Stephen Falk’s FXX underrated comedy “You’re the Worst,” which ran from 2014 to 2019, is a rom-com at coronary heart … and it’s additionally raunchy, imply, deeply unusual, and even off-putting at instances. It’s a present the place the central couple, Gretchen Cutler and Jimmy Shive-Overly — Aya Money and Chris Geere in roles they have been seemingly born to play — first meet at a marriage the place Jimmy simply bought kicked out and Gretchen is stealing a present. Each of their characters are established of their very first interplay. Gretchen asks Jimmy for a cigarette, and he’s irritated as a result of they’re “costly.” The incredulous but brazen method Money seems at Geere in response is the blueprint for Gretchen and Jimmy’s dynamic going ahead.
The 2 go on to hook up that night time, establishing an embittered relationship round which all the sequence orbits for the next 5 seasons till the present ended 5 years in the past on April 3, 2019. Gretchen and Jimmy — surrounded by their respective greatest associates Lindsay Jillian (Kether Donohue) and Edgar Quintero (Desmin Borges), who’re simply as messy and insupportable because the central duo — break up, get again collectively, have an limitless variety of screaming fights, get engaged, get un-engaged, plan their wedding ceremony, and cancel their wedding ceremony.
Despite the fact that “You’re the Worst” hits main rom-com milestones via its run, it additionally tackled genuinely powerful matters akin to abortion and psychological well being struggles, but it surely approached these taboos in refreshingly actual, stunningly sincere methods. The strongest episodes of the sequence (like Season 2’s “LCD Soundsystem”) meld darkish humor and actual empathy, whilst viewers see the characters typically out of their depth in tips on how to assist.
In the event you’ve by no means watched, now could be the time. “You’re the Worst” was universally adored by critics all through its run — not one of the 5 seasons’ Rotten Tomatoes scores dip under 90 p.c, and it was named certainly one of IndieWire’s greatest exhibits of the last decade. Money and Geere each bought respectable profession bumps after it ended but it surely feels just like the chatter has light. Regardless of the occasional podcast point out, it seems like there’s a dearth of “You’re the Worst” response GIFs circulating on social media, and other people don’t actually talk about rewatching it … although all the sequence is available on Hulu similar to a lot of its contemporaries.
It’s attention-grabbing that the present’s frank method to psychological well being and reasonable conversations concerning the very matter aren’t extra related now, in an age the place persons are seemingly extra open than ever about situations like despair and PTSD. Will Gen Z, a era that appears refreshingly sincere about psychological well being, probably revive “You’re the Worst” and unfold clips of it throughout TikTok? Perhaps again in 2014 — and even in 2019 — the present’s sincere messaging about psychological well being was merely forward of its time and perceived as “too darkish,” however are we lastly able to have conversations about Gretchen’s despair and the best way Jimmy merely tries to “repair” it with out truly listening to her?
Perhaps the more durable features of “You’re the Worst” have made potential viewers hesitant — because it’s typically laborious to binge-watch when sure episodes or moments really feel like a complete intestine punch. As wonderful because the “LCD Soundsystem” episode is, you cease laughing as quickly because the digicam focuses on Gretchen’s agonized face earlier than it fades to black, watching her burst into upset tears whereas Jimmy obliviously yammers away subsequent to her.
It’s very doable you’ve by no means even heard of this present. Whereas critics cherished it, it wasn’t precisely a blockbuster; you attempt naming an FXX present not named “It’s All the time Sunny in Philadelphia” or “Archer.” Irrespective of. 5 years after its finale “Pancakes” aired, we are able to safely say the present is value your time as a brand new binge. “You’re the Worst” richly deserves its second within the solar after half a decade of being largely neglected and forgotten. Popular culture usually comes full circle, so let’s carry Jimmy and Gretchen again round and bask of their worst impulses, grossest conduct, and surprisingly sympathetic moments. In spite of everything, aren’t we all type of the worst?
All 5 seasons of “You’re the Worst” can be found to stream on Hulu.