Such great characters and realistic plots embedded in a farce is pretty
brilliant writing, but it is hard to take. Strange how in a TV show we root
for the characters to stay together no matter what. It is surprising that
Gretchen is the the only one who is depressed considering these people
are so nasty to each other. Is this supposed to be normal or something.
What is the point?
It's supposed to be a TV show. Mindless entertainment.
shareExcept that this show isn't one of those. It isn't a "catch phrase" show. At least not the 2nd season. The 2nd season is the one where they decided they needed to get 'deep' and explain why the characters are as bad as they are.
I really wish they would have just kept going on like in the first season where there were no excuses/reasons given as to why they were so horrible.
no excuses/reasons given as to why they were so horrible.100% this.
Gretchen is depressed because she has clinical depression. People sometimes use "depressed" to mean sad, which many of the characters certainly are, at times, but that's a response to circumstances rather than clinical depression, which is a medical condition.
Depression is pretty "normal." Stats vary, but something like 1 in 4 people will have a depressive episode at some time in their lives, so it's very relatable to a lot of people, whether they've experienced it themselves, or seen a loved on go through it. It's difficult to watch, but the way the show balances the tough stuff with humor is one of the things that makes it so excellent. The scene where all of Gretchen's contacts show up to talk to her, including Henry Rollins via skype, is absolutely hilarious, but occurs within the context of a very serious situation.