Feel Good

Wow. I really don't know what to say. Well let's start with the fact that this was the worst series I have watched this year.

Apparently it's a comedy as the main character is a stand-up comedian and CONSTANTLY joking. Most of the times it was okay. But it started to get annoying when even the more serious scenes had a lot of joking around. Overall I didn't like at all how the serious topics were handled. Maybe I'm just too serious but I want to see at least a bit of hard emotions when the subject matter requires them.

The acting felt forced and the cutting of the scenes didn't give much help as it was very quick and pointy if you know what I mean. Everything was happening way too fast. The reveals and hints were obvious and dropped on your face as heavily as an elephant. The interactions between the characters lacked chemistry and felt awkward most of the time.

I felt very frustrated with the characters and their decisions and actions. Some of them were so absurd that I found myself thinking that people in real life wouldn't act that way.

One thing I found good was the representation this series gives to minorities. I learned more about what everyday life feels like when you're transgender. And I have to say it started to get better towards the end of the season. It still wasn't good though...

I want to like this show. And I'm trying. But there are quite a few stumbling blocks in the way and I guess the biggest one is that I get zero chemistry between the two main characters. Absolutely none. And if you don't have that, you can't believe they would go through all they are going through. Beyond that I am finding the acting to often be mediocre and their rapid fire dialogue is sometimes hard to follow. I am a bit more than halfway through the episodes and while mildly intrigued where this is going and how it will end, still I am contemplating not continuing. I watch tv to be entertained and this show is just not cutting it on on several levels.

I was happily surprised when I heard that there was going to be a show like this. A story involving a sexually fluid comedian would never have been told ten years ago, but times have changed since then. Mae Martin plays herself essentially since it is based off of her life. In interviews she has stated that this was her life about ten years ago.

The series focuses on her romance with George (Charlotte Ritchie), who has predominantly been straight for her entire life. As a result of being straight her whole life, she keeps it a secret that she is dating Mae from her horrible friend Binky (Ophelia Lovibond). That is not the only problem however. Both rely on one another far too much and have intense separation anxiety when apart.

Mae sees her relationship with George as an addiction. For years, Mae was addicted to all forms of narcotics. The writing is superb for effectively showing how Mae is dependent on George. Not only is the writing excellent at showing Mae's addiction to George, but how an addict also obsesses over one object or person. This was educational for me because I never thought addictions as trading one addiction for another. Another fascinating plot device was that Mae gets ringing in her ears when confronted with narcotics. Overall, the writing was phenomenal.

The series also shows the impact of addiction. Mae's parents are played by Lisa Kudrow and Adrian Lukis. There is a love there, but it is strained because of Mae's past activities. Episode 4 is very heartbreaking because their relationship is explored, but it is an amazing episode and full of several different emotions.

The show is absolutely hilarious too. Mae is super funny and loving with George. Another source of comedy is George's roommate Phil (Phil Burgers) who is from California and is completely zany.

Lastly, I am most pleased with the representation. There are stories about straight white men and women frequently with little variety. Recently, I am happy that has changed. Shows like Ramy and Fleabag have changed that. I hope to see stories like these become a commodity in the future. I definitely suggest this show to watch, it is absolutely amazing!!!

This show is intense and lovely, the jokes and the drama feels so real. It's very emotional and sweet and very much relatable to everyone. The fact that is in located in England with the sprinkles of that typical British humor makes it even more interesting.

I think it's a must watch.

There's a bit of a spate of quasi-biography comedian-as-themselves type drama/comedies on British TV in the last few years but Mae Martin's brittle and razor sharp tale of rehabilitation, relapse and relationships is by far and away the most painful and beautiful of all of them. Aided by a remarkably strong support cast (Charlotte Ritchie is spellbinding here particularly - and you keenly miss Sophie Thompson in the second series) but all oscillating around a mesmerically layered performance from Martin. Feel Good can really genuinely hurt you but there's a powerful strength to it to. Deeply underrated and not to be ignored.