NWT_106_Unit_00131RC Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episodes 5-8 Review: My Friend Joane / The Ick / WAGS / Rebecca’s Box

Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episodes 5-8 Review: My Friend Joane / The Ick / WAGS / Rebecca’s Box

Reviews

Nobody Wants This kicks off the middle half of the season with Joanne and Noah fully in couple bliss.

Then Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episode 5, “My Friend Joanne,” Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episode 6, “The Ick,” Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episode 7, “WAGS,” and Nobody Wants This Season 1 Episode 8, “Rebecca’s Box” explore the trials and tribulations of this new romance.

These episodes are a lot more memorable than the first four. They feel distinct. You know what happens in “The Ick” versus what happens in “WAGS.” The introduction episodes don’t leave a lasting impression or feel unique. They work more as a unit and broad brush of the same picture.

“The Ick,” WAGS, “Rebecca’s Box, and “My Friend Joanne,” give the show its character. It turns a maybe ambivalent towards the series into full adoration of it. Nobody Wants This almost feels generic until episodes five through eight. It becomes a must-binge show that’s charismatic, funny, and sweet.

Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell as Joanne in episode 105 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024
Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell as Joanne in episode 105 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024

The stakes also feel bigger starting with “WAGS,” because the issues don’t feel abstract. One of the problems with the first four episodes is that Noah and Joanne’s obstacles don’t seem grand enough to keep them apart. Different religion in real life feels major but not in a romantic comedy when life almost feels carefree.

Related  Vote for Your Favorite TV Couples! Tell-Tale TV's Battle of the Ships (Final Round)

However, episodes five through eight start to paint the picture of why Noah and Joanne’s conflicting religious beliefs (as she has none) could break them up.

Nobody Wants This does an excellent job of showing how it’s a complex issue but a major part of Noah’s identity. As a rabbi, Noah must lead by example. Therefore, the possibility of him marrying Joanne, a non-Jewish person, may make some of his supporters upset. This feels like a prejudiced stance, and shouldn’t be allowed, but it is somewhat understandable given his profession.

Just not a great look for his company and supporters. Shouldn’t tolerance and acceptance lead? It’s a fascinating storyline because it seems like a small issue from an outside perspective.

Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell as Jaoanne in episode 107 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024
Nobody Wants This. Kristen Bell as Jaoanne in episode 107 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024

Nobody Wants This does a good job of making Joanna and Noah’s issues have the gigantic weight they deserve. It no longer feels like a trivial matter.

Another really interesting thing about the middle half of the season is Joanne and Morgan’s relationship. It becomes quite toxic.

It’s fascinating to see sisters who start supportive become toxic. We don’t often see this dynamic. We see the always supportive sisters or the toxic sisters, or the toxic sisters who become supportive.

Related  Nobody Wants This Season 2 Episodes 4-6 Review: Valentine's Day/Abby Loves Smoothies/Anything Can Happen

It’s also intriguing that Morgan is justified in her protectiveness over her sister. She feels she’s losing herself. However, her actions don’t justify the craziness.

Morgan and Joanne’s relationship plays such a significant role in Nobody Wants This that their issues feel just as devastating as Noah and Joanne’s problems. They’re one of the most important dynamics of this Netflix series.

 

Nobody Wants This. (L to R) Kristen Bell as Joanne, Adam Brody as Noah in episode 105 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024
Nobody Wants This. (L to R) Kristen Bell as Joanne, Adam Brody as Noah in episode 105 of Nobody Wants This. Cr. Adam Rose/Netflix © 2024

However, it gives Nobody Wants This more depth by not solely focusing on just the couple. They have a life outside of each other. This relationship may be perfect for them but also has some complications with their life before their romance.

That makes Nobody Wants This a little bolder for not having everyone happy about their relationship. They must convince their friends and family that they want them together.

Nobody Wants This’s middle episodes showcase that this romantic comedy show isn’t just swoon-worthy but also funny and has some depth.

What did you think of these episodes of Nobody Wants This? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Critic Rating:

Related  Streaming TV Shows and Movies to Look Forward to in October: The Diplomat, Maintenance Required, Down Cemetery Road

User Rating:

Click to rate this episode!
[Total: 0 Average: 0]

 

Nobody Wants This is available to stream on Netflix.

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Jerrica Tisdale is your favorite neighborhood pop culture junkie. She will annoy you with random TV and film facts, while complaining about whatever is the hottest new book. She has been a TV fan all her life but writing about it for over a decade. You may find her work all over the internet especially reality TV rants. She is a senior writer at Tell-Tale TV.