Five Reasons You're The Worst is Actually the Best
12:22:00 PM
I recently watched the second season of You're the Worst in anticipation of the new season, which came out yesterday, August 31st.
The show's premise is not unlike Hulu's Difficult People or other FX(X?) shows Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The League. You're the Worst features four terrible, self destructive friends as they get into trouble around Los Angeles. And, while hilarious and charming, the first season of the show did little to distinguish itself from it's sub-genre.
However, the second season of the show delves deeper into these four characters. Some episodes feel more like a drama, although the show rarely sacrifices humor entirely, even when addressing serious issues like depression and PTSD.
Through both seasons of the show however, it became clear that this show is perfect for trash babies everywhere. Here are five reasons why.
1. Day drinking... and night drinking
Every main character is deeply irresponsible in different ways. One thing they have in common is that they all avoid dealing with their problems by drinking, to hilarious results. Jimmy, a writer struggling with his second book, spends his day at the bar, claiming constant drinking is part of his writing process. When Jimmy and Gretchen realize they're becoming a conventional couple, the two go on a week long bender to prove to themselves that they're still irresponsible.The best drinking moments though occur on "Sunday Funday," when the group goes to brunch, drinks (of course) and "[squeezes] every drop of life out of the weekend before Monday."
 |
| The fact that three of them are mostly unemployed doesn't stop them from hating Mondays |
2. All the food
 |
| Enjoying food paid for by some else |
Like with alcohol, none of these characters have a particularly healthy relationship with food. Their laziness when it comes to preparing their food and the ravenous way they devour food cooked by someone else is deeply, embarrassingly relatable. Without Edgar, Jimmy's sweet, freeloading roommate, the other characters would probably starve. Of the four, he is the only one who ever cooks and he is rewarded for his kindness by being constantly taken for granted.
These people are actually the worst.
These people are actually the worst.
No one in the group loves food more than Lindsay, who wires her jaw shut at one point to try to curb her eating. Scenes of her devouring food are hilarious and the fact that she is also allowed to be a sexually desirable, fully human character is pretty nice too.
3. Jimmy and Gretchen
At the core of the show is the growing relationship between Jimmy and Gretchen, two reluctant, commitment-phobes who find themselves falling for each other despite their best efforts. Although the show is focused on their relationship, it avoids common tropes of other relationship driven shows. This unflinchingly honest portrayal of relationships is funny, relatable and refreshing. Don't expect dramatic airport declarations, passionate kisses in the rain or other rom-com moments. Their romantic moments are small moments of acceptance and understanding, shown without fanfare. In the same vein, don't expect the contrived relationship conflicts or a tiring "will they/wont they" plot. The problems these two encounter within a relationship feel real and develop organically. |
| Nothing is less appealing to a neat freak |
4. Just Gretchen in general
Of the four characters, Gretchen is the one I relate to the most as a trash baby. Her disaster-zone of an apartment, her willingness to eat candy off the floor, her cynicism, and her self destructive tendencies are hilarious and sometimes true to life. |
| A true trash baby |
5. And the disaster they leave in their wake
The four protagonists have stolen pets, destroyed property, ruined parties, harassed strangers and almost ruined lives. They are undeniable terrible people but the consequences of their actions are as funny as they are terrible.
What elevates this show is that these characters are developed beyond their flaws so you understand and even root for them, despite their actions. At its core, this show is optimistic about humanity and these deeply flawed characters slowly grow and mature, although every character would be quick to deny that they are.
What elevates this show is that these characters are developed beyond their flaws so you understand and even root for them, despite their actions. At its core, this show is optimistic about humanity and these deeply flawed characters slowly grow and mature, although every character would be quick to deny that they are.
0 comments