Im using Flash 8

I have a problem. Im trying to make it so that when my character dies, it goes to a "Game Over" screen which I have made. The only problem is no matter how I change the code it does nothing.
Here is the code:

if (_root.dead) {
this.gotoAndStop("dead");

} else {
speed *= .85;
if (dir == "right" && !_root.leftblock.hitTest(this._x+20, this._y, true)) {
_root.health._x += speed;
_root.score._x += speed;
this._x += speed;
_root._x -= speed;
}
Ok so under the if (_root.dead) part is has the this.gotoAndStop("dead");.
Im not very experienced with actionscript so I tried changing it to gotoAndStop(3); frame 3 on the main timeline being the "Game Over" screen.

It does not work and trying to google something as specific as this to go with my coding failed.

Can anyone help?

Jack