Take Three: You’re the Worst

You’re the Worst: Season 1, Episode 3 “Keys Open Doors” (B+)

Watching this show, I think I feel some inherent need to defend it, as if it’s set up to be bad and happens to be much better than that, but I need to keep reminding others of its quality. I think that inclination comes from knowing that some of the shows I really like – say “Ben and Kate” or “Welcome to the Family,” for instance – get unceremoniously cancelled and then it turns out that no one else liked them anyway. This show does feature some typical sitcom tropes, like Jimmy following Gretchen after he sees a text message suggesting that she is going on a date, but it’s all done in such an entertaining manner that it’s not problematic or unoriginal. Beginning with Jimmy and Gretchen’s shared fascination over another use of the shower sprayer, this episode explored Gretchen’s offhand remark about getting a key, which prompted Jimmy to go into full-rant mode about the significance of such a gesture. I enjoyed watching Edgar staple the phone into a bag, which of course didn’t keep Jimmy from prying. Gretchen worked some impressive magic with her client’s offended journalist, though that turned out much differently than expected as well. I like that, after Jimmy followed Gretchen and then gave Ty plenty of attitude, she opted to introduce him as the guy she’s sleeping with, prompting a surprisingly warm reception from Lindsay. This episode was truly funny, and I’m glad to see that it’s not getting old and only getting more hilarious as it continues.