“Bravely seek out joy, even when it’s hard.”
This is one of the many great lines from the second season of Netflix’s Nobody Wants This, and I’ve been sitting with it for a few days. I think we could all stand to sit with this instruction.
This Adam Brody/Kristen Bell romcom is named rather ironically, considering that the viewing public both wants and needs shows like this.
Besides the belly laughs and wonderfully scripted forays into profundity, Nobody Wants This is also a terrific study of human beings when they are trying to do their best, and frequently falling on their face.
The central plotline continues to revolve around cute rabbi Noah (Brody) and his podcaster girlfriend Joanne (Bell), who may or may not convert to Judaism as their relationship deepens and the career pressure on Noah ramps up. If you’ve ever fallen for a devoted member of another faith, you may recognize the strain these characters must navigate, not to mention the amount of outside opposition to the relationship.
As much sympathy as Joanne’s character elicits from me – I too have been the so-called infidel temptress in my time – I also love the way this show portrays her flaws, not to mention the utter insanity of her family. Joanne’s podcast co-host, Morgan (wonderfully played by Justine Lupe), is an absolute liability, for example, in ways that are both hilarious and heartbreaking.
The show threads a fine line in not taking sides – sure, Noah’s mom Bina (Tovah Feldshuh, in a role that was absolutely made for her) can be a little harsh in advancing her own agenda for her beloved son, but at the same time, who can blame her? At least Bina knows exactly who she is and what she wants – and is a complete style icon – while Joanne is brittle.
At the same time, who can blame Joanne for being brittle either? Her mom is a space cadet, and her dad, a newly out gay man, is a narcissist, even if a cheerful one. Joanne hasn’t had much luck in love until Noah came along, and was content to be a romantic disaster alongside Morgan. And Morgan’s loneliness is that much more apparent once Joanne falls for Noah in spite of their roadblocks in their way.
The thing about a good romantic comedy is that it’s always bound to have its villains and embarrassing situations.
But a great romantic comedy allows for nuance and depth.
There is a reason why Morgan is frequently intent on sabotaging herself and everyone around her. There is a reason why Noah’s sister-in-law, Esther (another perfect casting choice in Jackie Tohn), can seem mean and unsparing. This is a show that likes its characters, and thus gives them room to evolve.
It’s great to have a show that lifts the curtain on Insta-culture – there’s a reason Nobody Wants This is set in sunny Los Angeles – but doesn’t seek to loudly condemn or tear down the human beings who are enmeshed in it
Love is not a shampoo commercial. It’s not a perfect Instagram photo. In a world taken over by social media, where many of us now define ourselves as a product that we must constantly sell to our subscribers, it’s great to have a show that lifts the curtain on Insta-culture – there’s a reason Nobody Wants This is set in sunny Los Angeles – but doesn’t seek to loudly condemn or tear down the human beings who are enmeshed in it, whether they have a choice or not.
It’s very easy to be cruel on television. Joanne’s character in particular would be tempting to draw as caricature, especially next to the more spiritual and intrinsically kind, if a little goofy, Noah.
But Joanne’s lingering hurt from her past, going all the way to her childhood, is very well integrated into her caustic humor and her blunt way of expressing herself.
It’s not like you have to relate to this girl either, you can just appreciate her for who she is – smart, funny, sexy, wounded, all while exploring the possibilities of faith and greater communion with others.
It would similarly have been easy to cast Noah is a mama’s boy who just wants to keep everyone happy – but Noah’s struggles with his career this season, and his struggles with what it means to be a good boyfriend in his own eyes, let alone Joanne’s eyes, are too deftly drawn and executed for all that.
Independence can be hard when you love a bunch of people with problems, and when you’re also trying to love yourself, with all of your problems.
Nobody Wants This reminds us that yes, it is actually courageous to want to be kind, to connect with people around you on a deeper level, and to be able to laugh at yourself all at once. When it’s funny, it’s hilarious, and when it’s sad, it’s capable of cutting deep. That’s great writing. Netflix viewers remain hooked – and they damn well should be.