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 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a musical comedy created by Aline Brosh and Rachel Bloom, it's also very best show that absolutely no one is watching. Breaking with the grand tradition of amazing shows that don't get watched it has actually been renewed for a second season which premiers on Friday October 21st at 9/8c on The CW. I know you're already rolling your eyes thinking "A musical comedy doesn't sound like an amazing show.". I was a skeptic too but the following two songs convinced me to give it a go because they were catchy as hell and also extremely funny. I'm glad they did convince me because I ended up watching an incredibly funny show that deals with human problems in a very real way. A show where things aren't simply fixed at the end of an episode or with a moving speech. Problems take time and growth to work through and the show reflects that across a number of characters. It also sets up and then subverts classic TV show clichés constantly in a really interesting way. In short it rules hard. UPDATE: Some posters just below on the first page recommend different introductory songs and some recommend just trying the first episode rather than watching songs out of context. These two are just songs I think are great and are the ones that I saw before I had any idea what the show was about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4hh1YhDfbA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIJKuxzWAGs If you're still with me and not entirely made of straw then I suppose it's time to explain what the show's about. Fortunately the opening credits (don't worry it's 30 seconds long and I'll be here to hold your hand) explains the premise quickly and funnily! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzY3EaJTuJk Now that we have a rough idea of what the show's about it's time to meet the inhabitants of West Covina! I'll include a song or two for each character that tells you a lot about them, though they might not necessarily be their 'best' songs. Luckily almost every song is excellent, hooray! I've included some character quotes too to help give a feel for the characters and their relationships with one another. Rebecca Bunch played by Rachel Bloom  Rebecca was a high power lawyer in New York City but on the verge of being made a partner she freaked out that her life wasn't going the way she wanted it to. After a chance encounter with Josh, an old boyfriend, she decides to move to the small town of West Covina in California. The catch? It just so happens Josh grew up there and told her he's moving home. She takes a job in a small law firm in West Covina run by Darryl Whitefeather where she meets her best friend in a legal clerk named Paula. Rebecca spends the first season trying to steal Josh from his long term girlfriend Valencia. As the season progresses she becomes more aware that there are a lot of problems in her life that she needs to fix and work on rather than just pursuing Josh. However the show really comes into its own when it deals with characters trying to grow and mature but often failing or falling into old patterns. Rebecca's primary theme for the first season is "A new place doesn't make you a new person." Relevant Quotes Josh Chan: I know it's not cool to believe in God and stuff, but I do. Rebecca Bunch: Oh my God, that's like - that's insane! I believe in God too! What are the odds? Josh Chan: I think a lot of people believe in... Rebecca Bunch: Oh God, you're still here. Tell it to me straight, am I schizophrenic? Dr. Phil: I'm not really here, I'm just in your imagination. I mean, let's face it, you do have a very active imagination. One minute, you're walkin' down the street, the next minute, you're in a big musical. Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky-BYK-f154 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VDXlf97nBs Josh Chan played By Vincent Rodriguez III  Josh dated Rebecca when they were 16 at summer camp but dumped her on the last day of camp for "being overly dramatic and weird!". After spending a few months in New York and failing to make it Josh decides to move back home to West Covina. Just before he leaves he meets Rebecca on the street which unbeknownst to him triggers her move to West Covina. Josh is described by others as warmhearted and always trying to see the best in others. This might explain why he is dating a girlfriend who appears as to be as mean as Valencia. Josh seems oblivious to Rebecca's intentions for most of the season but as time passes seems to be falling for her. † Josh is involved in a love triangle of sorts with Rebecca and Greg. Josh's primary theme for the first season is "Becoming a more independent person who does what he wants to do." Relevant Quotes Rebecca Bunch: Where are you from again? Josh Chan: West Covina, California. Rebecca Bunch: I remember that - that's near the beach, right? Josh Chan: Yeah, only two hours... well, four in traffic. Josh Chan: I do other things that are sinful. I've had premarital sex, lots of it. And sometimes I watch adult content and take care of myself, and I don't mean in the vitamins/exercise kind of way. Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C5fHfG_ptE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxMBMhCe9kE †Josh loving sucks btw and I literally want to hate him to death if possible Greg Serrano played by Santino Fontana  Greg is a bartender at West Covina's Pee Wee baseball stadium and has lived in the town whole life, he's also Josh's childhood and current best friend. Greg immediately falls for Rebecca and enters not so much a 'love triangle' but a 'love total loving mess'. Greg is a perennial slacker who has never really tried that hard in his life mainly due to fear that he's not as smart as he thinks he is. Greg is a great guy who also stays in West Covina to look after his very ill father and his wonderful birds. Greg goes on a date with Rebecca in the first episode but fairly quickly realises that she's using him to get close to Josh, nonetheless they become very good friends. Greg's primary theme for the first season is "Escaping his small town routine life". Relevant Quotes Greg Serrano: Whoop-de-feakin'-do, an A. What's an A? It's just a letter on the page meant to distract us from the pain. But it's not like any A can make a difference in the day. Sure I could get an A if I wanted an A, but who cares about an A? I don't. I don't care. Although I could have made that grade if I did care. But I don't. But I could if I wanted to! Marty: Hey, I know you! From Spiders! You were the sourpuss fighting with the girl in the shiny dress. Greg Serrano: Hey, I'm not a sourpuss. I am pensive. And deep. Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HayIkHCXTBM https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmbLB4OIuao Paula Proctor played by Donna Lynne Champlin  Paula is a legal clerk at the law firm Rebecca takes a job at and is initially deeply suspicious of Rebecca's reasons for leaving her high paying New York job to move to a small Californian town. After the first episode when Paula finds out Rebecca is in love with Josh she becomes Rebecca's best friend and most ardent supporter. Paula is married with kids and it seems like her marriage is struggling so she sees Rebecca's success in love as a success in her own life. Paula and Rebecca care about each other a lot but their friendship often leads to them spurring each other on in how far they go to unite Rebecca and Josh. Paula's primary theme for the first season is "Living her own life not someone else's". Relevant Quotes Paula Proctor: My marriage is like The Walking Dead. Okay, we are all just trying to get out alive. Calvin Young: Mmmm! Your perfume is delightful! Paula Proctor: Thank you. I rubbed a magazine on myself this morning. Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmWJ-e8uyoE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_n0DytNx5I Darryl Whitefeather played by Pete Gardner  Darryl, or "Chief" as he'd desperately like to be called, is the boss of the law firm Rebecca gets a job at. He's the kind of incredibly sweet but clingy friend who'd answer your call at 5am when you got a flat tire three hours away but you'd still be reluctant to call him. Darryl is going through a somewhat messy divorce but has a daughter that he really wants to get as much custody of as possible. Darryl struggles to make friends due to his somewhat overbearing nature but as the series progresses he becomes more comfortable with who he is and begins to meet people who like him for that. Darryl's primary theme for the first season is "Accepting who I am". Relevant Quotes Darryl Whitefeather: Has she been Catfished by a drug smuggler? I saw this new show Catfished by a Drug Smuggler on the new Catfishing channel. Oh my God, it is so good. Darryl Whitefeather: My whole life is a lie, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSj2wy7ZJVo Heather Davis played by Vella Lovell  Heather is Rebecca's neighbour and though she starts off as an occasional character she eventually plays an important role in the cast. Initially appearing to be an aloof but abrasive stoner who doesn't care about Rebecca or her problems it is slowly revealed that Heather is the most emotionally and mentally mature character in the show. Heather frequently offers good advice and insight that other characters agree with before digging in deep and really powering into ruining their lives. I can't remember if she smokes weed in the show but she definitely does imo. Heather's primary theme for the first season is "Listen to her you fuckheads". Relevant Quotes Greg Serrano: Does this present say, "Our mom sucks but I'm gonna try very hard not to hold it against you?" Heather Davis: No, it says you're old and still think kids play outside. Heather only has a single reprise so far in the show but it's kind of a spoiler so I'll leave it out. Hopefully she'll sing more in season two because her voice is wonderful! Valencia Perez played by Gabrielle Ruiz  Josh's current girlfriend Valencia comes across as a cliché and airheaded bitch in the early going. To me Valencia and her development is some of the most interesting stuff in a show full of character development and exploration. Valencia seems to a be a very sweet person at heart but is often treated quite badly or like a typical bimbo and has ended up being forced into that roll because of this. She is also one of the only people who realises what Rebecca is up to and this causes others to see her as abrasive and paranoid. However she does have plenty of flaws and is often unintentionally cruel to others. Towards the end of the season she really starts making breakthroughs and I am excited to see where her character goes. Valencia's primary theme for the first season is "I will never treat others well if I don't treat myself well first." Relevant Quotes Valencia Perez: I don't trust you as far as I can throw you which isn't far since you eat bagels after eight P.M. Valencia Perez: I've been practicing my humor! I watched an online tutorial! Relevant Songs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4zhrlxnXnE So what are you waiting for? Start watching now! I assure you the show is far less cliché than this sentence! For real though I loving hate Josh, I'm actually getting so mad right now. Anyways old thread posters here's this season's trailer. If people have better thread title ideas let me know and I'll PM a mod though I'll get stressed if I don't think the new title is better but don't want to be full of myself. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImCSjD3vXi8 UPDATE: It seems like we have updated season two opening credits EmmyOk fucked around with this message at 13:31 on Feb 6, 2017 |
