Please Like Me

Do not judge this show by the first episode. While I liked the first episode, I can see why most people wouldn't. Josh comes off as very awkward and super unrelatable. However, after watching all the episodes I have to say that the pacing of the show and the development of the characters as the series progressed really made me fall in love with every single aspect of the show. The relationships are all fleshed, slowly but surely, and all the dialogue is just wonderfully delivered. I would definitely implore you to watch at least 3 episodes before you stop because once the characters start coming out of their shells you find them to be funny, real, and beautifully written.

Please Like Me is a very thoughtful dark comedy, and there isn't anything else quite like it. The writing is amazing. From a first glance this show might appear to be about gay life in Australia, and I've read several descriptions of the show that say something like that, but it's just a really funny show about life, generally, with a main character and many side characters who happen to be gay. It can be dark and depressing at times, and sometimes silly, but always very insightful without trying too hard, being pretentious, or going for shock value like so many shows seems to do for a laugh. We could use a lot more shows like this one.

So many successful sitcoms depend on likable buffoons as major characters that one's first impression of "Josh" is that he is just another self-deprecating target for stale jokes about his shortcomings. In this case, the eponymous actor/creator moves well beyond the predictable into a realm of hyper-originality rarely seen in a TV series. Nothing here is predictable. Each scene, each comedic line, each nuance bordering on serious personality issues comes across as going against the grain of laugh track one-liners.

I viewed the first two seasons in quick sequence to determine some thread justifying the title "Please Like Me." There is so much more than that at work here I came to the conclusion that "Josh" intends his imperative to apply to the entire narrative rather than just himself. None of the main characters is one-dimensional. Each one stands alone in all sorts of revealing personal aspects. Attraction of one to another is quickly reversed or brought down to earth before sentimental attachments rear up to spoil the moment.

Of course "Josh" is unerringly annoying. Surrounded by bipolar types and deliberately handsome but flawed lovers he has little choice.

This is a fascinating series, which I hope to be able to follow as it progresses.

I was not immediately drawn in by Please Like Me. It wasn't particularly entertaining or interesting during the first two episodes I had watched by chance when my Netflix account had unlocked the show while traveling in Europe. Once the show was released on Hulu here in the US, I decided to give it another chance.

The characters quickly grow on you. The main character Josh goes from abrasive to endearing. Someone you can relate to and empathize with. The writing of the show has a certain humanization that makes all the characters entirely relateable, even when they are being awful. You hate the ones you're supposed to hate, and love the ones that are flawed. They grow on you; each one in their own way. It wasn't long before I was completely smitten with the characters and couldn't wait to see where they were headed.

The show has a uniqueness and genuineness that comes across on screen because they appear to shoot on location. You can tell they are in a real city, in a real house or flat, or hospital, or restaurant. It adds to the immersion you feel with the characters and their story line.

The tone of the show has a unique voice, and a particular feel of reality as a millennial. The fact that the main character is gay is not overplayed or exacerbated. It's not reminded with fanfare, but simply a vessel that story arcs carry.

Brilliantly acted, highly entertaining. Commit to the first season (series) if you do decide to watch it, as the first couple of episodes may not take right away.

I had no expectations of this show whatsoever and pretty much watched it randomly.. I was pleasantly surprised. I've scored it an 8 based on the 2nd and 3rd season of the show, though I would rate the first season lower, probably a 6, as it takes a while to understand, and like the characters.

Josh, the main character is a recently out gay guy living with his best friend and various others over time. Each one of the main characters is quite complex, yet surprisingly relatable.

While on the surface the show is very whimsical and comical, they have tackled some really difficult issues, such as depression and suicide in an incredible manner - the later episodes are particularly moving.

I think the jokes only gain in strength as it goes along too, while at first I found it a little stilted, many of the episodes have made me laugh out loud.

There are sex scenes, nothing too intimate shown but obviously if you're not cool with gay romance - this is not for you.

Overall, would recommend - could see myself watching this again.