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Review: Please Like Me


*Please note that this review is for seasons 1-3, as I have not seen season 4 yet because I can't find it.

 It took me until the series was actually over until I started watching Please Like Me, so I'm very behind the times, what's new.  Luckily, the first three seasons are on Netflix, so I binge-watched them all. Unfortunately, season four is not yet on Netflix and is no longer on iView, and I can't even find it to download, so I guess I'm stuck for awhile. 

 I love this show. It's the type of show that I watch and think, 'Not only do I love watching this, but I am also jealous that I was not somehow involved in making it.'

 It revolves around Josh, who we meet as he gets dumped by his girlfriend Claire, realises that he's gay, and is informed that he has to take care of his mother, who just tried to commit suicide. A lot for any twenty year old to deal with, but Josh seems to take it in his stride. He also has support from his best friend and flatmate Tom, and his well-meaning dad. 

 I think Please Like Me is really important, firstly because it's a great Australian show, which we really need to see more of. Also, because it deals with a lot of important issues such as mental health, homosexuality, abortion, death, drug use, and relationships, but in an organic way. These topics are part of the show as they are part of life, rather than being a statement. So many TV shows will have a token gay character, or a character will have a mental health issue (only to be forgotten about in later episodes), just to make a point. 

We get to know the characters, and they're not just their mental illness, or their sexuality, they are complex and real. We struggle with Josh as he discovers his new-found sexuality, we feel for Tom as he makes poor relationship choices and we come to understand Josh's mum and her fellow hospital residents as they fight their mental health demons.

Despite the fact that some of these topics could take a dark turn, the series is full of humour, and you always come away feeling positive. I feel that it is a realistic take on life, and it is great to feel so connected to a story, even more so when it takes place in your home city.

I highly recommend firing up your Netflix and settling in to watch the first three seasons of Please Like Me, if like me you are incredibly slow at keeping up with current TV shows.

Now, I'm off to hunt for somewhere to watch season 4.


P.S. Can I just ask what the hell is going on with this Netflix description? His suicidal mom? MOM? I'm sorry, Australian Netflix, you need to get your shit together.


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