A Tale of Love, Faith, and Family: Engaging Review of ‘Nobody Wants This’
A still from ‘Nobody Wants This’
Photo Credit: IMDb
An Introduction to the Heartwarming Series
It almost sounds like the beginning of a joke — a cynical relationship podcaster meets a rabbi. While there are laughs to be had on Nobody Wants This, inspired by creator Erin Foster’s own love story (she was a cynical writer until she met her Jewish husband), the series delves deeper into the complexities of interfaith romance, the pressures from families, and the intricate dynamics of sibling relationships. The beauty of the show lies in its tiny, digestible episodes, making it a perfect binge-watch experience.
The Storyline and Character Dynamics
The series centers around Joanne (Kristen Bell), who runs a successful podcast on sex and relationships with her sassy sister, Morgan (Justine Lupe). With 119 episodes under their belt, the sisters have carved out a niche audience. On the other hand, we have Noah (Adam Brody), a rabbi ready to propose to his perfect Jewish girlfriend, Rebecca (Emily Arlook), only to find her already wearing an engagement ring. Her reasoning? “Why wait when they both know what they want?” This marks the end of Noah’s relationship with Rebecca.
Post a disastrous date, Joanne is rescued by Morgan and decides to attend a party hosted by her best friend and agent, Ashley (Sherry Cola). Coincidentally, Noah also attends the same party, thrown by Ashley to cheer him up post-breakup. Sparks fly upon their encounter, marking the beginning of a charming yet complex relationship.
Challenges in Love
Following a cute meet, Joanne and Noah’s relationship faces myriad obstacles. Rabbi Cohen (Stephen Tobolowsky), Noah’s superior, insists Noah must marry a Jewish wife to become head rabbi at Temple Chai. Simultaneously, Morgan feels Joanne is changing herself to please Noah, rendering their podcast boring. This causes tension between the sisters, culminating in some emotional confrontations.
Family Dynamics
The show brilliantly depicts family dynamics on both sides. Joanne’s divorced parents – mum Lynn (Stephanie Faracy) and newly gay dad, Henry (Michael Hitchcock) – are welcoming and inquisitive about Noah. Contrarily, Noah’s family is highly scrutinizing of Joanne. His mum, Bina (Tovah Feldshuh), though Noah’s “favourite person in the whole world,” is critical and a tad overbearing. His dad, Ilan (Paul Ben-Victor), seeks peace within the family. Noah’s supportive brother Sasha (Timothy Simons) and his astoundingly competent wife, Esther (Jackie Tohn), complicate matters further, especially since Esther was a close friend of Rebecca.
Heartwarming Moments
The relationship dynamics are further explored through various activities – from basketball games and Jewish camp to winning over the WAGs and even crashing Sasha and Esther’s daughter Miriam’s (Shiloh Bearman) Bat Mitzvah party. Joanne frequently finds herself feeling inadequate compared to Rebecca, who does not even need social media for validation.
Delightful Chemistry and Binge-Worthy Episodes
Noah seems almost too perfect, making audiences constantly wait for a “Carrie Bradshaw moment” where Joanne might search his house for bizarre secrets. The most curious item in Noah’s mysterious box of Rebecca’s things is a cast of Rebecca’s baby foot – cutely creepy at best. Nonetheless, Nobody Wants This is a delightful series with episodes perfectly poised for a binge, driven by the excellent chemistry between Kristen Bell and Adam Brody.
Conclusion: A Must-Watch
Nobody Wants This is currently streaming on Netflix, contravening its title as it offers bingeable, heartwarming, and hilariously engaging episodes. The blend of humor, poignant moments, and familial intricacies make it a must-watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is ‘Nobody Wants This’ about?
Nobody Wants This revolves around Joanne, a cynical relationship podcaster, and Noah, a rabbi. The series explores their romantic journey along with the pressure of interfaith romance, family expectations, and sibling dynamics.
2. Where is ‘Nobody Wants This’ currently streaming?
It is available for streaming on Netflix.
3. How many episodes are there in ‘Nobody Wants This’?
The series consists of 10 episodes, each running between 22 to 31 minutes.
4. Who are the main characters in the series?
The main characters include Joanne (Kristen Bell), Noah (Adam Brody), Morgan (Justine Lupe), and several others forming a diverse and vibrant cast.
5. What are the challenges faced by Joanne and Noah?
Joanne and Noah face interfaith romantic pressures, familial scrutiny, and professional tensions, especially involving Joanne’s podcast with her sister, Morgan.
6. How does the show depict family dynamics?
The series vividly portrays the contrasting dynamics within Joanne’s and Noah’s families, highlighting both supportive and challenging relationships.
7. Why does Noah break up with Rebecca?
Noah breaks up with Rebecca after finding her already wearing an engagement ring without discussing it with him first, which marks a final straw in their relationship.
8. Are the episodes of ‘Nobody Wants This’ binge-worthy?
Yes, the light-hearted and engaging episodes make the series highly bingeable, with charming chemistry among characters adding to its appeal.
9. Who created ‘Nobody Wants This’?
The series is created by Erin Foster and is inspired by her own love story.
10. What makes ‘Nobody Wants This’ unique?
The combination of humor, in-depth exploration of interfaith romance, familial pressures, and sibling rivalry, all delivered in short, digestible episodes, makes it a standout series.
Tags
“Nobody Wants This”, Netflix, Kristen Bell, Adam Brody, Erin Foster, Interfaith Romance Series, Relationship Podcast, Streaming Series, IMDb
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