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Oct 16, 2016 04:42
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I am super excited for this show to be back
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Oct 16, 2016 04:54
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I'm ready
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Oct 16, 2016 07:21
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Here's an idea for a new thread title: Josh is Cool and Good.
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Oct 16, 2016 07:49
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Can't wait for this to return. Haven't watched any trailers, so will be going into all the new songs totally cold.
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Oct 16, 2016 09:31
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This is a great OP for an even greater series. Thanks for this. I'm even more excited now. I love that you would sell people on it with "I'm a good person" and "I give good parent" as well these songs are so catchy. All in all it's a really well done OP. I actually considered tweeting it to Bloom. But right now the SA paywall is up anyway. cant cook creole bream fucked around with this message at 11:38 on Oct 16, 2016 |
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Oct 16, 2016 10:09
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EmmyOk posted:I was a skeptic too but the following two songs convinced me to give it a go because they were catchy as hell and also extremely funny. I think if someone had showed me these two songs, I would not have watched the show (I didn't even like I Give Good Parent in context). The Sexy Getting Ready Song would probably be the one I'd choose to give an idea of what the show's like (but actually I think showing any of the songs out of context is probably not going to convince many people to watch it). So if anyone is reading this far and hasn't watched any of the videos, my advice is don't. Just watch the first episode.
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Oct 16, 2016 11:39
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Everyone's gonna have different opinions on which songs are better and which will work for others - I personally love Good Parent, but don't care for Good Person. Sexy Getting Ready Song was what sold me initially, though. West Covina is a'ite but SGRS was when I knew I could happily watch a show full of music like this.
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Oct 16, 2016 12:08
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Hell, I convinced my sister to give it a try after I showed her "Heavy boobs" because I knew she felt similar. Different tastes.
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Oct 16, 2016 12:14
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I think the one thing everyone can agree on is that the Yoga song is....one of the lesser ones, at best.
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Oct 16, 2016 12:24
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I updated the OP telling people that other posters on the first page recommended no songs or alternate songs etc.Zaggitz posted:Here's an idea for a new thread title: Josh is Cool and Good. I'm doing the same thing as your avatar... EXCEPT IN REVERSE! 
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Oct 17, 2016 01:27
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A friend sold me on the show by showing me this video and saying "She has a show." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWMpnxMLZ_E
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Oct 17, 2016 05:42
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Guys I'm worried about Greg.
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Oct 17, 2016 12:43
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Realtalk though, I hope Heather gets more to do this year she was super underused last season.
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Oct 17, 2016 15:15
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I only realised after seeing this OP that that was Heather in the soundtrack cast photo instead of Valencia, and I'm still trying to figure out why.
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Oct 17, 2016 15:34
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There's apparently a new theme song for this season. Here it is: http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/crazy-ex-girlfriend-season-two-theme-im-just-a-girl-in-love.html?mid=twitter_vulture
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Oct 17, 2016 15:58
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Much better than last years. Nice.
