Why 'Please Like Me' is more complex than we thought

Spoilers ahead | Two links of US webs about the second season of the Australian tv-series 'Please Like Me' (ABC2, 2012-) from Hollywood Reporter and The A.V.Club. 'The Slap' (ABC1, 2011), another Australian tv-show (in this case, mini-series) spread around the US blogosphere few years ago expanding the called Golden Age of Television to another Anglophone country aside from the UK. But, what does it make 'Please Like Me' so special and likeable? It's not actually a drama with superb performances and a gripping plot; it's just a rara avis sitcom whose strong point lies on its pure honesty. One year and a half ago when only six episodes were aired, we could have compared this one to 'Girls', another rara avis comedy of HBO and stared/written/produced by Lena Dunham. We could have even said that 'Please Like Me' were the gay Australian version of 'Girls'. But It's definitely not. While Lena Dunham ant its alter-ego Hannah Horvath twist the reality to talk about real issues of twenties, Josh Thomas just show the facts with no make up. During its rookie year, we needed to be told how his main character turned to be gay and his mother turned into bipolar because let's be honest: Rose is the co-star of the show. The sudden appearance of Geoffrey shook Josh's life and the aunty Peg's death shook mother and son's life. In its sophomore year, both secondary characters are gone (*) so they both have to deal with the consequences: Rose's suicide attempt. Homosexuality and mental health are narrative's epicenter but above all friendship conquers the show's heart. And audience's heart. Speaking about it... love is constantly in the air. Geoffrey was the adonis-love-interest of our protagonist during the first season but after the second season's time warp, we discover that Josh is in love with Patrick, his new flat mate. Another asshole adonis. But here comes the surprise to a new unexpected love triangle: Arnold, another guest of the mental institution when Rose now lives. And don't forget the burned black humour. During these 16 episodes the tv show has mutated from a self-centred story of a twentysomething boy who does not work either study to the parallel stories of a gang of friends and relatives. Last Sunday night the season finale of 'Please Like Me' was released in Australia but, don't worry gays guys, there will be hopefully a third season thanks to the "marriage" between Australian ABC and US PivotTV.

(*) Well, Geoffrey returns as fast as he goes away again. The reason? His father's death. This may prove that death is one of the tv show's main themes too.