This is a story recap of the Netflix series Dead to Me season 3, which contains spoilers — we detail what happened.
It has been a long wait for another season of Dead to Me. First, there was the Covid-19 pandemic. Then, star Christina Applegate was diagnosed with the chronic autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. However, the Netflix show returns to the streaming waves this month with season 3. While the show needed to kick off some rust during the first couple of episodes, the season is as darkly funny, sharp, and surprising as ever.
Story Recap – what happened in Dead to Me season 3?
Episode 1 – “We’ve Been Here Before”
Jen and Judy survive the hit-and-run caused by Ben’s drunk driving. Ben doesn’t remember, nor do the girls know he was the driver behind the wheel. A dog walker finds Steve’s body, and Jen is accidentally told Judy’s scans reveal possible cancerous masses.
Episode 2 – “We Need to Talk”
Jen juggles two lies in this episode. One, she tells Charlie Judy rails his father Ted to avoid telling him Judy rails his father, Ted. Does that make sense? Jen also tells them that she burnt Steve’s car because of the Greek Mafia to avoid telling Judy she killed Steve. Ben begins to have flashbacks of the hit-and-run that injured Judy and Jen. He also contemplates his conversation with his twin brother about his alcoholism. He leaves the wooden bird at the bar that Jen used to kill Steve with, that Henry gave him to make him feel better. The police officer Nate confiscated the toy, not realizing what he had in his hands.
Episode 3 – “Look at What We Have Here”
Garret Dillahunt returns as Glenn, the FBI agent assigned to Steve’s murder case. Nate returns the bird to Ben the following day. He then repairs it and gives it to Jen as a gift to Henry for the kind gesture. The girls then burn the evidence and toss it in the garbage, with Glenn watching down to the street in his car.
Episode 4 – “Where Do We Go Now”
Ben admits to Jen that he was the one who hit her while driving drunk. Why? Because he had just found out Steve’s body was found. Of course, we find out Ben hardly needs an excuse to drink. Ben anticipates that Jen will want him to leave and never forgive him. Jen, however, grabs Ben and kisses him.
Episode 5 – “We Didn’t Think This Through”
Judy comes clean to Jen. She has cancer and needs help. Why did Judy keep her cancer diagnosis from Jen? Simple, she didn’t want to be a burden. Jen’s response? She tells her off and says she wants to help because Judy is her heart. Ben goes to Nate at the station and asks for help with his alcoholism. Nate then asks Ben where he got the bird and he tells him from Henry, Jen’s son. The following day, the kitchen ceiling caves on top of the kitchen island. A clear metaphor for the rest of the season.
Episode 6 – “We’re Gonna Beat This Thing”
The episode ends with the most shocking revelation of the season. After doing some of Judy’s shrooms, Jen has Charlie drive her to the hospital for treatment. Once there, she is told she is pregnant. Yes, Jen is going to have Ben’s child.
Episode 7 – “Can We Be Honest”
Ben is out of rehab and visits Jen at her home to make amends for his alcoholism. She never tells Ben she is pregnant, letting him go, as he tells them he is heading north. However, another shocking revelation happens when Judy tells Ben that he was in the backseat of the car that night when Judy hit Ted with it. Ben goes to Jen’s house to apologize for his role in the incident. (Ben was drunk and caused the situation to be stressful that night). However, the episode ends with Ben being arrested for the drunk hit and run, with Perez finally doing her job.
Episode 8 – “We’ll Find a Way”
FBI agent Glenn Moranis is back to investigate the murder of Steve and the DNA on his body. After questioning Judy and Jen, he leaves, but Karen shows her neighbor new footage from her security camera. Glenn went into Jen’s trash bin and took a water bottle. We assume to test Jen’s DNA against the one they found on the victim.
Episode 9 – “We’re Almost Out of Time”
Judy has terminal cancer and goes to Nate, who claims she was the one who murdered Steve. However, Jen convinces him to give her three weeks because Jen was able to get her into a cancer trial. But there is good news. Well, not for FBI agent Glenn Moranis. He was murdered in his motel room. Perez found the body and took his files, effectively covering up Jen’s part in Steve’s murder. Now Nate can allow Judy to walk away.
Episode 10 – “We’ve Reached the End”
The series ends with Judy sailing off into the sunset as she has chosen to die on her terms. Jen goes back and has her daughter. She has named her Joey. The final scene has Jen telling Ben she has to say something to him. We can only assume she will spill the beans about her killing Steve.
That’s the story recap of what happened in Dead to Me season 3. What are your thoughts on the story? Please comment below.
