As a fellow human being who has also found herself down the rabbit hole of ex-curiosity, I can wholeheartedly relate to Joanne’s fixation with Rebecca. It’s an intriguing conundrum – we want to know more about our partner’s past, yet sometimes it feels like peeking into forbidden territory. We all have that one person from our past who still lingers in our thoughts, even if we swear we’ve moved on (…or not).
The Netflix romantic comedy series Nobody Wants This was created by Erin Foster, based loosely on her real life romance. The show centers on Joanne, an unlucky-in-love agnostic sex podcaster played by Kristen Bell, who finds herself falling for Noah, a nice, charming, unconventional Rabbi played by Adam Brody.
It seems that nearly everyone was eagerly anticipating this series, as it garnered over 10.3 million views in just the first four days of its streaming debut. Swiftly climbing the charts to become a massive success, the popular character from Fleabag, the hot priest, has been dethroned by the arrival of the charismatic rabbi, who is set to make a return for a confirmed second season. Here are some explanations as to why this show struck such a chord with so many viewers.
10 The Reality of Modern Dating
The story begins as Joanne abruptly ends a date due to the man’s emotional reaction over his grandmother’s death when he was 12 years old. Her irritation is evident when he inquires about her absence, revealing that she left him alone at the table. This incident serves to illustrate just how dismal dating has become.
It’s Hard Out There
Discuss with any individual aged between 30 and 40 who is currently dating, and they will attest to the challenges they face. Dating can be a daunting experience, I must say. Going through photos in search of signs of emotional baggage or past traumas is draining, not to mention trying to determine if someone is worth the effort of picking out an outfit for. It leaves us all feeling disillusioned and ready to flee, and this show captures that sentiment perfectly.
9 The God Factor
The show subtly integrates religious themes without focusing solely on religion. Indeed, Noah is a rabbi and delivers sermons, yet he’s more than just his profession. It’s an intriguing aspect, the relationship between an agnostic individual and a rabbi – a significant factor in their tumultuous romance – but it’s not the only element that defines their relationship. Instead, it forms part of a larger, complex tapestry of events unfolding in their storyline.
You Gotta Have Faith
There are five things people want to know before swiping left or right: age, height, location, job, and religion. Of course, there are some honorable mentions, but this is the main squad. Religion can be a huge dealbreaker in relationships, so it was nice to finally see a show that displayed that as a factor at all.
8 Joanne and Morgan
In “Nobody Wants This”, the most profound romantic tale might be the dynamic between Joanne and her divorced sibling Morgan, played by Justine Lupe. These two are inseparable friends who run an uncensored, sex-positive podcast. However, when Joanne begins dating Noah, her bond with Morgan undergoes significant strain.
Soulmates
As you grow older and remain unattached, friendships can sometimes evolve into something akin to dating. You become aware of each other’s plans, providing support whenever needed, even serving as emergency contacts. Friends often assume an essential role in your life, their opinions and validation carrying more weight than you might openly acknowledge. Morgan and Joanne navigate the complex territory between love and dislike, and their dynamic is remarkably true to life.
7 Esther’s Disinterest in Joanne
Sasha Roklov, portrayed by Timothy Simons, is Noah’s easygoing, frequently intoxicated brother. He’s married to Esther (played by Jackie Tohn), who used to be Noah’s ex-girlfriend’s best friend. As Noah pursues Joanne, Esther initially shuns, avoids, and dislikes Joanne until she finds herself in a tight spot at a basketball game with alcohol.
Girl Code
It’s admirable how steadfast Esther is in her friendship. Seeing someone attempt to replace a person you hold dear can be an uneasy experience. It feels like an intruder invading your personal space. Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising that Esther dislikes Joanne, as their situation seems genuine. If I were in Esther’s shoes, I would probably feel the same way about Joanne too.
6 Dysfunctional Family Syndrome
Joanne’s parents have parted ways, but they still mark their separation anniversary by dining out together annually. However, it appears that Joanne’s mother is struggling with this situation. On the other hand, her father has started dating a man he met on Grindr. Morgan perceives that Joanne is adjusting herself to fit Noah, making her seem less interesting. The rest of Noah’s family, apart from his brother, are not particularly welcoming to him dating someone outside the Jewish community. Essentially, it seems like Noah and Joanne face adversity together.
