Who Knew ‘Baskets’ Would Have The Best Love Stories On Television?

There are few shows harder to explain than Zach Galifianakis‘ Baskets. Though it’s about an aspiring French clown who can’t speak French — arguably one of the most absurd show premises currently on TV — it’s one of the most heartfelt and emotionally realistic series on television. One of its main female characters, Christine Baskets, may be played by Louie Anderson in drag, but Anderson’s portrayal is so surprisingly delicate and nuanced, the character never strays into the realm of caricature. Even during one of the most politically divisive times in American history, Baskets‘ portrayal of Republicans and Democrats wasn’t biting or one-sided. It was almost pointedly gentle.

Knowing the may ways Baskets has quietly usurped audience expectations for three seasons now, I thought Galifianakis’ clowning gem would be incapable of surprising me. I was wrong. This new season of Baskets contains two of the sweetest and most unconventional love stories on television because of its conventionality.

The beauty of Baskets‘ romances come from how unexpected they are. From the show’s first episode, Chip’s (Galifianakis) French bride Penelope (Sabina Sciubba) made it clear that she saw him as nothing more than as a way to a green card. Season One devoted several episodes to depicting the many ways Penelope took advantage of Chip, to the point where Christine (Anderson) actually called her out at one point. Yet despite all of that pain, the two share a genuine connection toward the end of Season Two after Chip calls Penelope for a favor. It’s a moment that works because it feels so authentic. Both Chip and Penelope are returning to each other are slightly better people, Chip now willing to help his other twin brothers and Penelope willing to help Chip no questions asked. However, there’s still a note of selfishness and a refusal to acknowledge all the ways Penelope wronged him that lingers. Penelope isn’t a prize he’ll eventually win. She’s just another person in his odd story.

Christine’s relationship with Ken (Alex Morris) contains those same notes of small authenticity. After their first unofficial date at the Reagan Library, Christine slowly starts to realize how much of her life revolves around catering to other people. When she finally decides to drop everything to visit Ken in Denver, it’s partially a decision based in her desire to pursue this relationship, but it’s more than that. In that moment Christine is reclaiming her identity as a person and as a woman. Seeing her getting rewarded for that leap of faith was touching at the time, and in Season Three it continues to be beautiful. There are no longer any big declarations of love between Christine and Ken. There’s just kindness, a sense of mutual respect, and happiness. Forget the rollercoaster that is Jim and Pam. Christine and Ken embody the healthy relationship goals everyone should strive for.

Then there’s probably the most unexpectedly wholesome budding romance at the center of Baskets — the one between Chip and Martha (Martha Kelly). Chip and at times Martha have vehemently denied their relationship so many times, it’s become one of the series’ strongest running jokes besides anything related to Costco. However, if seasons past have been about failing and accepting failure, this new one is about making the most out of crushed dreams.

If relating one of my favorite will-they, won’t-theys on television to crushed dreams sounds cold, that’s kind of Baskets’ brand. At this point in the show all of Chip’s lofty dreams have collapsed around him. He likely will never be a French clown with a gorgeous and sophisticated French wife. Chip’s brief, tragic, and life-altering stint on the rails proved he’s not much of a world traveler. He can’t even be a successful rodeo clown or a performer on his own. The few gigs he is able to book are thanks to either dumb luck or Martha. Season Three starts with a protagonist who has failed at the ultimate version of his dreams in every way imaginable, cannot afford housing, is single, and whose only shot at consistent and fulfilling employment rests in the hands of his mother. And yet weirdly, Chip seems OK.

It’s a sad truth, but not everyone accomplishes the ultimate version of their dreams. Sometimes the dreamer who thinks they’ve finally escaped their small town is forced to return. Sometimes they never leave. However, underneath the overwhelming failure of the series, there’s a note of hope. Chip may not be able to be a prestigious French performer, but he has Baskets rodeo. He may not have the gorgeous French wife who was great in theory but toxic in reality, but he has the ever-loyal and sweet Martha. He may have failed by his own lofty standards, but that doesn’t mean the life he’s living now isn’t a great one.

This season and its themes of loss and accepting a smaller version of an imagined grandeur feels powerful, especially in a television environment defined by characters “making it.” As this sweet and deeply intelligent show knows, not everyone makes their dreams. But you know what? That’s OK. Sometimes the glamorous Penelopes of the world are darker and less exciting than they seem. Sometimes what you really needed this whole time was a Martha.

New episodes of Baskets premiere on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on FXX.

Watch Season 3 of Baskets on FXNOW and FX+