Warning: The following article contains significant spoilers for Peacock’s Laid!
The first season of Laid features a grisly yet comedic narrative, with a total of 21 deaths that oscillate between shocking and absurd, enriching Ruby’s harrowing experience with humor. This dark comedy series, boasting an impressive 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating, is an adaptation of the Australian show of the same title. It chronicles the life of Ruby Yao, a 33-year-old woman who discovers that her former lovers are dying in the sequence of their romantic encounters. Alongside her best friend AJ, Ruby ventures to unravel the mystery of the deaths and forewarns potential victims.
As Ruby navigates her tumultuous love life and a rising body count, the duo works tirelessly to track each casualty, updating their makeshift board that records details including each individual’s cause of death. By the end of the season, only three of Ruby’s past partners remain alive.
14
David, Ruby’s First Sexual Partner
Before Laid Season 1, Episode 1, “Brandon From College”
Ruby’s initial sexual encounter was with her high school sweetheart, David. Although he never appears on screen, David is fondly remembered by Ruby as one of her more positive exes, characterized by his sweetness, and their breakup’s specifics elude her memory. Notably, their relationship included amusing voicemail exchanges where Ruby impersonated various celebrities.
Tragically, Ruby learns through a phone conversation that David has succumbed to sepsis. This startling news, revealed in the closing moments of Laid season 1, episode 1, clarifies that he died before Brandon, leading AJ to deduce the chilling pattern of Ruby’s deceased exes.
12
Brandon Rafferty From College
Laid Season 1, Episode 1, “Brandon From College”
Among the first losses that Ruby faces is her ex-college boyfriend, Brandon Rafferty. Initially, she struggles to recall him but remembers that he was notorious for his humorous and awkward qualities during their time together, such as his habit of farting during intercourse, which earned him the nickname “Farty Scorsese.”To their surprise, Ruby and AJ discover at Brandon’s funeral that he had been a virgin during their entanglement and harbored deep feelings for Ruby, even naming his dog after her.
Despite their yearning for clarity, AJ and Ruby remain baffled over the true nature of his demise, with only a vague suspicion that Brandon may have met his end by gunfire.
11
Jeffrey, Brandon’s Best Friend
Laid Season 1, Episode 1, “Brandon From College”
At Brandon’s memorial, Ruby encounters Jeffrey, his best friend, with whom she also shares a past. Their reunion is marred by tension, culminating in an argument sparked by Ruby’s rejected advances. Jeffrey chastises Ruby for allegedly damaging his friendship with Brandon, despite being the first to pursue her. In a fit of anger, he leaves their Uber, only to tragically be struck by a passing vehicle, resulting in a particularly gruesome death that establishes the show’s tone.
10
Michael Schloss
Laid Season 1, Episode 2, “FB To The T”
While many of Ruby’s exes are featured throughout the show, the character Michael Schloss remains a tragic mystery. Not much detail about his connection with Ruby is disclosed on the timeline. He lived from 1987 to 2024, passing away at the age of 37. During a discussion with detectives regarding potential stalkers, Ruby reveals that Michael succumbed to anorexia, suggesting that someone could have exploited this vulnerability for foul play. His death gains attention when someone using his social media account engages with Ruby’s posts.
9
Robert, The Man Ruby Thought She’d Marry
Laid Season 1, Episode 2, “FB To The T”
Among all her romantic connections, Ruby profoundly mourns two of her exes, with Robert standing out as the one she envisioned marrying. Despite their breakup discussion being vague, it is evident that Ruby feels deep regret over their severed ties. In a painful turn of events, Ruby attends his wedding unaccompanied and confronts him about their past. His harsh words about her selfishness propel Ruby into a downward spiral, driving her to bed Zack, AJ’s on-and-off partner.
The narrative progresses when AJ overhears Robert’s chilling announcement about his lymphoma diagnosis, confirming Ruby’s worst fears regarding his fate.
8
Stu Jackward, The Baseball Player
Laid Season 1, Episode 2, “FB To The T”
Ruby recounts her first significant adult relationship with baseball player Stu Jackward. Their whirlwind romance includes a memorable date that led to Ruby’s first orgasm. Unfortunately, viewers witness his tragic demise live during a baseball game when he is struck by a foul ball, providing a darkly humorous juxtaposition as the game mascot obliviously entertains the crowd amidst the chaos.
