Showtime’s 8-Part Dark Comedy Series Quietly Becomes a Late-Night Favorite 14 Years Later

The likes of Breaking Bad and Narcos have painted a very specific image of a drug dealer in our minds, but over 20 years ago, a Showtime series broke the mold. In 2005, pre-legalization in California, the very thought of a single mother in the suburbs dealing weed wasn't unheard of but still felt outrageous. Of course, the idea isn't as preposterous now, but there's a timelessness toWeeds'ability to blend the criminal underbelly of drug dealing with quirky suburban drama that still feels fun when viewed through a modern lens. With eight hilarious seasons, the show is the perfect way to end your day on a wonderfully absurd note.

Mary-Louise Parker Demands Your Attention in 'Weeds'

After her husband's death, Nancy Botwin (Mary-Louise Parker) starts dealing weed to her local suburban community to support herself and her two sons, Silas (Hunter Parrish) and Shane (Alexander Gould). Juggling her covert business with PTA meetings, her sons' teenage milestones, and general suburban drama leads to an array of hilarious mishaps. From the beginning, Nancy isn't your typical single mother, as she's a little rougher around the edges and couldn't care less about the judgment of the other mothers in the community. But as time goes on, we can't help but root for her as we witness her love for her sons, even if her approach is a little unorthodox.

Parker's performance is what makes Weeds worth watching, as she is just the right amount of charming, resourceful, and brash to keep us entertained. Throughout the seasons, Nancy's motivation shifts from supporting her kids to chasing the adrenaline rush of a particularly dangerous deal or expanding her little empire, but Parker infuses enough warmth and intelligence into the character that we're still on her side. From the conflict she feels when she walks in on her older son losing his virginity to surreptitiously tripping young boys who bully her younger son, her brazen exterior hides a mother who is simply trying to do her best.

The contrast between Nancy's drug-dealing escapades and her approach to motherhood is what makes her character so compelling and is the driving force of the series' dark comedy. As such, the cast of Weeds is essentially split into two: the suburban set and the eclectic dealers. On one side, Nancy hilariously navigates the nosy nature of her neighbor, Celia Hodes (Elizabeth Perkins), leading to a magnetic back and forth of passive-aggressive quips and back-handed compliments between Perkins and Parker. On the other side, Nancy finds unexpected solace in one of her suppliers, Conrad (Romany Malco), who ultimately becomes her partner-in-crime.

'Weeds' Delivers Eight Seasons of Unfettered Dark Comedy

Around Nancy is a host of storylines that feel equally absurd, with a mix of sitcom humor and darker thrills. In Weeds' very first episode, Nancy feels responsible for sharing her stash with someone who sells to children, a dealbreaker for her, and embarks on a bizarre quest that involves peering through binoculars on rooftops. Then, in Season 3, a guest appearance features Snoop Dogg enthusiastically singing about "MILF weed" to promote Nancy and Conrad's business. The episodic plots are wild enough to be fun and flashy romps in a world where drug-dealing is stripped of its seriousness, but there are undertones of sharp observations about the hypocrisies of living in the suburbs.

As Nancy's operation widens its scope and more players join the fray, the seasons become increasingly dark, but Weeds retains the weirdness that makes it so watchable in the first place. It never forgets the duality in Nancy's character, allowing both halves to hold equal weight whenever strange occurrences appear on-screen. With a cast that adds to the wry humor and undercurrents of emotion, Weeds is perfect for any dark comedy fan looking to revisit the nostalgia of a time when it was more outrageous to see a typical L.A. mother selling drugs.

Weeds

Release Date 2005 - 2012-00-00