Chris: In the last episode, I talked about how Gretchen is still struggling with the same issue in episode one, trying to hold onto the fact they’re not “sweater people” but in this episode, it looks like she’s still getting over what we thought they both progressed past in episode 12 of last season; trying to be who they were before the relationship. Clearly Gretchen reunites her friends in the hopes they all can go back to who they all were years ago but none of the other girls (except for one) has any desire to go anywhere close to what resembles that life. But by seeing the trainwreck of Cory was an eye-opening experience for Gretchen as she realizes that she doesn’t necessarily want that life anymore. Perhaps seeing someone leading a similar life to her own, this will cause Gretchen to finally progress in the way that Jimmy seemingly has.
Alexa: Going into “You’re the Worst,” I didn’t think Paul, Vernon and Becca would be a significant part of the show. But a few episodes into season two I get the sense these supporting players are here to stay, and at least so far, the show is using them just the right amount. Those personalities would be grating as series regulars, but I’m down for more of Vernon’s random and bizarre attempts to befriend his wife’s ex-boyfriend. This episode also serves as a reminder that for every bit of progress Jimmy and Gretchen make in adulthood (like moving in together), they still have a lot of growing up to do. Gretchen’s dynamic with her old group of friends underscores how quickly adult life can move (she thinks it’s been a few months since they last hung out when it’s actually been a few years) and how much can change in that time. Gretchen has largely remained stagnant in terms of her personal growth compared to her other friends. So the question becomes will she ever change as much as they have, or will she be the one stealing stereos from house parties? Or perhaps somewhere in between?
Joel: So far this season, we’ve gotten a lot of focus on Gretchen trying to grow as a person. While Jimmy seems to be more or less content with exactly where he is in life, Gretchen is the one that’s having to make the major life changes and adjustments. Gretchen is the one who is moving. Gretchen is the one who is having to purchase an entire adult life at the mall. Gretchen is making great changes in her life, and while Jimmy is willing to make a few minor changes, the attempt at building furniture last episode for example, Jimmy doesn’t seem to be in any great hurry to change his lifestyle at all. Take the party in this episode for example. Jimmy spends the bulk of the episode trying to avoid everybody and everything. All Jimmy wants is the peace of solitude so that he can read a pretentious book. (By the way, Jimmy trying to hide from a party so that he can read might be the most I’ve ever identified with his character.)
Meanwhile, Gretchen reunites with a group of friends that she hasn’t seen in three years. And Gretchen, who has been forced to confront the changes in her life, gets a clear look at two different paths moving forward. While one group offers a world of early nights and babysitters, the other path leads to Cory, the other member of “the girls” that hasn’t gotten it together yet. Cory is clearly supposed to represent the darkest timeline for Gretchen, but it’s worth pointing out that Gretchen is a lot closer to Cory’s lifestyle that she would want to admit. It was two weeks ago, that Gretchen was staying up all night for days on end doing a ton of drugs just to prove that she wasn’t “normal.” During the season premiere, Gretchen and Jimmy also stole a DVD kiosk and a Google Maps car (not technically Google Maps, but we know it was Google Maps), so while Gretchen looks appalled at the life that Cory’s leading, she isn’t so much looking at the Ghost of Gretchen Future, but getting a mirror held up to her current lifestyle. This isn’t an either/or choice that Gretchen has to make, but she’s already on the path toward one of these outcomes, and for the first time perhaps, it looks like she’s gotten a glimpse at what the long term consequences could be.
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