Rec Me Friday: You're The Worst
REC ME FRIDAY: YOU'RE THE WORST
YOU'RE THE WORST | Season 1
Network:
FX
Cast:
Chris Geere, Aya Cash, Desmin Borges, Kether Donohue
Created by:
Stephen Falk
Premise:
Centers on two toxic, self-destructive people who fall in love and attempt a relationship.
Like the premise says,
You're The Worst
is a sitcom about two obnoxiously self-centered people,
Gretchen
and
Jimmy
. Both of them are fully aware of how disastrous they are at romantic relationships but decide to try one together anyway. And as expected, it's a glorified
mess
. It sure makes for some good entertainment though!Gretchen and Jimmy are both selfish, ridiculous, and horrible to other people in different ways but I have to say, I found myself sympathizing with Gretchen a lot more. Something about Aya Cash's performance makes her character endearing even in Gretchen's worst moments. Meanwhile, Jimmy borders on annoying most of the time. The arrogant English asshole shtick has long ceased being charming to me even if he looks like a Swedish vampire.Nonetheless, both Gretchen and Jimmy are hilarious to watch in their obnoxious and loud behavior.
So, how do these two selfish people manage to have a relationship? Well, the whole season is Gretchen and Jimmy's attempt to answer this question in ridiculous ways.When the couple face the idea of becoming exclusive, they decide to respond by trying to trump one another with meaningless one night stands. But my favorite romantic disaster is when Jimmy emotionally opens up to Gretchen and she just can't bring herself to care or even listen. Jimmy responds by doing the same with Gretchen's feelings. Both of them accept that they can't be bothered with 'feelings' for other people and yet, they continue to believe a relationship is a good idea.
On the periphery of Gretchen and Jimmy's enthralling car wreck of a relationship are of course, the best friends for them to confide their troubles in.Gretchen's best friend is
Lindsay
, the housewife struggling with embracing the domestic life. Like Gretchen, Lindsay is hilarious in her own endearingly obnoxious way, Meanwhile, Jimmy's best friend,
Edgar
is probably the most sensitive and caring character of the gang, despite struggling as a veteran with PTSD.I enjoy all of the show's characters but the sidekicks are undoubtedly the most fun to watch.
So, although
You're The Worst
follows the traditional romcom tropes of best friend sidekicks, confusing boyfriend/girlfriend labels, and more, the show's approach to Gretchen and Jimmy's relationship is clearly not conventional. Gretchen and Jimmy are a mess but they try anyway. The obnoxious couple will grow over time and perhaps even get that cliche happy ending but for now, their relationship is very much portrayed as a comic disaster for the audience to enjoy. It's the fun wreck you can't help but love.The show's last two episodes were a little rushed and underdeveloped (probably the chance of not getting renewed) but I'm looking forward to seeing more of these horrible yet lovable characters. I throughly enjoyed the hilarious ride this comedy put me on.