Dead Boy Detectives - First Episode

Dead Boy Detectives reminds you that series can also be fun without everything becoming too convoluted. It took a while, but here it is finally: the Dead Boy Detectives series. What started as a so-called 'back door pilot' in the HBO Max series Doom Patrol has since last week turned into a full-fledged Netflix series. It was initially intended that this series would also appear on the HBO streamer, but that did not happen. So they finally found their home at Netflix. And not entirely coincidentally. The Dead Boy Detectives were first seen in the 1990s The Sandman comic books. A comic series that Netflix recently also transformed into a TV series. This makes Dead Boy Detectives a child of both Doom Patrol and The Sandman; and you notice that somewhat in the tone.

If it's good, and it's fun to watch, then that's fine, right?

In this (sort of spin-off) series we follow two young men who solve supernatural mysteries. A special thing: both of them are no longer alive. The two boys separately decided to stay on earth as spirits and have been together for thirty years. The pair consists of Edwin Paine, a Victorian young man who died in 1916, and Charles Rowland, he died in 1989. Both are played by relatively new actors, by George Rexstrew and Jayden Revri (Fate: The Winx Saga) respectively. In the first episode, the boys meet a medium named Crystal Palace (played by Kassius Nelson, White Lines). Crystal and the boys' paths become intertwined and it looks like the duo has now become a trio.

The connection with Netflix's The Sandman adaptation is immediately clear. Even before the first intro starts playing, we already see a familiar face. After the detectives have solved a case, Death comes to pick up the victim. Death is also played here by Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Why Women Kill). It also immediately becomes clear that what the boys are doing is not the intention. After all, they have to hide from Death.



In addition to the three main characters and this nice cameo from Death, Briana Cuoco (The Flight Attendant), Ruth Connell (Supernatural), Yuyu Kitamura (Expats) and Jenn Lyon (Claws) play a larger role in the series. There are also roles for Lukas Gage (The White Lotus), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Max Jenkins (Dead To Me). So far everyone is doing a good job. Sometimes a bit over the top, but that's okay. That fits the series.

After watching the first episode of Dead Boy Detectives, the conclusion is that this will be a very fun series. I don't expect the highest quality work ever, but that's not necessary. If it's good, and it's fun to watch, then that's fine, right? Dead Boy Detectives has the humor of Doom Patrol, and the mystery and secrecy of The Sandman. In addition, there is a wonderful queer undertone (or perhaps overtones judging by some other reviews, but I haven't gotten that far yet). I had a great time with this first episode and will continue watching soon, that's for sure.

This episode gets a 7.5 from me!