You're the Worst 4.8: "A Bunch of Hornballs"

Chris: I want to say that Paul gained some more ground on becoming the worst person on the show but the fact that we got constant reminders of Becca’s existence and her bitchy new makeout friend, I have the say that the standings remain about the same. Now, I’m not excusing Paul’s behavior with what he said or the fact that he literally barked at Lindsay but it is kind of revisionist history for Lindsay to be throwing this party and claiming that Paul was a bad man. Sure, he was a boring man with nothing in common with Lindsay but he was an alright, dependable dude until Lindsay started banging other dudes in front of him and, oh yeah, stabbing him. I didn’t realize how badly I missed watching Jimmy and Gretchen simply talk to each other, simply talking about their day and not arguing over everything. It had been a few episodes since they even spoke so that moment got me all warm and fuzzy even though Gretchen literally just voiced her feelings for Boone. It’s no coincidence Gretchen had that sudden change of expression immediately after she and Boone decided they were dating, it’s the same expression she had when it hit her that she was moving in with Jimmy at the end of season 1, and then she immediately calls Jimmy? Sure, its to get his help for something going wrong at the house but still, she could’ve figured out where the can of WD40 was at. Homegirl is conflicted big time.

Alexa: Poor Boone - Gretchen is absolutely going to break his heart. I don’t doubt that Gretchen has genuine feelings for Boone, but she is so obviously still in love with Jimmy. She shouldn’t be fully committing to anyone right now until she sorts those feelings out, especially someone with a kid. But Gretchen isn’t exactly known for making the best life choices, so not only does she agree to be official with Boone but she forces him into introducing her to his daughter. Going all in with Boone and Olivia is not the way to get over Jimmy, but by the end of the episode it’s pretty clear she doesn’t want to get over him. Still, Jimmy and Gretchen’s out-of-the-blue phone conversation is the highlight of the episode because it reminds us why they’re such a perfect match. The use of split screen so we can see their reactions throughout the entire conversation is a nice call back to the pilot and it’s so heartwarming in a uniquely Jimmy-and-Gretchen way. Gretchen is trying to talk herself into a relationship with Boone, but things between her and Jimmy are so natural. And I agree with Chris that even though Paul is terrible now, he wasn’t a bad guy before. He had plenty of reasons to divorce Lindsay, but I will say I love independent Lindsay. A Lindsay that’s free from Paul and figuring her life out is a much more interesting character.

Joel: The previous episode felt like it was moving at a deliberately slow pace. Whether that pace was to mirror the slower life of a smaller town that Gretchen left, or just to make the episode feel more like a “serious episode” of a comedy show I’m not sure. But this episode is trying to make up for it by cranking it up to a hundred and keeping it there the whole time. Gretchen (really Edgar) is throwing Lindsay a divorce party with loud music and a lot of other things that apparently cost over six thousand dollars. Jimmy meanwhile is at the erotica convention which, surprise, turns out to be another non-stop party, with more drinking and sex related party games. Everything in this episode is moving at full speed, and it feels like a balance to the previous episode by having one of the broader, more over the top episodes of You’re the Worst that fit more with the farce genre than dramey.
Speaking of moving fast, Gretchen and Boone take some major steps forward in this episode, including Gretchen meeting Boone’s daughter. Yes, Boone didn’t want that to happen, and yes it’s likely the meeting was born from Gretchen’s natural reaction to being told that she can’t do something, but for a girl who wasn’t sure she wanted this relationship at all two episodes ago, Gretchen is jumping headfirst into the deep end with Boone. At the same time, we end the episode with a phone call between Jimmy and Gretchen that feels like the show sinking back into where it’s most comfortable. It’s only been half a season since we’ve gotten to see Jimmy and Gretchen pass the time just talking to each other, but the final conversation flowed so naturally so quickly between the two characters. I wonder if there was a brainstorming session on what the two should talk about in their first real phone conversation. Somehow, werewolf erotica and the uncomfortable fact that Paul might be hot, are the perfect topics that make this feel like the early moments of just watching Gretchen and Jimmy talk. You’re the Worst has always been based on the idea that these two are such terrible people, and the traits that make them terrible for everyone else make them so right for each other. This episode proves that even though these two aren’t together right now, the writers haven’t forgotten how to make the two character just feel right for each other