In the fifth installment of "No Good Deed," entitled "Off the Market," the Morgan family's plunge into turmoil intensifies as Margo's obsessive quest for the Morgan's Los Feliz abode propels her into a spiraling cascade of manipulative deeds, jeopardizing the fragile threads binding Paul and Lydia's marriage.
Margo's machinations escalate to unprecedented heights, her determination to seize the Morgan property burning brighter than ever. Her web of deceit unfurls with each lie spun with such unwavering conviction that it becomes almost impossible to discern whether she herself is ensnared in her own illusion. This episode delves into the depths of Margo's desperation, where she resorts to slashing the Morgans' car tires as a desperate ploy to coerce an invitation into their home, where she stages a birthday celebration—a mere sham to gain access to the Morgan house keys.
The episode kicks off with a jaw-dropping revelation: Paul has confined his brother Mikey behind a wall, a revelation that stirs an eerie calm within the Morgan household, an unsettling lack of distress. While Paul rationalizes his actions as a strategy to coerce Mikey into surrendering evidence pertaining to Jacob's demise, Lydia's eerie acquiescence chills to the bone. The couple's indifferent stance towards their hostage situation raises poignant questions about their moral fiber and the true nature of their characters prior to their son's tragic fate.
The Morgan marriage begins to buckle under the strain of their circumstances. Paul's overt disdain for Lydia is palpable, as he scorns and taunts her for her reluctance to sell the house. In retaliation, Lydia confronts Paul about his feelings, querying the very essence of their love. The tension between them stands in stark juxtaposition to the forced joviality emanating from Margo and JD, underscoring the crumbling foundation of trust and intimacy within the Morgan relationship.
Margo's birthday celebration emerges as a pivotal scene in the episode, where she cleverly manipulates Paul's desire to dominate Lydia, luring him into the hot tub. There, she unleashes her enchanting charm with a thick layer of seduction. The ensuing flirtation becomes a litmus test for Paul's loyalty and a vivid exhibition of Margo's prowess in deciphering and exploiting situations to her benefit. When the boundaries are breached, Paul's discomfort is palpable, and his withdrawal from Margo's advances marks a moment of stark clarity amidst the tumultuous festivities.
Inside, Lydia bears the brunt of JD's quirks, offering a surreal interlude within the episode. JD's attempt to emulate Elton John on the piano for Lydia is nothing short of embarrassing, yet his heartfelt confession about the night Jacob passed away brings a rare flicker of vulnerability to the forefront. JD's guilt over failing to confront the robber and his relief at not resorting to his gun to thwart the intruder weave a complex emotional tapestry that enriches the episode's narrative.
Margo's cunning manipulations appear to have taken root in Paul, who returns home with a fresh lens through which he views the impending house sale. In a rare display of compassion, he grants Lydia the agency to decide which offer they should accept, acknowledging the weighty ramifications of their choice. Their rekindled romance, however, is abruptly halted by the unexpected arrival of Nate, Mikey's son, who is on a mission to find his father—a direct outcome of Paul's earlier text.
The episode is intertwined with various subplots, among them Leslie and Sarah's fascination with true crime, which draws them into Phyllis and her dossier on the Morgans. Their discovery of a video that seemingly captures Lydia assaulting Mikey, coupled with the firearm Leslie witnessed Paul conceal, casts a damning shadow over the Morgans. Meanwhile, JD's lamentations about his family's culinary traditions and Leslie's text from Greg introduce a grimacing humor to the narrative.
"Off the Market" stands as a testament to the show's prowess in delving into the depths of manipulation and the delicacy of marital bonds. As the Morgans steer through the perilous currents of their circumstances, the audience is left to contemplate the true price of their actions and the potential for redemption in a world shrouded in deceit.
