It becomes increasingly difficult to romanticize autumn as the colorful leaves slowly turn brittle, a constant reminder that winter is approaching. But the changing scenery also hints that winter break is inching ever closer, and the anticipation of relaxing, reuniting with friends from home, and reconnecting with family members radiates all across campus. The holiday season is thrilling, but it can also be a stressful time: while bringing everyone together over a delicious meal can be meaningful, it can also unintentionally bring up family tensions and uncomfortable conversations. While it may feel easier to shy away from these uncomfortable interactions, the lighthearted romantic comedy Nobody Wants This reminds us that sometimes it's best to approach them head–on.
The show follows Joanne (Kristen Bell), an agnostic sex podcast host who meets the newly–single Noah (Adam Brody) at a dinner party hosted by a mutual friend. The two immediately hit it off, and it becomes extremely obvious that they have unmistakable chemistry. What Joanne doesn’t know, but eventually learns, is that her new prospect is a rabbi. Noah and Joanne learn to navigate their relationship together, resolving insecurities surrounding exes, meeting the parents, and dealing with the series’ prevailing issue of their religious differences.
The first couple of episodes set the scene for the rest of the series and show that both characters have room to grow: Joanne worries that she’ll scare her partner away if she’s honest about her emotions, while Noah blames communication issues for the end of his relationship with his ex–girlfriend Rebecca (Emily Arlook). With all this baggage, the two struggle to open up to one another, but their budding connection seems to take precedence: they share their biggest fears with one another after their very first date. Despite all of the growth we see them go through, outside pressures and religious differences eventually tear the couple apart. Noah asks Joanne if she would consider converting to Judaism, but her conversion would be under a strict timeline, as Noah was also offered a promotion to Head Rabbi. Thus, the couple temporarily breaks up. But in an exciting and romantic final moment, Noah runs after Joanne. Noah realizes that although their relationship will be complicated, it is absolutely worth it. But because they are so eager to jump back into the relationship, they push their previous disagreements under the rug.
Season 2 picks up where the two left off, with the same issue—Joanne’s conversion to Judaism—causing problems. While Joanne thinks that she and Noah agreed that she would not convert to Judaism at all, Noah thought that Joanne would eventually convert on her own timeline. As the two try to take the next steps in their relationship—moving in together, merging friend groups, supporting one another through career changes—all of their previous attempts to avoid conflict bubble to the surface during a piping hot game that tests how well the couple knows each other. Doubts arise, and they find themselves in almost the same position as in the first season, wherein they both realize there aren’t many solutions for their situation and end up breaking up after a series of arguments. But just like before, the two experience a change in their perspectives: Noah realizes that there may not be a simple resolution to their differences, but is determined to figure out how to navigate their problems together. Joanne, who spends the entire season contemplating her religious beliefs, realizes that she is ready to convert to Judaism after all.
It’s easy to blame their breakups on the arguments that precede them, especially when the media we consume often portrays communication as the enemy. But Nobody Wants This in fact proves why disagreement is necessary for any relationship. Within the overarching storyline of communication and healthy relationships, the show also acknowledges the outside influences that can sometimes tear people apart. Joanne’s sister Morgan (Justine Lupe) sees this from the start; she acknowledges that there seems to be a lot that the two avoid talking about in an effort to preserve their honeymoon phase. It’s an understandable fear. But it’s the arguments in this show that open Joanne and Noah up to important relationship milestones. This can be seen in situations as low–stakes as the episode “Valentine’s Day,” where Joanne finally works up the courage to tell Noah that she is upset about how their Valentine’s Day played out because she just wanted him to be himself. On the other hand, arguments become more serious in the episode “Crossroads,” where a couple’s party game uncovers Noah’s true feelings about moving in with Joanne after he had not been open about it before.
The show’s analysis isn’t limited to romantic relationships, either. Season 2 focuses heavily on the dynamic between Noah’s brother, Sasha (Timothy Simons) and his wife, Esther (Jackie Tohn). As the pair attempts to work through their marital difficulties, there is a specific moment in Episode 10, “When Noah Met Joanne” when they realize where the problem lies—while Sasha is working to save their marriage, Esther believes that she needs to rediscover who she is before she can fully show up in their relationship. However, it is only after they have multiple conversations about their situation that they can grasp how they are feeling and decide that it may be best to separate for a while. In this case, honesty is what breaks apart the relationship between Esther and Sasha, but honesty in itself is not the problem. Being open just helps the two highlight problems within their relationship and gives them a chance to solve their conflicts before they come to resent each other.
It’s clear throughout the series that Joanne and Noah are learning from their experiences and mistakes, but they fail sometimes. And that’s what a romantic comedy should really be about: a couple finding their footing and growing together, not being drawn apart by bad habits from the past. However, it also shows that sometimes conflicts between couples, friends, and family members stem from things that are out of their control, and it’s more important in these cases that they try to work towards solving their problems together. So, for the college students who will be making their way back home this holiday season, those who are fearful of conflicts that stem from awkward and difficult discussions, here's a piece of advice: Letting them happen might just bring everyone closer together in the end.