Welcome to Crazytown
Regardless of whether it’s beneficial or detrimental, family often comes with the deal, frequently showing overly protective tendencies and seeking out any hint of vulnerability. The clamor surrounding relationships can be overwhelming. If you’ve ever been in a relationship, you’re aware that people seem to think they have a right to an opinion about it and feel compelled to share it with you. Joanne and Noah, we understand your predicament.
5 Joanne’s Desire to Be Liked
By tomorrow, I must manage to earn their affection, as it matters significantly to me to gain the approval of Noah’s friends and family. Joanne places a great emphasis on this endeavor and diligently sets out to charm each person individually – even the seemingly difficult case, Esther.
Miss Congeniality
In a new romance, it’s only normal to desire approval from your partner’s loved ones – unless you happen to be a sociopath. It’s just human nature to want to become part of their world and gain their acceptance. By the way, if there’s any confusion, prosciutto is indeed pork meat. A little knowledge goes a long way!
4 Imperfect Relationships
Joanne and Noah experience numerous highs and lows, driven mainly by fear, insecurity, and unhealthy patterns. However, luckily for Joanne, Noah possesses excellent communication abilities, and he encourages her to address all issues, including when she wants to avoid the discussion. The series presents a common, imperfect relationship as healthy, offering a fresh and unique perspective.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
It’s not common to find perfect people or relationships in real life, but love means accepting each other’s flaws. Unfortunately, many movies and TV shows portray relationships as either overly idealized or unhealthy excessively. What’s missing is more realistic, healthy depictions of relationships that don’t constantly teeter on the edge of collapse. Interestingly enough, such portrayals can be entertaining to watch and very relatable.
3 Joanne’s Obsession With Rebecca
Joanne openly acknowledges that she has an intense fascination with Rebecca, Noah’s former girlfriend who is portrayed by Emily Arlook. She constantly inquires about her from Noah and when he can’t satisfy her curiosity, she resorts to following Rebecca on Instagram (even though Rebecca doesn’t have an account). This leads Joanne to believe that Rebecca is a self-reliant woman who doesn’t crave validation – a behavior Joanne finds quite unnerving. In other words, she sees Rebecca as a rather cold individual.
The Ex-Factor
If you’ve never found yourself pondering your partner’s past relationships, you might just be telling tales. It’s human nature to be curious about someone’s history. After all, it offers a glimpse into who they once were and how they see themselves in the context of their relationship with you. While such curiosity can sometimes cloud judgment, we’ve all taken a peek down that rabbit hole from time to time. Joanne embodies our shared experiences.
2 The Inevitable Ick
In a different phrase, when Noah encounters Joanne’s family, he awkwardly attempts to win them over by donning a formal jacket over his casual sweater and carrying an oversized bouquet of sunflowers. Fortunately for Noah, he manages the seemingly unachievable, sidesteps a potential breakup disaster, and bounces back.
No Going Back
In my experience, finding oneself entangled in a situation similar to Chinese handcuffs, much like Morgan describes, can be quite challenging. The more one struggles to free oneself, the harder it becomes to break away. Often, there’s no turning back, which is why many relationships never truly take flight. Instead, seek someone who manages you with grace and understanding, just as Joanna did for me. It makes all the difference.
1 Joanne’s Biggest Fear
In a particularly compelling episode of the season, Noah inquires about Joanne’s deepest fears. Unable to express herself openly, she reveals her apprehension by facing away from him: “I might grow emotionally attached to a man who, at some point, will come to see me as too much and shatter my heart.” A torrent of tears would be fitting here.
These Are My Confessions
As a movie buff, I can truly connect with Joanne’s apprehension about not being good enough – it’s an emotion that feels strikingly familiar when you’re treading the unfamiliar waters of a new relationship. Yet, what I admire most about Joanne is her courage to reveal her quirks and peculiarities. If someone chooses to stay, they might just turn out to be a keeper.
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2024-10-23 06:32