When Nobody Wants This came out oh so many months ago, nobody anticipated how much it would blow up. With a hint of nostalgia and a fresh romantic story just in time for the big comeback of the rom-coms, the show blew up not only because of its great story and dialogue but also because of the stars who took center stage. Specifically, Gilmore Girls’ Adam Brody, who found himself freshly in the spotlight thanks to the hot Jewish rabbi he plays here. The thing that really stood out for me was the dialogue and how raw the characters came across, not feeling 2D at all in a world where we call every second film or TV show AI-written. Noah and Joanne felt like real people, with real problems, and considering they’re an older couple, it really felt like something new, but does the second season live up to the hype? I’d say yes and no.
For the most part, the second season is also just as exciting and just as romantic and dives deeper into real conflicts that couples like this one can have. However, as hard as it is to say this, the facade of Noah being an almost perfect man is broken this season, and I can’t imagine everyone’s going to love that. Sure, he’s still lovable, and he’s still better than most men we see on TV, but this is what I mean by delving deeper into realism, if you know what I mean. A lot of Noah’s greens turn red this season, and not in the passionate way. I suppose when you get deeper into any relationship, you start to open up more, and expressing what you’re really feeling is a byproduct, not something you do on purpose. This is exactly what happens with Noah, who feels way more reserved and laser-focused on Joanne’s conversion than ever before. But this is also because he wants to be accepted by his community and get the dream job he’s been working towards for so many years. But the thing is, Joanne was the one who tried to walk away to help Noah achieve these goals; he was the one who stuck with her.
Change is a tough pill to swallow, especially when it’s a lifelong commitment that you’ve suddenly lost. Noah’s journey this season is a bit of a downer, but ultimately, he’s grown by the end of the season again. On the other hand, I found Joanne to take on a more mature tone this season, and her character has really grown since season one because she seems to know exactly what she wants. Though when I say matured, I specifically mean in all aspects except when it comes to her sister, Morgan. I’m not going to lie, I kind of forgot how unhinged this woman was, and I’m in love yet again. Morgan has a lot going on this season; specifically, she’s found a new love, and the wheels are in motion almost instantly. On the other hand, I think we see a lot more of Esther this season, and she’s got some stuff going on herself, making her a big piece in the puzzle. A lot of criticism came the show’s way because of how it portrayed Jewish women, specifically in the roles of Bina and Esther, but I have a feeling those criticisms may not apply this season. Bina and Esther are undeniably likable, and to be honest, I feel like Esther’s a perfect “rival” to Morgan, as an edgy, straightforward Jewish woman. On the other hand, Bina’s skepticism is valid in my opinion, considering she’s the mother of a rabbi in his 40s, but she’s growing with her son. I especially loved the interaction between her and Morgan this season.
But in terms of the big question: is the chemistry still fantastic? Well, yes, it really is, and despite them being out of their honeymoon phase, when it comes to being lovey-dovey, they’re still a couple to be envious of. I mean, the nightstand thing was honestly too cute. I also quite enjoyed the Valentine’s Day episode, but I won’t give out any spoilers. Obviously, I can’t go without talking about Leighton Meester’s Abby, who is a great new cast member I’d love to see more of. The interaction between Meester and Brody’s characters is impeccable, and if you didn’t know they were married in real life, it may not make a difference to you at all, but I was squealing on the inside.
In terms of story, the show is nearly as good as the first season, but I did find a few things questionable. I can’t imagine it was easy to deal with the heat that came with the success of the first season. This is a show nobody expected to blow up nearly this big; I mean, it’s literally called Nobody Wants This, but we all wanted it and more. But will I say the same thing after having seen the second season? Yes, absolutely yes. Despite its flaws, and though I didn’t love the ending, which I personally wish had panned out differently, I’m still obsessed with this show like how I was obsessed with Barbie when I was a kid (and now too). I don’t know how to explain it, but watching this show feels like wearing a comfortable outfit that is also very stylish.
I think this is a story that many will relate to, and it’s still far better than other romantic comedies we’re seeing today, plus it’s a TV show, which leaves room for more improvement every season. I’m definitely going to be looking forward to what’s coming next, but in the meantime, I’ll be rewatching the first two seasons with my comfort food and plushies this holiday season, because I can. With that, I’ll give Nobody Wants This season two 3.5 out of 5 stars.
