★★★★★ 0/5

….a TV gem for your consideration

Here's your answer: It's a beautiful episode, unlike anything else on TV. And here's why you should watch it.

21
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2014-09-17_1025Next week’s episode of Please Like Me is the best of the season, and follows on from last night’s surprising detour.

There are a couple of points that make this a unique and bold episode.

Firstly the whole thing is filmed in the Tasmanian wilderness, as Josh and his mum (Debra Lawrence) go hiking at Cradle Mountain.

We’re a long way away from the suburban settings of Sydney and Melbourne, so often depicted in House Husbands, Wonderland and Winners and Losers, folks.

The scenery and the cinematography are utterly eye-catching.

The second point is, there are just two -yes 2- characters in the entire episode.

The whole things rests on the relationship between Josh and his mother which, quite frankly, makes it an even richer experience.

Debra Lawrance is fantastic is the vulnerable, spontaneous, funny mother of a son trying to do the right thing, but who is torn between meeting his needs as well as hers.

Director Matthew Saville has crafted a beautiful, fragile episode and I am hard-pressed to think of anyone else making this kind of television right now, at least in this country. It’s like watching a two-hander stage play on television.

This one deserves some nominations: Debra Lawrance for her acting, Josh Thomas for writing it and Matthew Saville for directing it.

Last week a number of readers reminded us comedians such as Josh Thomas can be polarising. Here’s a case of the work speaking for itself.

9:30pm Tuesday on ABC2.

p.s Readers tomjw872 (who I suspect had a little insider knowledge!) and ajaymackay correctly guessed Please Like Me in yesterday’s teaser post.

21 Responses

  1. PLM is one of the most original shows on TV. Written by Josh who is all of 25 .. maybe younger. I am totally smitten by it. Such a shame ABC have it buried on ABC 2. I still think they missed an opportunity to promote it as part of Mental Health week !!. Cant wait to see next weeks episode.

  4. So sad to see Ginger go so suddenly.
    Unfortunately very true to life.
    Denise has been exceptional in the role.
    Really felt for Tom as well – his anguish after his messed up GF was so horrible to him was heartwrenching.

    Love this show – poignant, wistful and really perceptive.
    Yes, on a significantly higher plane than all those local pedestrian soapies David mentioned.
    So look forward to watching Josh’s trek through the wilderness with his wonderful mum.

  8. I feel bad for using my insider knowledge, but I’m flattered that my answer was right. Thanks David. I agree that’s it’s the best episode of the series.

  10. Never liked this show, find it self indulgent and not very funny. Never found Josh or his work appealing, just annoying! Debra Lawrence is always great in whatever she appears in.

  11. Tv writers really love this show. Perhaps there’s something about it that particularly appeals to people who watch a lot of tv. Still it rated 64,000 last night so that 10 times some community tv shows.

  14. Last night’s episode was better too.

    I suspect that having to write a longer series there was some padding in the early episodes while the main storyline was developing.

  17. Seriously my favourite show on TV right now. Thought I wouldn’t like it before season 1, but gosh darn it’s a good production. Shame ABC just sticks it on ABC2

  18. How much did Josh pay you for this glowing review? the only thing I agree on is Debra Lawrence is probably the best thing about the show. I hope she does get awards.

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