Togetherness

It's sad that so many people can't appreciate this show. We're apparently miles apart...in sensibility. To my mind there is a unique, original kind of imagination behind it. I see it pointing the way toward a new maturity in pop filmmaking. In fact it brings the best of indie film sensibility to the small screen. It's significant that Nicole Holofcener directed one of the episodes, because her 2001 film "Lovely and Amazing" can be seen as a progenitor of the Duplass brother's capacities and interests here. I also don't think I have ever seen filmmaking that had me laughing so gratefully at such odd moments. The show's comic sensibility is very restrained and subtle. The brothers see a direction thru yearning and frustration that avoids despair and violence at all costs. It's obvious that parenthood has played a major role in getting them to this point. The portraits of the infant, for instance, are stunning.

As I was midway through the first season I was wondering why it didn't create more buzz when it came out, it's one the best shows that are never talked about. It starts out on a lighter note, people laughing and enjoying themselves but as the series progresses it becomes bit more downcast but the progression is natural. It's very real and doesn't feel like the show was written for anything but that, not aesthetics, not for laughs, etcetera; at no point does it feel like they changed the story or dialogue to make it more interesting, deep or funny because it's such a natural flow of events. It was just made to exhibit the struggles of long term relationships, not just romantic, but between best friends, work partners and family as well, when they've each hit lows.

Before I finished the show I already knew HBO called it quits after season 2 and was a little disappointed it'll come to an end but i think they ended it in a good place, a bit rubber stamp but in a good place. Not a happy, but more of a hopeful sign off. I think it'd run its course and a third season would've felt forced after a few episodes in terms of where they were gonna take the show.

..this is a really good series. It's truly hoped that HBO will make the right decision and go for season three. The four leads are outstanding, but in fact the entire cast is incredible. The little girl is a real star.. and AP is just captivating. There are numerous scenes in just these first two seasons which show how truly great an actor this woman really is. Sure it winds up a bit too predictable at the end of season two. But they can change that around as easily as they choose in upcoming episodes. All facets of the production are top notch, these guys have the formula down. There's a very good Vanity Fair article about them. They're a real force, and if they don't burn out, we should be seeing much great stuff continue on from them.. so look forward to it.

... after 5 years went back and watched all episodes again... it weakens marginally in second season... yet still remains one of the best of the genre.. programming today must be centered around winning-awards & big-viewership... sadly.. great-little-series with limited-viewers will always get tossed after 1-2 seasons... and yes forties Amanda Peet is awesome .

Brett (Mark Duplass) and Michelle Pierson (Melanie Lynskey) are an LA couple with kids. Their marriage is a little tired. He takes in his bald chubby unemployed actor friend Alex Pappas (Steve Zissis). Her sister Tina Morris (Amanda Peet) has a troubled love life with rich producer Larry (Peter Gallagher).

This is a relationship sitcom from the Duplass brothers. It has their style and sensibilities. On the surface, Amanda Peet is way out of Steve Zissis' league. The show levels them up by making her a bigger mess and him more lovable than he deserves to be. It's endearing but it strikes me as another version of the slovenly sitcom husband with the inexplicable hot wife. They do drive the show more than the troubled married couple. It's hard to root for the couple that is always on the verge of breaking apart. The four leads are compelling enough to be interesting. The show works best when they are together. In that way, I want more Togetherness.

Too bad that this was canceled. It was really just getting it's legs in season 2. Always with the Duplass brothers a bit of a slow burn....took a season to get into the characters, but I had high hopes for future seasons. Really hoping Netflix or Amazon will pick it up like they've done for other shows to give it another chance. Not sure it was ever meant for HBO....maybe Showtime even would have been a better fit. Great cast and fun, creative stories each episode. I don't even have kids but didn't mind that much of the show was centered around parenting because the characters were strong and ring true to their age group and genre. I hope that the energy is resurrected in another Duplass project or that someone else picks it up.