7
Ruby’s Sex Cluster (Simon, João, Philipe & Jordana, Chuck, Corbin the Clown, Lug, Pete the Bartender, and Brian Glidewell)
Laid Season 1, Episode 3, “Sex Cluster”
The third episode revolves around Ruby’s brief relationships with a collection of partners she dubs her “sex cluster,”including a finance bro and a clown, among others. The episode maps out the deaths tied to this group, shown in a detailed table:
|
Characters |
Method of Death |
|---|---|
|
Simon |
Car crash |
|
John |
Chainsaw to the chest |
|
Philippe and Jordana |
Sauna Malfunction |
|
Chuck |
Rock climbing accident |
|
Corbin the Clown |
Heart attack |
|
Lucas/Lug |
Colon blowout in a burpees bootcamp |
|
Pete the Bartender |
Unknown |
|
Brian Glidewell |
“Glided well into the afterlife” |
Determined to prevent more deaths, Ruby and AJ attempt to warn the cluster’s members. Yet, most dismiss her claims as overreactions, leaving only Richie to take the situation seriously.
6
John Early, A Gay Comedian/Actor
Laid Season 1, Episode 4, “Flagstaff”
The series features a fictionalized portrayal of the openly gay actor John Early, whom Ruby encounters at a barbecue during the pandemic. Their connection takes a humorous turn as they hook up post-drinking, both donning masks in an amusing twist. Ruby urgently tries to warn John about the deaths linked to her romantic past, but he is dispirited by the futile warning, opting to board a flight to Flagstaff for business. Tragically, he becomes the show’s only casualty of a plane crash.
5
Caleb, The Bank Teller
Laid Season 1, Episode 5, “Secret Soft”
Ruby’s urgent attempts at saving Caleb, a bank teller she meets during a chance encounter at the bank, culminate in heartbreak. They reminisce about their early interactions over drinks and a notable bathroom rendezvous. Subsequently, a shooting unfolds at the bank where Caleb loses his life, deepening Ruby’s sorrow as suspicion of her involvement looms.
4
Aubrey, Ruby’s “One Who Got Away”
Laid Season 1, Episode 6, “More Handsome Than Joe”
Another ex who captures Ruby’s heart is Aubrey La Binga, described as her “one who got away.”In a poignant moment at Aubrey’s tattoo studio, Ruby hesitantly attempts to disclose the impending danger to Aubrey but lacks the courage. Instead, she seeks to connect further through a tattoo session, which evokes reflections on their relationship. However, in a shocking twist, Aubrey is unintentionally shot during their candid conversation, resulting in a tragic bloodbath that impacts Ruby deeply.
3
Marcus, The Chocolatorium Waiter
Laid Season 1, Episode 7, “Toby & Lindsey Are”
Marcus, who works at Chuckaboo’s Chocolatorium, is introduced as another recent fling for Ruby. Though their encounter is brief and minimally discussed, Ruby learns through a friend that Marcus tragically perishes while fleeing from a fire that engulfs his workplace.
2
The Brett Heely Trio
Laid Season 1, Episode 8, “The Sex Monster”
Ruby’s adventures continue with a musical group known as the Brett Heely Trio, which she hires for an event. The series culminates in a dramatic scene where Ruby, AJ, and Isaac witness the trio meet untimely ends during a performance. The deaths unfold in a comical yet grim manner: one suffers an allergic reaction to shrimp, another is electrocuted, and the last succumbs to a falling chandelier, exemplifying the show’s signature blend of humor and horror.
1
“Bad Sex Spotify Ads”Jason
Laid Season 1, Episode 8, “The Sex Monster”
Closing the series is Jason, a man Ruby dates briefly. They share three dates before entering an awkward sexual encounter characterized by a slew of intrusive Spotify ads and peculiar rhythms, leading her to mockingly label him “Bad Sex Spotify Ads Jason.” Just when Ruby believes the hex has lifted, she is devastated to find out that Jason meets his fate during a disastrous fall at the zoo, hinting at the continuing peril surrounding Ruby and her remaining acquaintances. As season 1 ends, the future of Zack and Isaac looms ominously.
As of January 3, 2024, a second season of Laid has yet to be confirmed.
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