Santa Clarita Diet is a Netflix original sitcom that premiered in 2017 and ran for three seasons, blending comedy, horror, and drama. The show revolves around Sheila Hammond, a suburban real estate agent who becomes a zombie, and the hilarious chaos that ensues as she navigates her new lifestyle. Drew Barrymore's iconic portrayal of Sheila, along with Timothy Olyphant's charming performance as her husband Joel, made the show a memorable experience for its audience. This article delves into the character of Sheila Hammond, exploring her transformation, motivations, and relationships within the show.
Sheila's Transformation: From Suburbanite to Zombie
Sheila Hammond begins the series as a perky and upbeat realtor living in Santa Clarita with her husband, Joel, and their daughter, Abby. She is portrayed as somewhat self-conscious, timid, and openly wishes she were more interesting. Her life takes a bizarre turn after she orders a Serbian-imported clam special at a restaurant and contracts severe food poisoning, which turns her into a zombie. This transformation marks a significant shift in her personality and desires.
Before her undeath, Sheila lived an unfulfilled suburban life, dreaming of being bold. After her metamorphosis, she becomes radically different, losing her impulse control and gaining a newfound energy and determination. She starts preaching about living life to the fullest to her friends, encouraging them to embrace their desires and abandon their inhibitions.
The Undead Appetite and Moral Dilemmas
One of the most significant challenges Sheila faces is her insatiable appetite for human flesh. Initially, she and Joel are horrified by this development and struggle to reconcile their moral compass with her need to consume human meat to survive. They attempt to find alternative food sources, but Sheila's body rejects everything except raw meat.
The couple decides to only kill "bad" or "evil" people to satisfy Sheila's hunger while maintaining their moral standards. However, this decision leads to several ethical dilemmas and comedic situations, as they grapple with determining who deserves to be on Sheila's menu. Sheila's impulsiveness often complicates matters, as seen when she spontaneously rips the throat of a road-raging man named Dick.
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Sheila learns that she can't eat undead flesh, as it's not fresh. Joel confronts Dan for getting them to kill innocent people who were his personal enemies, and in the ensuing conversation, Joel kills him with a shovel, prompting a police investigation into his disappearance while Sheila eats Dan's corpse.
Sheila's Relationships and Impact on Others
Sheila's transformation profoundly impacts her relationships with her family and friends. Her marriage with Joel is tested as they navigate the challenges of her undead existence, including the need to find a constant supply of human meat and keep her condition a secret. Despite the difficulties, their love for each other deepens as they support each other through the bizarre circumstances.
Her relationship with her daughter, Abby, also evolves throughout the series. Initially, Abby is portrayed as a snarky and cold teenager who uses her parents' situation as an excuse to misbehave. However, as the series progresses, she becomes more mindful of her family and friends, and develops a close bond with her mother.
Sheila's newfound impulsiveness and desire to help others "follow their bliss" often lead to unexpected consequences. For example, she encourages her friend Lisa to have an affair, and advises Abby to drop out of school. However, she eventually realizes the negative impact of her actions and learns to temper her impulsiveness.
Key Relationships
- Joel Hammond: Sheila's husband and partner in crime. Joel is a nervous but loving husband who tries to keep his family together after Sheila's transformation. He supports her through her struggles and helps her navigate the challenges of her new lifestyle.
- Abby Hammond: Sheila's teenage daughter. Abby is initially portrayed as a rebellious teenager but grows to become a supportive and understanding daughter as the series progresses.
- Lisa Palmer: The feisty and lustful neighbor of the Hammonds and Eric's mother. Lisa becomes involved in the Hammonds' chaotic lives and adds a comedic element to the show.
- Eric Bemis: A nerdy guy aficionado for horror and zombies. The Hammonds accept him among them due to being the most well informed person about zombies they know.
Sheila's Character Development
Throughout the series, Sheila undergoes significant character development. She learns to balance her newfound urges and strengths with her life as a suburban wife and mother. She grapples with the moral implications of her actions and tries to find a way to satisfy her hunger without causing harm to innocent people.
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Sheila also confronts her past insecurities and embraces her newfound confidence and assertiveness. She realizes that she no longer wants to be the shrinking violet she used to be and embraces her identity as an undead realtor.
A late-season twist reveals that Sheila's transformation was caused by eating bad clams. She admits that she thought the clams were bad, but she didn't feel that she could complain for fear that she would sound too critical or bitchy. This revelation highlights Sheila's struggle to stand up for herself before becoming a zombie.
Sheila as a Metaphor
Sheila's transformation into a zombie can be interpreted as a metaphor for personal reinvention and liberation. By becoming undead, she is able to break free from the constraints of her suburban life and embrace her true desires. Her condition allows her to be more present and mindful of the life she wants for herself and those around her.
Sheila's impact
Sheila's impact on the show is undeniable, she is the main character and the one who drives the plot. Her transformation into a zombie sets off a chain of events that affect everyone around her. Her relationships with Joel and Abby are tested, but ultimately strengthened by the challenges they face together. She also has a significant impact on her friends and neighbors, who are drawn into her chaotic world.
Sheila's character is a complex and multifaceted one, she is a loving wife and mother, but also a ruthless killer. She is funny, charming, and sometimes terrifying. She is a unique and memorable character who has captured the hearts of many viewers.
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