One of my favorite shows of 2014 was one of the truly underrated series in years, FXX’s You’re the Worst. The show is centered on Jimmy (Chris Geere) and Gretchen (Aya Cash), both equally terrible in forming healthy, adult relationships, romantic and otherwise. One night they meet, and against both of their default settings to run in the opposite direction of monogamy, begin to fall for one another. Cash makes for a winsome leading lady, hilarious while equally nuanced when Gretchen’s mentality is further explored, and Gere is strong as an atypical romantic leading man. The cast all across the board is superb, with supporting cast members Kether Donohue as Lindsay and Desmin Borges as Edgar bringing heart and humor to the already strong show.
The show is cynical without being mean-spirited and cares about its characters, even when the characters in question are doing terrible things. Despite being declared as “the worst,” Jimmy and Gretchen are both oddly lovable, and show runner Stephen Falk has made sure that their depictions are never gratuitous, simply human. The show breaks typical sitcom narrative nature and makes the two leads get together (in a certain manner) in the first episode. There’s never a question of if they’re going to get together, but how they’re going to stay that way, and season one certainly makes you question how these two dysfunctional individuals could possibly make it last.
It’s a testament to the writing and performances that even while you question it lasting, you hope it does.
You’re the Worst returns September, and it should be one of your most highly anticipated shows of the fall. Mixing biting humor with genuinely sweet romance, the series is one of the smartest and funniest shows on television right now. I’ve missed Jimmy and Gretchen, and I can’t wait to see what they’re up to next. Take a look at the two teasers below, which perfectly showcase why these two go so well together, along with the tone of the series.
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