Welcome to the Wild World of “Servant”: A Darkly Humorous Tale of Nanny Shenanigans
Picture this: you’re a wealthy couple in Philadelphia, and your life is turned upside down after a tragic loss. What do you do? Why, you hire a mysterious nanny to care for a lifelike doll that you treat like a real baby! I mean, who wouldn’t? Welcome to the bizarre and delightfully twisted world of “Servant,” where sanity takes a backseat and the plot twists come faster than a Texas tornado.
Our story kicks off with Dorothy (played by the ever-so-charming Lauren Ambrose), a news anchor with a penchant for drama, and her husband Sean (Toby Kebbell), a chef whose culinary skills are overshadowed by his emotional ineptitude. After the tragic death of their infant son, they decide to cope in the most logical way possible: by treating a doll named Jericho as if it were their actual child. Because nothing says “healthy grieving” like pretending a doll is your kid!
Enter Leanne (Nell Tiger Free), the enigmatic nanny who seems to have wandered in from another dimension—or a particularly creepy episode of “The Twilight Zone.” She’s got an eerie calmness about her, mingled with a sprinkle of cult-like vibes. As soon as she steps into their home, you know things are about to get weird. And spoiler alert: they do.
Now, let’s talk about the real MVP of this show: the doll. Jericho is treated with more care and affection than most real babies, which raises the question: is this a commentary on parenting, or are we just witnessing the decline of sanity in real-time? Either way, it’s a wild ride.
As the series unfolds, we’re treated to a deliciously dark buffet of suspense, family secrets, and a dash of supernatural shenanigans. The plot thickens like Sean’s gravy when we learn that Leanne isn’t just a regular nanny; she’s got some serious supernatural connections. Picture a mix of “The Sixth Sense” and “Mary Poppins,” but with less singing and more existential dread.
Throughout the series, we’re introduced to a cavalcade of characters, including Julian (Rupert Grint), Sean’s snarky brother who’s always ready with a quip and a bottle of wine. Julian’s skepticism towards the whole doll situation is the audience’s voice, and he often finds himself caught in the crossfire of the couple’s increasingly bizarre dynamics. His reactions are priceless and serve as a much-needed comic relief in this otherwise dark narrative.
Things reach a boiling point when the doll’s “reality” takes a turn for the sinister. Without giving too much away (okay, who are we kidding? Spoilers ahead!), let’s just say that Leanne’s background is more tangled than a Texas tumbleweed. We discover that she has ties to a cult that worships the supernatural, and her presence in the household unleashes a chain of events that would make even the bravest heart skip a beat.
As the series progresses, the lines between reality and delusion blur, leaving us all wondering if we’re watching a psychological thriller or a bizarre family drama. The tension escalates, and just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, the show throws a curveball that’ll leave you questioning everything—like whether you should ever hire a nanny again.
In the end, “Servant” is a wild, rollercoaster ride through grief, denial, and the absurdity of life. It challenges our perceptions of love and loss and leaves us wondering if we’re all just a little bit like Dorothy, clinging to our own versions of Jericho in a world that doesn’t make sense. So grab your favorite drink and settle in for a binge-watch because this show is a wild ride you won’t want to miss!
And remember, if you ever consider hiring a nanny, maybe just stick to the traditional route—no dolls allowed!