Have you ever felt a jarring disconnect when someone refers to you as “ma’am” or overhears kids calling you “a grown-up”? You might find yourself thinking, “How can I be a ‘ma’am’ when I still feel 21? How can I be a ‘grown-up’ when I still carry the same essence I did as a child?” The new comedy series Togetherness, created by Jay and Mark Duplass and recently premiered on HBO, tackles the struggle of navigating two distinct worlds: the aimless post-college phase and the settled life of marriage, children, and responsibilities.
The married duo, Oliver and Janine (played by Jake and Mia), portray a seemingly perfect couple to Janine’s still-searching, chaotic sister, Sarah (portrayed by Emma), and Oliver’s down-on-his-luck, recently evicted friend, Ben (played by Tom). Despite their charming home and two kids, Oliver and Janine’s marriage faces its own set of challenges, particularly a noticeable lack of intimacy.
While Oliver and Janine attempt to play the part of adults, Sarah and Ben remain in a perpetual state of youthful escapism. Sarah confuses physical relationships with emotional connections, sends flirty texts that go unanswered, and experiences heartbreak through a simple text message. Meanwhile, Ben’s struggles with unemployment and homelessness leave him contemplating a move back to his parents’ house, a stark reminder of childhood.
As the four characters approach their 40s, Oliver and Janine have crossed the threshold into adulthood, while Sarah and Ben are stuck in a cycle of immaturity, unable to find their footing. After Sarah faces rejection, Ben encourages her to indulge in some nostalgic fun by buying Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill wine, which they persuade Oliver and Janine to join in on. While sipping their drinks in the family minivan, they watch as Sarah and Ben engage in some mischievous antics, reminiscent of their younger years. “They look like they’re having so much fun,” Janine muses with a hint of longing, and Oliver nods in agreement.
This dynamic perfectly illustrates the internal conflict many face during this transitional stage of life—the superego at odds with the id, the outward appearance of adulthood clashing with the inner child that still yearns for freedom. Togetherness promises a season filled with the amusing yet poignant struggles of these two groups, highlighting the battle within each person who finds themselves teetering on the edge of midlife, questioning how they arrived at this point.
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In summary, Togetherness captures the essence of grappling with adulthood while still holding onto the carefree spirit of youth, resonating with anyone who has ever felt caught between two worlds.
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