of Imogene's mother, introducing additional layers of complexity with sporadic flashbacks from different timelines, contributing to moments of confusion.
In summary, the show has ample potential for expansion. With eight additional episodes ahead, there is ample opportunity for growth while concurrently unraveling the existing mystery.
Although it may not possess the rapid humor of the Knives Out franchise or the biting social commentary of The White Lotus, Death and Other Details presents a fresh puzzle that will undoubtedly pique your curiosity and leave you eager to uncover its secrets.