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Oct 17, 2016 16:02
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Escobarbarian posted:I only realised after seeing this OP that that was Heather in the soundtrack cast photo instead of Valencia, and I'm still trying to figure out why. Yeah at first I thought "Oh maybe Valencia didn't have any songs in Volume 1" but I realised when I was wrting up Heather's character segment that she didn't either. Definitely a strange one but apparently Valencia was only supposed to be in two episodes originally so maybe the photoshoot predates that change. I totally agree, Zaggitz, she's definitely someone I'd like to see the show spend more time on and I really want to see her get her own song. I just hope if we spend more time with her she doesn't end up with her own problems because it's nice having someone stable and sensible in a cast of monumental wrecks. And I mean she's amazing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxaZ7HThc00 Asiina posted:There's apparently a new theme song for this season. Adding a link to the OP now and will update with the youtube version when it's up! I like that they updated it to fit the new season but the other was better in my opinion. That's not a slight on this one because one of them was always going to be better. The new opening feels less descriptive of the situation, I guess that makes sense for season two but that first one was something special. e: Also I forgot how much I disliked Paula towards the end of the season. EmmyOk fucked around with this message at 16:49 on Oct 17, 2016 |
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Oct 17, 2016 16:18
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Asiina posted:There's apparently a new theme song for this season.
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Oct 17, 2016 18:24
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New theme is delightful, especially Rachel's 'blaam!' at the end.Zaggitz posted:Realtalk though, I hope Heather gets more to do this year she was super underused last season. 
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Oct 17, 2016 18:24
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Yes, it's like a lava lamp.
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Asiina posted:There's apparently a new theme song for this season. Not really into the song but it's short and cute. I like how the cold stare at the end is just long enough to get slightly irritated. I hope this is not just a thing in the trailer.
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Oct 17, 2016 18:30
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Sober posted:I want a new theme song every season Reading the rest of the article that is their plan.
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Oct 17, 2016 18:39
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Spoilers! Here, have some previews I found down the back of youtube... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2VF6iBIOWk EDIT: The cads! They've taken it down. It was a 2-minute clip of the ep 2.1. Dave Brookshaw fucked around with this message at 20:31 on Oct 17, 2016 |
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Oct 17, 2016 19:01
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10 Second White Josh and Chief clip
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Oct 17, 2016 19:31
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Dave Brookshaw posted:Spoilers! That's private.
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Oct 17, 2016 19:46
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Spoiler time! New song from the premiere! http://www.ew.com/article/2016/10/17/crazy-ex-girlfriend-beyonce-lemonade-music-video?xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitter
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Oct 17, 2016 20:31
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cant cook creole bream posted:That's private. They appear to have removed it already. Edited my post.
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Oct 17, 2016 20:31
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Senerio posted:Spoiler time! Well, that seems healthy. Darryl's is looking great!
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Oct 17, 2016 20:59
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I can't decide whether to watch all the songs on YouTube or go through Netflix with a heavy fast forward button ahead of Friday
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Oct 18, 2016 15:37
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Did the new theme get taken down? I can't find it anywhere.
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Oct 18, 2016 23:35
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JT Smiley posted:Did the new theme get taken down? I can't find it anywhere. Rachel Bloom has you covered. https://twitter.com/Racheldoesstuff/status/788026495818018816
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Oct 19, 2016 00:10
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Avclub has one more song from the season opener: http://www.avclub.com/article/exclusive-rebecca-and-josh-shouldnt-be-having-sex--244402 (also an interview)
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Oct 19, 2016 16:00
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Also season 1 gag reel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z3DO45UQm1I
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Oct 20, 2016 13:17
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EmmyOk posted:
Alright, I'll bite. Why do you hate Joshie?
