When you're served a buffet of television shows aiming to tackle romance, many deviate towards fairy tales or pure fantasy. But in 2016, along strolled ‘Love’, a series created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust, and Lesley Arfin, aiming to unwrap the raw and uncut essence of relationships. Premiered on Netflix and set in Los Angeles, ‘Love’ spans over three seasons, boldly laying out the authentic and often awkward dynamics of dating. The series tells the intertwined stories of Gus (played by Paul Rust) and Mickey (Gillian Jacobs), two characters who scream anything but typical.
Now, here's where it gets interesting. ‘Love’ doesn’t shy away from highlighting the imperfections of human beings, dangerously veering away from the liberal ethos of romanticized perfection. The characters, especially Mickey, are deeply flawed – but they aren't eager to reform into model citizens. Instead, they meander through life's messiness with genuine struggles, often leaving viewers squirming at the recognizable truths of their own imperfections.
Gus and Mickey Are Refreshingly Imperfect – Let's face it, a deluge of TV characters are sanitized versions of reality. Society has often pushed unrealistic parodies of ‘woke’ perfection. But not here. Gus isn't the swift-talking, self-assured alpha male being pushed in mainstream television. He's the typical, sometimes socially awkward nerd who, despite harboring genuine intentions, can't help but exhibit unattractive traits. Mickey is no princess on a pedestal, as she's knee-deep in personal chaos and has an affinity for poor decisions. They echo true-life complexities, giving a raw portrayal that's overdue.
A Critique of Millennial Pop Culture – The series doesn't shy away from poking subtle fun at Millennial culture. Mickey grapples with commitment while Gus harbors frustrations that point to contemporary youthful clumsiness. ‘Love’ mixes a nuanced rip of Hollywood's mock portrayal of ‘advanced’ notions while siding with more traditional narrative conflicts.
Where’s the Sugar Coat? – Unlike other series that drown in moral lessons, ‘Love’ isn’t pushing a polished agenda. Yes, it explores modern love, but it doesn't preach that self-awareness automatically cures personal dysfunction. The series bets on a straightforward approach, emphasizing that tackling life's hurdles isn't always accompanied by profound realizations or tidy redemption arcs.
More Grit, Less Dreamland – Cute coffee shop meetings and grand romantic gestures make brief appearances. But the true guts of ‘Love’ lie in its offering of gritty, everyday reality as its playground. Think mundane arguments about ketchup proportions on a hotdog rather than impromptu trips to Paris—a refreshing antidote to the syrupy feel-good shows crowding the market.
A Stirring Character Development – Watch Mickey battle with addiction and Gus wrestle with brewing insecurities and see how they foster an evolution that's hard-earned. While many narratives leap over complex journeys, ‘Love’ takes the scenic route of complicated personal metamorphoses, albeit with messy layovers.
Bats an Eyelash at Cancel Culture – The glorious, unabashed honesty is precisely what sets it apart. Characters sometimes say the wrong things or make ethically dubious decisions without being axed mid-season. It—itself—delivers a hammer blow to the hypersensitive nature of modern storytelling.
The Setting Isn’t Just Background – Los Angeles plays a significant character in its own right, contributing to plotlines and breathing life into the narrative. It’s not glazed over as a mere postcard—it's messy, sprawling, and imbued with elements that evoke conflicting desires.
Breaking the Mold of Storytelling – Predictable storytelling? Hard pass here. ‘Love’ on Netflix uses a sequence of ups and downs uncontrolled by epic cliffhangers or formulaic resolutions. It harnesses the unpredictable ebb and flow of life instead of wrapping everything in a neat bow.
Risky Themes and Real Discussions – The show successfully toes the line, portraying themes that matter, including addiction, failure, compromise, and the never-ending quest for happiness. ‘Love’ addresses them without bending knee to sanitized narratives, bringing forth refreshing dialogue.
Intriguing Touches of Comedy – Beyond its rollercoaster of emotions, ‘Love’ intricately interweaves humor. It’s exhibited without ostentatious frills or staid punchlines, maintaining comedic build-up without upsetting the series' grounded nature.
Stepping away from boundless optimism and character arcs illuminating sudden enlightenments, ‘Love’ (TV Series) offers a wake-up call for television eager to take real dives into the uneven terrains of relationships. It urges a well-needed shift from the overt narratives where everything circles back to the impeccable resin of perfection most TV melodramas perpetuate. And maybe, as audiences tire from convoluted social commentaries that distort authentic storytelling, ‘Love’ might just be the model shaking up the system, as everyone’s had their fair share of Hollywood-style romances. **