Big happy ending, sometimes not, audience is smile-crying.
The first episode alone functions as a perfect miniature movie, complete with its big confession moment.
ButYoure The Worstis all about what happens after that initial spark has fired into life.
Both Jimmy and Gretchen meet straight after hes attempted to sabotage his ex Beccas wedding.
With both of them in a state of drunken vulnerability, they reach out to each other for support.
By going back to his to bonk the night away.
All the while verbally sparring and declaring their non-interest.
But between bouts of passion they open up to each other in a way theyve never done before.
Its a moment as cheesy as any rom-coms ending.
And by God it works.
Constantly arguing with the owners of his local bookshop and ignoring letters from his dad.
His roommate Edgar, a Gulf War vet, acts as his conscience as well as his personal chef.
And Gretchen is an ex-party girl who fell into becoming a publicist for rapper Sam Dresden.
Both share an equally cynical worldview and nothing is spared from their snarky putdowns.
The foundations of sitcom are built upon flawed characters.
ButYoure The Worstdares to show the human side of its cast in a way thats unique.
In the first season we learn that Jimmy, like every cynic, is a bruised romantic.
And the second season explores depression and its devastating effects on sufferers and their relationships.
One heartbreaking episode in season 2 revolves around Gretchen realising her imagined perfect life isnt so perfect after all.
Even the supporting cast get their moments in the spotlight.
Another former wildchild, shes in a loveless marriage purely for the money.
Starting off carefree, she bemoans how boring shes become so that live a life expected of her.
Its not too long before shes back to her wayward self and it all comes crashing down around her.
The main recurring cast are all uniformly excellent.
Chris Geere is channeling his best Charlie Brooker impression.
Aya Cash really captures Gretchens deep apathy in her performance.
Desmin Borges hits the right balance of Edgars enthusiasm hiding his PTSD.
But its Kether Donohue whos the breakout star for me.
Slight spoilers but her pathos filled performance in the first season finale nearly steals the episode!
Theres also a surprisingly all too real depiction of typical English folk.
Lindsay best sums them up as Alabama English people.
Jimmys dad is played by David Schaal whoInbetweenersfans might recognise as fibber Jays dad.
And hes just as bullish and emotionally crippled here.
Not that Gretchens family is much better.
Coming from a background of privilege, Gretchen also had a hard time pleasing her demanding parents.
And Lindsays relationship with her sister is one giant competition for attention.
One that led to Lindsay getting into a doomed marriage in the first place.
Throughout both seasons,Youre The Worstis equal parts corrosive and poignant.
Balancing each of these elements expertly across each episode and each season as a whole.
Thank Christ for this age of the box set really!
Cynicism is easy, empathy and compassion can be draining.
The formats in good health and this writer hopes that continues to be the case for a while yet.
ButYoure The Worstsucceeds above many others because its inherently more human in its outlook.
Youre The Worstbegins on 5Star in April.
