Man Seeking Woman Season 1 Episode 1 Review: Lizard
Carissa Pavlica
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Dating sucks.
It sucks so bad. So bad that people take to apps like Tinder, one of the most frightening apps ever written, making its second appearance on TV this week as Josh Greenberg narrowly escapes creating a profile in Man Seeking Woman Season 1 Episode 1.
After being kicked out by his long-term girlfriend Maggie, Josh immediately wants new love. Let's be real, the whole idea of a waiting period is more of a wallowing period anyway, isn't it? People hang on and rethink everything they did and hope they can get back together with their ex. Move on!
Kudos to Josh for making the attempt. Seriously, he keeps on trucking even when others would not only pack up and go home, but would crawl under the covers and never come out. He's faced with some awesomely effed up situations in the premiere, but he never gives up.
Everything is presented in an extremely heightened way that wouldn't happen. It just wouldn't happen. Yet characters react as if it's the norm. That's one of the things that makes Man Seeking Woman work. The other is that, as incredibly bizarre as the circumstances become, viewers can still relate.
Who hasn't had someone suggest they go out with their less-than-desirable friend by pointing out their flaws? Josh's sister set him up with a troll. An actual bridge-dwelling, slimy green troll and her justification was his lack of a gym membership and temporary employment.
Liz: Joshua, want to have a little 'look at yourself' moment?
Josh: No, no.
Liz: Do you go to the gym?
Josh: No.
Liz: Do you have a job?
Josh: I, I, I... I'm a temp.
Liz: OK. Well, how does that sound to a lady?
Josh: If she's a temp she'll like it.
While it was unclear why he and Maggie broke up, I'm pretty sure Josh was correct when he screamed, "I'm better than Hitler!" When you discover who your ex is dating, while they may not be Hitler, they can sure as hell come off as in a similar category. You're flabbergasted to discover you've been tossed aside for the horror in front of you. Picturing Maggie rolling by on Hitler's lap as they giggled together still makes me giggle.
Maggie: My relationship with Dolphy has nothing to do with you. We're just two people who fell in love.
Josh: He's a 150 years old!
Maggie: He's 126. I can't believe I'm defending myself to you.
The ending summed it up perfectly; the entire experience of trying to connect with someone. It's so damned hard! When you finally get up the guts, when the words come tumbling out of your mouth and the other person actually accepts your invitation for a date, dammit, you really do feel like a grant is warranted. People should want to study your moves. You've succeeded!
Yep. There's the limo and the special call from the Prez. He took the easy way out when he met Michelle, rockin' the Jamiroquai hat. The old fashioned way should be celebrated. Tinder be damned!
There is so much to love about Man Seeking Woman. The performances are brilliant and fit the mood perfectly. There were a lot of little touches that deserve a nod:
- The Ziggy-like rainstorm that follows Josh around when he's in the street
- Josh asking the chick outside Torch what was up, and when she didn't respond well, unzipping his coat to show her the Robert Graham Contrasting Colors top
- Hitler screaming Uh oh over and over when he realized there was a Jew in the house, one of them
- Mike, who disparaged Josh the entire time, suddenly with the paparazzi when he acquired the digits, shouting, "Hitler ain't got shit on you!"
What did you think of this latest entry into the look at dating and romance? Is it too out there for you or did it hit just the right note of fantastical and funny? Hit the comments!
Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.
