Grew to Love “Love”

lovecover — Judd Apatow’s characters are raw, honest and vulnerable.

By ARIANNA SCAVONE

Please note: “Love” is rated R.

Netflix recently released “Love” an original series created by Judd Apatow, Paul Rust and Lesley Arfin. Starring Gillian Jacobs as Mickey and Rust himself as Gus, the show follows these two quirky, polar-opposite characters. Though at first seemingly cliche, “Love” ended up warming hearts and providing a raw view into the highs and lows of single life.

Hollywood tutor Gus goes to work and gets bullied daily by a 12-year-old, while Mickey tries to hold down her job as a radio show producer. “Love” creates an honest setting and portrays characters imperfectly, unlike most network shows normally do. Junior Rob F. said of Mickey and Gus, “They both seem to try and do typical stuff and fail hard at it, only to find that they ‘work’ best at doing their own things.”

These two characters are unlikely to meet, and a love story would only make this show sound predictable and cliche, so admittedly I clicked “start watching” with low expectations. However to my pleasant surprise, Apatow and Rust added ironic humor and showed us why Gus and Mickey are who they are by exposing their most vulnerable moments. Through sardonic humor, witty commentary and intimate discussion, Mickey and Gus become likable in very unexpected ways.

Spoiler Alert:

Mickey is a struggling alcoholic with an app on her phone that she has to restart every couple of days to track how long she’s been sober. It is heartbreaking when she has to erase the one hundred day mark and start sober at zero again. This vulnerability allows viewers to feel sympathy for Mickey, and relate to her realistic, flawed moments. Similarly, it is painful for viewers to watch Gus be broken up with by his girlfriend after she cheated on him.

Gus and Mickey first encounter at the convenience store near Mickey's house. — Gus and Mickey first encounter each other at the convenience store near Mickey’s house.

I love to see what I can relate to on TV, in particular how others communicate and react in situations comparable to ones in my own life. “Love” is not a show for people who are looking for fantasy, sci-fi or action. Rather, it can be appreciated for its humorous spin on human mistake, trial and error, and the never-ending search for happiness and love. Rob F. said he enjoyed watching the finale because given Mickey and Gus’s emotional states, this wasn’t supposed to be a happy ending. There is more of this story to come. “Love” while being a comedic and lighthearted relief, simultaneously explores and exposes human vulnerability. Pleasantly surprised, I give “Love” four stars for its unique honesty, relatable characters and light humor.

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