How to Die Alone

[Natasha Rothwell's] first solo effort as a creator, is skillfully crafted, anchoring important themes and conversations in comedic musings. The humor in the show is almost shockingly authentic. Mel says ugly things to herself and others, but these jabs are woven impeccably into hilarious one-liners. .... The series is also beautifully relatable and introspective.

Cliffhanger endings are a defining trait of streaming series, so this is not the worst sin, especially since the prevailing feeling of “How to Die Alone” is of wanting more.

All in all, watching “How to Die Alone ” is a pleasurable experience. Melissa is easy to root for, and the show’s light play with genre makes it feel unique.

At its core, it’s about how loving yourself goes hand-in-hand with the power of community. It’s not a stretch to say How to Die Alone is one of the most joyful, honest, and hopeful shows of the year. It’s also the type of heartwarming series we could use more of now and always. May it go on for many more seasons.

Thankfully, How to Die Alone doesn’t present a management-training program as her ticket to happiness, or even to self-actualization. Instead, the series spends considerable time exploring the unexpected sources of support around Mel, and nudging her to invest in the people who have always seen more in her.

Mel is a great friend. She’s smart, funny and has a great personality but her insecurities lead to bad choices that make “How to Die Alone” less fun and enjoyable than it could be.

Hulu’s How to Die Alone is a dark comedy that is perhaps a little too dark.