‘You’re The Worst’ Delivered The Perfect Series Finale

The Season 1 finale of You’re the Worst foreshadowed the fate of Jimmy and Gretchen. During one of the couple’s many reconciliations, an emotionally exhausted Gretchen collapses into Jimmy. “Oh, shit. We’re gonna do this,” she says with a sigh. “We’re gonna do this even though we know there is only one way this ends. Whether in a week or 20 years; there is horrible sadness and pain coming and we’re inviting it.”

Many believed that You’re the Worst was destined to conclude with Jimmy and Gretchen on the outs. Moments after their Season 1 reunion, Gretchen’s apartment literally goes up in flames; the show’s theme song is a melodic reminder that both parties have one foot out the door; and, oh yeah, the name of the show is You’re. The. Worst. All the Season 5 flash-forwards seemed to indicate that Jimmy and Gretchen’s wedding wasn’t meant to end with “I do.” And it didn’t. But the series didn’t conclude with heartbreak either. Instead, series creator Stephen Falk crafted an emotionally-satisfying finale that delivered the perfect coda to the story of Jimmy and Gretchen.

In true worstie form, Gretchen and Jimmy decide to ditch their own wedding, lamenting against the “false guarantees” of marriage and likening the antiquated practice to a form of emotional novocaine. Gretchen asks Jimmy what he wants and he simply responds “pancakes.” They don’t get married; they don’t break-up. Instead, they go to a diner where Jimmy proposes a sensible alternative to a lifelong commitment.

“Every day we wake up, we look at each other and say, ‘Today, again, I choose you.’ Until maybe one day we don’t.”

The series concludes with Gretchen and Jimmy scarfing down an assortment of breakfast foods, which includes both pancakes and eggs. (A possible callback to the eggs vs. pancakes scene from the first “Sunday Funday” episode. Notice that Gretchen ordered the eggs, but then also nabbed some of Jimmy’s pancakes.) Gretchen, who once believed she was wholly unlovable, and Jimmy, who thought of himself as too profoundly messed up to sustain a genuine relationship, exchange one last smile. The duo are no longer the same two incredibly selfish people we were introduced to outside of Becca and Vernon’s wedding, but at the same time, they did just abandoned every single person they care about without so much as a single text.

The You’re the Worst finale indicated that while Jimmy and Gretchen may be well past the point of no return when it comes to fundamental change, they’re both finally capable of personal growth. Yes, the series delivered a happy ending, but more importantly, it was an authentic conclusion to a well-told story.

Tonight’s swan song also revealed the mystery behind the flash-forwards from previous episodes. We learn that Gretchen and Jimmy are not only still together but have an adorable little girl (Felicity). The florist who “S’d Jimmy’s D” is now their nanny, Edgar’s a successful writer living in New York, and the whole gang is back together for Lindsay and Paul’s second wedding.

The episode, aptly titled “Pancakes,” contained a number of wonderful moments — Lindsay’s song and use of “dauntings,” the food processor callback from the pilot, Jimmy’s affecting diner speech — but the most powerful scene, the one that’ll endure in the hearts of fans, was the montage of Gretchen and Jimmy’s future scored to The Mountain Goats’ “No Children.”

“I am drowning, there is no sign of land
You are coming down with me, hand in unlovable hand”

Even for a show that excelled at creating memorable musical moments, You’re the Worst saved its best for last.

In the intro I noted how the Season 1 finale foreshadowed Gretchen and Jimmy’s fate. It absolutely did, just not in an obvious way. “Look, Becca was a choice. A dumb choice, but a choice,” Jimmy explained to Gretchen in the first season capper. “You and I… we’re inevitable.”

Inevitable. That’s the perfect way to describe it. Jimmy and Gretchen truly were inevitable. At its core, You’re the Worst was about two emotionally damaged people forging an unlikely connection. Underneath all the bravado, the show exuded a stealthy optimism, providing both hope and solace to anyone who could relate to Jimmy or Gretchen’s emotional difficulties. The series conveyed the messiness of life with a deft blend of poise, humor, and authenticity.

You’re the Worst resonated with so many people because it keenly understood the one unifying theme that continues to confound us all:

Simply stating that I’m going to miss You’re the Worst would be an understatement. When it was firing on all cylinders, it was one of the funniest, sharpest, most painfully realistic shows on television. There are so many memorable moments to cherish — Aya Cash’s sensational performance in “There is Not Currently a Problem,” Chris Geere’s dramatic speech in the Season 4 finale, “dot…dot…dot,” Ben Folds, all things Vernon, “I didn’t know it was a school,” “I hate everyone but you,” “she ight,” Sunday Funday, “rando,” “I am frightened by puzzles and general trickery” — but what I’m going to remember the most about You’re the Worst is that it made my life just a little bit better.

Thanks for the memories, ya degenerate.

The first four seasons of You’re the Worst are currently streaming on Hulu.

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