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Oct 21, 2016 19:23
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FoxTerrier posted:Alright, I'll bite. Why do you hate Joshie? Josh's song about feelings pretty much embodies my main problem with him, he doesn't have the heart of a child he has the mind of a child. Someone who has the heart of a child believes in true love or that there's good in all people, some one with the mind of a child tries to beat up bad emotions with frankly pathetic karate. There are points where it felt like Rebecca was flirting with a literal five year old and it was really weird. Josh's character also wildly veers between normal guy, nice but naive guy, and so stupid he might actually be developmentally disabled. Being kind of nice doesn't really making him compatible with Rebecca when they don't seem to have anything else in common on any level. Josh was also to blame just as much as Valencia for their relationship and he treats her awfully when Rebecca shows up. He also walks like he pooped his pants and if you think Rebecca looks like a Bex I don't know what to tell you.
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Oct 21, 2016 21:52
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CW made a deal with Netflix to put new eps up weekly in the UK.....but not until Sunday morning. So not really beneficial to me.
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Oct 21, 2016 22:08
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EmmyOk posted:Josh's song about feelings pretty much embodies my main problem with him, he doesn't have the heart of a child he has the mind of a child. Someone who has the heart of a child believes in true love or that there's good in all people, some one with the mind of a child tries to beat up bad emotions with frankly pathetic karate. There are points where it felt like Rebecca was flirting with a literal five year old and it was really weird. Josh's character also wildly veers between normal guy, nice but naive guy, and so stupid he might actually be developmentally disabled. Being kind of nice doesn't really making him compatible with Rebecca when they don't seem to have anything else in common on any level. Josh was also to blame just as much as Valencia for their relationship and he treats her awfully when Rebecca shows up. He also walks like he pooped his pants and if you think Rebecca looks like a Bex I don't know what to tell you. I think this is a very fair take on Josh, but I don't think that makes him any more hatable than the rest of them. It makes him just as issue ridden as all of the other characters. I agree they over do it on the dumbness a little which is weird, but I think it is just to highlight that even though he is nice and even though Rebecca thinks she loves him, that's not enough for them to be compatible in the long run. The speech the aloha HR manager gives about why Josh wouldn't be happy there (based on Rebecca's essay) is a speech about why they won't be happy together as a couple. But yeah he's got plenty of issues and I don't think we are supposed to think he's a great guy. Emotionally immature and stringing Valencia along for so long while failing to communicate means he has plenty of relationship work to do -- just like Greg and Rebecca have their own different set of relationship poo poo. We'll see how much more figuring of that poo poo any of them might manage to do this season. But I have a feeling it's going to get worse before it gets better. I mean, they have four seasons of this planned so I don't think there's going to be a emotionally balanced light at the end of the tunnel for any of them for a long time. And guys, I'm worried about Greg.
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Oct 21, 2016 23:47
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Knockknees posted:I think this is a very fair take on Josh, but I don't think that makes him any more hatable than the rest of them. It makes him just as issue ridden as all of the other characters. I think Greg and Rebecca might not be sympatico anymore because I mean she loving stamped on his heart three times now in increasingly horrific ways. Granted the last one was his fault but it's still a pretty big issue. Heather and Greg made a lot of sense but they can't get back together now or it'll feel like he's settling for her imo. Dumbness is much more hatable than almost any other quality because it's so infuriating also loving bex.
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Oct 22, 2016 00:00
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EmmyOk posted:Josh's song about feelings pretty much embodies my main problem with him, he doesn't have the heart of a child he has the mind of a child. Someone who has the heart of a child believes in true love or that there's good in all people, some one with the mind of a child tries to beat up bad emotions with frankly pathetic karate. There are points where it felt like Rebecca was flirting with a literal five year old and it was really weird. Josh's character also wildly veers between normal guy, nice but naive guy, and so stupid he might actually be developmentally disabled. Being kind of nice doesn't really making him compatible with Rebecca when they don't seem to have anything else in common on any level. Josh was also to blame just as much as Valencia for their relationship and he treats her awfully when Rebecca shows up. He also walks like he pooped his pants and if you think Rebecca looks like a Bex I don't know what to tell you. Counterpoint:  Knockknees posted:
Me too.  Also OP left out #1 reason to watch the new season:     vv Spoilered it 
FoxTerrier fucked around with this message at 00:26 on Oct 22, 2016 |
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Oct 22, 2016 00:10
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I feel like White Josh and Chief are a journey people should discover naturally 
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Oct 22, 2016 00:13
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