Pride Month 2020: Judy Hale from 'Dead to Me' is a lover of people and souls, not genders
Spoilers for Netflix's 'Dead to Me'
This Pride Month, we are looking at characters on television who created a positive impact on the conversations surrounding LGBTQ+ issues in the country — characters who brought to the fore new and existing stories from the community.
One character who fits this best is Judy Hale, Linda Cardellini's character from 'Dead to Me'. A true gem of a person, she has a difficult time when it comes to relationships — particularly her marriage and the following back-and-forth with Steve Woods (James Marsden). Throughout Season 1, her deteriorating relationship with Steve is depicted with often heartwrenching exchanges between them.
Netflix's 'Dead to Me' is a show of a lot of twists and turns. A thrilling ride that is part murder mystery and part murder coverup, 'Dead to Me' is also a thoroughly hilarious ride that never ceases to amaze with its two lead actors Christina Applegate and Linda Cardellini. In Season 2, among the surprises on the show is one that we never saw coming, but one that was done out well.
Judy meets Michelle (Natalie Morales), a chef, for the first time at work when she is admitting her mother in the old-age home. There is an immediate spark between the two and it takes them no time to bond. Judy is a lover of people and souls, not genders. The day that they first met, together they spend some time in the old car smoking a joint or two, talking about music and going to get some taco. And just like that, coy smiles and glances were exchanged.
Interestingly, throughout the series, Judy's relationship or herself aren't labelled. In Season 1, Judy was with Steve and then briefly dated Nick Prager (Brandon Scott). After these relationships go downhill, she meets a woman, likes her and then dates her. That's about it — as simple as that.
This was important to creator Liz Feldman, who never intended to offer any specifics since it was necessary to show that there are people who do not bifurcate when dating. "I think sometimes labels really help us; I'm happy and proud to define myself as a lesbian. It describes who I am and what kind of relationships I will be in in my life and what my marriage is. But at this moment that we're living in, I know so many people for whom it just is what it is. You love who you love, you're attracted to who you're attracted to," she was reported saying.
Although their relationship is not explored in its entirety by the time Season 2 came to an end, we are hopeful that the upcoming installment, whenever it is that it will be made possible, explores them together further.
For Judy, it hardly matters. Even when she comes out to her friend Jen, she doesn't make a big deal about the gender of her new love interest. And this depicts precisely what love means for Judy — fluid, simple and easy.
Both seasons of 'Dead to Me' are currently streaming on Netflix.