Mixed Reactions to Erin Foster’s Nobody Wants This
Upon the release of Erin Foster’s Netflix rom-com, Nobody Wants This, last year, I evaluated it through a personal lens: its value to the Jewish community. My response was a nuanced “Yes.” The first season, featuring Rabbi Noah (played by Adam Brody) who falls for a non-Jewish podcaster, Joanne (Kristen Bell), blended humor and romantic tension with serious discussions on interfaith relationships and Judaism. I found this representation valuable, especially in a TV landscape where religious themes, particularly related to Judaism, are rare.
Character Critique
However, I raised concerns regarding the portrayal of Jewish female characters, particularly Tovah Feldshuh’s Bina and Jackie Tohn’s Esther. Their depictions left me questioning why Joanne and her sister Morgan’s (Justine Lupe) ignorance about Jewish culture often felt like playful antisemitism.
Overall Quality of the Show
Was the show good overall? My verdict was again mixed. The chemistry between Bell and Brody played a crucial role in the show’s appeal, helping it navigate predictable rom-com clichés. The supporting cast, particularly Timothy Simons, Lupe, and Tohn, contributed significantly, elevating underdeveloped roles, although I grappled with whether charming performances could justify playing into potential antisemitic tropes.
Popularity and Second Season Insights
The show emerged as a success, garnering Golden Globe and Emmy nominations and highlighting Hollywood’s demand for well-crafted rom-coms. The second season prompts the question of why romantic comedies often adopt procedural elements, as seen in shows like Moonlighting and Bones, which help avoid repetition by providing characters with additional narratives outside of romance.
Changes in Dynamics
While the second season of Nobody Wants This maintains some creativity, its charm has lessened. The new creative team attempts to address character issues from the first season, but the lead characters, Brody and Bell, end up rehashing past uncertainties, which diminishes their chemistry and overall allure. The story picks up shortly after the first season, with Noah and Joanne navigating their living situation and ongoing conversations about Joanne’s hesitance to convert to Judaism, alongside various subplots involving other characters.
New Plot Developments and Challenges
This season introduces shifts such as characters like Esther stepping away from traditional roles, allowing for more playful interactions without villainizing them. As higher stakes emerge in Noah and Joanne’s relationship, Noah’s character transforms into a smarmier figure, complicating viewer sympathies and muddling Joanne’s established portrayal. The narrative’s exploration of Judaism continues but becomes less consistent in its treatment, shifting from a focus on religion to broader themes, though the absence of key characters from the first season is notable.
Final Thoughts
Despite providing moments of sweetness between Brody and Bell, the sizzling chemistry that once characterized their relationship feels absent in the new season. As the characters confront similar challenges to those in the first season, the stakes seem diminished. With the potential for a third season, there remains hope that the show will find its footing, especially in balancing character development and its exploration of Jewish culture.
