Warning! Spoilers for Netflix’s No Good Deed ahead!
The character Margo Starling, portrayed by Linda Cardellini in No Good Deed, is woven into an intricate web of deceit, with her sinister motives centered around the murder of Jacob Morgan. Margo, who is the bothersome neighbor of Paul and Lydia Morgan (Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow), is characterized by her obsession with luxury—expensive handbags, lavish jewelry, and upscale real estate. Despite being married to soap opera star JD Campbell (Luke Wilson), her numerous affairs reveal a pattern of manipulation, suggesting that her actions are part of a larger scheme.
Margo Killed Jacob in No Good Deed, Not Emily
There Were Two Guns on the Scene That Night
Leading up to his demise, Jacob had been involved in a series of home burglaries. When he entered his own residence wearing a ski mask, Emily mistakenly believed he was an intruder and shot at him with the family weapon. To shield Emily from legal consequences while protecting Jacob’s reputation, Paul and Lydia constructed a narrative that suggested a burglar was responsible for Jacob’s death. However, as the plot unfolds, they discover two bullet casings from that fateful night, while only one shot was fired by Emily.
Upon further investigation, including an analysis of the autopsy report, Lydia learns that Jacob was killed with a. 40 caliber gun—distinct from the Morgans’ 9mm firearm. This development implies that Emily’s shot had missed its target. A subsequent flashback reveals the shocking truth: Margo Starling shot Jacob just as he entered his home, simultaneously with Emily’s shot. While the Morgans were unaware of the exact circumstances leading to Jacob’s death, they began to piece together Margo’s troubling history with the young man.
Margo’s Complicated History with Jacob
Margo Had an Affair With & Murdered a Teenage Boy
Early in the series, Lydia expresses her animosity towards Margo, claiming that she dismissed Jacob, who had been providing piano lessons to Lydia’s stepdaughter. However, as the narrative unfolds, it’s revealed that the girl never learned to play because Jacob was secretly meeting with Margo—a concerning revelation given the age difference. Jacob, a teenager, and Margo, an adult, had an inappropriate relationship that hinted at more than just innocent conversations, particularly when Margo’s history of infidelity is taken into account.
It becomes clearer that Jacob’s motives for burglary stemmed from his desire to impress Margo with costly gifts. When Margo abruptly severed ties with him, Jacob attempted to retrieve the lavish stolen items, leading him to break into JD Campbell’s home. After a confrontation, Jacob threatened to expose their affair, prompting Margo to chase him down with her husband’s. 40 caliber gun and fatally shoot him—returning to her life as though nothing had transpired.
Margo’s Identity and Family Background
Luann & Bobby Were Partners in Crime
Margo’s involvement in murdering Jacob is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her secrets. During a pivotal moment, she reveals to Lydia that she lost her brother in a house fire, claiming responsibility for leaving a space heater on. Yet, when JD investigates further, he finds a man named Bobby living in a boat, claiming to be Luann’s brother. This forces a confrontation with the truth: Margo’s real name is Luann, and her brother did not perish as she had stated.
While part of Margo’s story regarding the fire is true—Bobby does bear scars from the flames—it’s clear that her integrity is severely lacking. Ultimately, it is disclosed that Luann and Bobby, having grown up in poverty, resorted to elaborate scams for survival. Margo’s marriage to JD appears to be an attempt to secure a luxurious lifestyle, yet it fits into her broader ambition. As she states, she was engaging in a long-term strategy, which spiraled into maintaining her position by eliminating Jacob before he could jeopardize her elaborate plans.
Why Luann Assumed the Identity of Margo
Luann & Bobby’s Grand Scheme
In a bid for an ideal life, Luann and Bobby orchestrated a meeting by instigating a bomb threat at an airport. Their plan succeeded when Luann, under the guise of Margo, quickly ensnared JD into marrying her. This union provided her with a taste of opulence, allowing her to indulge in extravagant purchases while adorning their home with lavish decor. Meanwhile, Bobby discreetly took residence on the couple’s boat, unbeknownst to JD.
However, Luann’s intentions extended beyond mere luxury. She had a calculated approach: outlasting the terms of their prenuptial agreement. If JD discovered her affair with Jacob, the couple’s marriage could end abruptly, leaving her empty-handed. Instead, she aimed to secure half of JD’s fortune by simply waiting long enough. Ironically, her plan backfired spectacularly; overspending on luxury items led JD to deplete his finances completely. By the series’ conclusion, Margo, embodying the essence of deceit, demanded ownership of their home, but JD retaliated in a twist of fate that ultimately derailed all of her carefully laid plans.
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