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Tonight kicks off the new season of FX comedy Married and if you haven’t been privy to Andrew Gurland’s fresh take on ’till death do us part, then you’re surely missing out.
Starring Judy Greer and Nat Faxon as the not-so-happily married Lina and Russ Bowman, the series chronicles the immediate aftermath of Lina encouraging her husband to have an affair. A hall pass, however, is just one of the many extremes the two take in order to reignite the fire and save their marriage. It may seem a little outrageous, especially to anyone who may have recently tied the knot, but ten years and three kids have sent Lina and Russ over the deep end and, as best friends stuck in a weightier contractual obligation, they’re willing to try just about anything. Here are five reasons to get to know the Bowmans and their inner circle of equally dysfunctional thirtysomethings before Married‘s Season Two premieres tonight at 10 on FX and FXNOW.
It's a crasser, edgier, funnier 'Togetherness.'
In today’s television zeitgeist, it’s increasingly cool to expel how “not with it” you are or how little you have your shit together as an adult. Looking, Hello Ladies, and the Duplass Brothers’ sweetly somber Togetherness are just a few representations of Gen-X proving the struggle is real. Married has elements of this, sure, but creator Andrew Gurland also tends to mock the generation in a deeply funny and dark manner through instances that force his broken characters to face themselves time and again and silently admit that they’re pretty darn childish.
Must-Watch Episode: “The Shower“
Jenny Slate is comedic gold.
Obvious Child star Slate plays wild and crazy Jess, who has known Russ and his best friend AJ (Brett Gelman) since college. Jess recently took on the title of capital-T Trophy wife after marrying sugar daddy Shep (Paul Reiser), who, after a series of unfortunate events, “ran out of sugar.” In an effort to prove to herself she can take the next steps as a committed wife and mother, Jess has to stop sexting the neighbor and start deciding which preschool she wants to send their baby boy.
Must-Watch Episode: “The Getaway“
The writing is a sharp and unforgivingly honest.
Gurland, who’s wife also works on the series, makes it poignantly clear from the get-go that Lina and Russ love each other very much — they just can’t stand the responsibility of being married with children. The very first time we’re introduced to the frustrated couple, Lina is adamantly off sex until further notice out of fear of having another kid, while Russ has no problem taking matters, quite literally, into his own hands. Yet, through their sexual ups and downs, money troubles, and clumsy self-discoveries, it’s clear how realistic, and arguably autobiographical, Gurland has made his characters.
Must-Watch Episode: “Invisible Man“
Brett Gelman will be your new favorite.
When we meet Gelman’s AJ, he’s just been dumped and divorced for a much more successful, better-looking man. But this hilariously depressive character is on the rebound, and there’s nothing some sex, drugs, and (much) younger women can’t temporarily cure — all with a little help from a recently untethered Russ. Though AJ’s self-destructiveness doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon, he keeps it all together for his adoring and adorable son.
Must-Watch Episode: “Halloween“
It's a realistic take on old and new relationships that won't make you gag.
Aside from the writing, what makes Married so relatable is its focus on three mutually exclusive circumstances through the eyes of five characters: longtime married couples, newlyweds, and the recent divorcé who’s attempting to get back into the dating game. The show takes no prisoners and highlights how poorly people tend to treat one another and themselves in all three instances, yet the mishaps endured keep you laughing hard enough to maybe — just maybe — still consider, “I do.”
Must-Watch Episode: “Family Day“
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