Why ‘The Rehearsal’ Season 2 Is Crushing ‘The Last of Us’ as HBO’s Best Show in 2025

by

As we’ve reached the five-month mark in the year 2025, television has truly shone, boasting exceptional seasons like The Last of Us Season 2, Severance Season 2, Andor Season 2, White Lotus Season 3, The Righteous Gemstones’ final season, The Studio Season 1, and Adolescence. However impressive these series may be, it is important to note that the standout show of 2025 is none other than The Rehearsal Season 2.

Introduced on HBO in July 2022, “The Rehearsal” is a documentary series featuring Nathan Fielder. The show employs sets and actors to reenact real-life scenarios for individuals preparing for challenging conversations or life situations. However, the straightforward description of its premise barely hints at the true nature of “The Rehearsal,” as the series in its first season veers unexpectedly into an entirely distinct topic.

As a movie enthusiast, I must confess that Season 2 surpasses my expectations by leaps and bounds. What initially appears as Fielder’s quest for aviation safety transforms into something much grander, almost indescribable. This series is so captivating, it leaves you questioning whether words can truly do it justice. After the third episode of Season 2, I find myself debating its place among the greatest shows ever aired on television.

‘The Rehearsal’ Is an Absurdist Masterpiece You Aren’t Ready For

Watching The Rehearsal weekly is similar to unraveling an enigma, as viewers can’t predict what they’ll encounter. In the second episode of its second season, for instance, Fielder portrayed Paramount Germany’s offices as a disguised Nazi military base during World War II, using SS uniforms adorned with the Paramount+ logo on their sleeves. This unexpected transformation occurred following the removal of an episode from Nathan For You, which was alleged to be anti-Semitic, despite being designed to promote Holocaust awareness. With each new episode, anything goes – you might think a couple cloning their deceased dog is strange, but in this series, it’s often the least bizarre thing!

In the third episode named “Pilot’s Code,” Fielder decides to undergo an unusual experiment in which he mimics the personality of renowned pilot Sully Sullenberger. This experiment involves him re-living Sully’s life, starting from his infancy and culminating in the 2009 emergency landing on the Hudson River. In a bizarre twist, Fielder shaves completely, dresses in a diaper, and is handled by a large, intimidating marionette puppet representing his mother. The scene takes an even more unusual turn as Fielder is depicted struggling to swallow milk while being breastfed by the puppet. If you haven’t watched this episode, it might sound absurd or exaggerated, but trust us, it actually unfolds this way, and it gets more intriguing (and entertaining).

The story reaches its peak when, portraying an older Sully, Fielder experiences a phase in his life marked by intense passion for music after the iPod’s release. Fielder speculates that perhaps Sully was playing “Bring Me to Life” by Evanescence, one of his favorite bands, during the Hudson landing, as the 23 seconds of silence on the recording coincide with the length of the chorus of “Bring Me to Life.

In a somewhat hilarious yet convincing turn of events, Fielder’s proposition in the episode leaves you chuckling… but it also feels oddly plausible. Even if it isn’t accurate, you can’t help but wish for its truth. As you laugh at the concept, you find yourself leaning forward when Fielder realizes it. When the music starts booming, it becomes an exhilarating moment that seems to fill in a missing piece from Clint Eastwood’s 2016 film “Sully”, and even outshines the 2003 “Daredevil” as the ultimate media representation of “Bring Me to Life”. After watching “The Rehearsal”, viewers can’t help but feel that Evanescence and “Bring Me to Life” will never be the same.

‘The Rehearsal’ Is a Show About Anxiety

In the initial presentation of “The Rehearsal,” it bore a resemblance to Fielder’s previous work, “Nathan For You,” where Fielder would comically assist others in unconventional ways. The concept of rehearsing for life’s crucial moments was seen as potentially humorous. However, as Season 1 unfolded, it became apparent that this wasn’t just a comedy; it had a subtler, darker tone. In Season 2, the premise is further developed, with the idea of rehearsing life serving as an investigation into coping with anxiety. The beginning of Season 2, focusing on airline safety, shifts towards teaching co-pilots to handle uncomfortable situations with their peers and speak up, addressing the apprehension associated with such scenarios.

In the second episode of Season 2 titled “Star Potential,” while gazing at the Paramount+ staff members who subtly represent Nazis (a rather peculiar and bold visual choice), Fielder discusses his apparent difficulties in forming genuine emotional bonds with others, a struggle that resonates with numerous individuals dealing with anxiety or any other form of neurodivergence. Fielder expresses this challenge as follows:

[Fielder] talks about his challenges in connecting deeply with people on an emotional level, something many people with anxiety or neurodivergent conditions can relate to.

As a passionate individual, I’ve often pondered about the notion that sincerity is unduly valued. It seems to unfairly penalize those who may not possess the same skill in expressing it as others. You see, some people are naturally gifted performers, their talent enabling them to persuade effortlessly and make others believe they’re more than just a statistic. However, for many of us, regardless of our genuine intentions, authenticity remains an uphill battle.

The Rehearsal primarily functions as a comedy series, yet creator Fielder emphasizes that he aims for more than mere amusement. Occasionally, it can be challenging to garner serious attention when one is predominantly known for telling jokes. Fielder illustrates this concept masterfully through the image of an actual clown, stranded under a vehicle, pleading for aid, only to find people laughing until they understand it wasn’t a joke… in fact, everything – from the clown to the bystanders – was part of Fielder’s rehearsal.

Through The Rehearsal, Fielder aims to accomplish what he initially intended, impacting and transforming lives, regardless of whether the concluding episodes don’t address the pilot safety crisis directly. It is hinted that Fielder might not succeed in resolving the pilot safety issue, as evidenced by the numerous plane crashes reported since Trump dismissed the Transportation Security Administration heads. However, the series serves as a catalyst for change and personal growth. Beneath its eccentric visuals, extravagant costumes, and cringe-worthy moments lies a show focused on self-understanding and empathy.

Why ‘The Rehearsal’ Flies Under the Radar

Although The Rehearsal broadcasts on HBO, airing right after The Last of Us, one might expect it to be a more prominent series. However, despite being an exceptional viewing experience for those who tune in, it doesn’t seem to resonate as deeply with the cultural consciousness as The Last of Us or other hit shows have this year. A glance at Twitter and BlueSky reveals a variety of real-time reactions to the show’s unusual events, but its impact on popular culture remains relatively modest compared to other series in 2022.

It could be stated that a docu-series such as “The Rehearsal” poses more challenges to maintain audience interest compared to a traditional dramatic series like “The Last of Us” or “White Lotus”. However, this doesn’t prevent documentaries like “Tiger King” and Discovery’s “Quiet on Set” from drawing substantial viewership and media coverage.

It’s possible that “The Rehearsal” may not appeal to everyone, which is perfectly fine. At times, it can be an unsettling series to watch due to its intense nature. For many viewers, it might simply prove too intense. With a unique flavor reminiscent of Fielder’s creative genius, this series is one that only he could produce. Remarkably, Fielder has managed to persuade HBO and David Zaslav, a well-known budget-conscious figure in Hollywood, to invest millions into constructing intricate sets for Fielder to stage absurd situations, resulting in humor and what appears to be a form of immersive therapy.

Currently, there isn’t anything quite like “The Rehearsal” airing on TV. I really hope HBO continues to fund the series, as it provides both uproarious laughter and deeply moving moments. While “The Last of Us” is a big hit for HBO right now, in my opinion, it serves as an opening act for “The Rehearsal”. You can stream “The Rehearsal” on Max.

Read More

2025-05-11 23:32