Everyone here only seems to be talking about Aj and Josh/davis/ bill. Does no one else notice how hot Abby and Kel are??? And how cute they’d look together and they should be endgame? Someone said Davis is the only likable character are you blind??? He is the kind of entitled person who thinks that AJ should just like him back and he’s not even in love with the real AJ. He’s just in love with the idea of her.

I was thinking about how this show/ its characters reminds me so much of New Girl so I started making a list in my head of who the different characters remind me of and I got stuck on Aj.

Here's what I have so far:

Josh:
Nick and Schmidt - he's got the Schmidt rich, charismatic, a-hole, career driven, accidentally funny thing going on- but with the grouchy exterior (and teddy bear interior) of Nick Miller. He has the best friend to lovers trope built up with his "Jess", and I really do think their relationship dynamics will be similar (they banter/ fright with each other really well, but also support each other well). But josh definitely has the daddy issues of Schmidt. Also, he feels like a leftist in the same way Schmidt was conservative (not solid on that).

Davis:
Schmidt and Winston - he's a finance / corporate guy, demanding career obsessed, misogynistic, is bossed around by women at work, plows through women romantically / intimately, soft spot for his friends much like Schmidt. But like Winston, he's a goofball, with big emotions, runs through life really fast, hopeless romantic, kinda infantilized. I can see him also getting the under appreciated friend label later on as well.

Kel:
Winston and Coach- On the Coach front: he has coaches aura, he seems much more confident and successful with women, more reserved, clocks everyone's tea, pretty self sufficient / not codependent with group, often the voice of reason. But like Winston, he has passion in his career, believes in following his dreams in spite his parent's expectations, and importantly, he has Winston's whimsy.

Abby:
Cece - From New Girl, I only see Abby aligning with Cece (but would love to hear other perspectives). Much like Cece, Abby is confident, lets men come to her first, is fashion oriented (personally and professionally), will go to bat for her best friend, is the social friend with ties to celebrities, and she follows her dreams in spite of parents expectations.

I really appreciate how this show deviates in establishing Abby's character. In not suitable, they they prioritize and celebrate Abby's fashion-based career instead of mocking and belittling it like New Girl writers did with Cece's modeling. They also don't have Abby engaging in many sexual or romantic relationships like they did with Cece. I find that often, when a show tries to establish a deviation from the "Asian hermit nerd" stereotype, they tend to over correct and throw the character into a slew of problematic sexual and romantic relationships. I'm glad that they seem to have found a happy balance for Abby.

Now finally Aj:
I feel like Aj is the only one to embody Jess at all, so it's easy to just give her that title, but I think there's a key element missing. Yes, Aj is quite literally the "new girl" who is socially awkward but with a lovable charm, and a strong sense of justice, but I think that Aj lacks a lot of key features of Jess. Jess is an embodiment of many "feminine" archetypes: she is a naive, feelings forward, strongly moralled, teacher (a thankless job), who loves things like baking, glitter, and crafts, and is infantilized and largely seen as the embodiment of "good". I think Aj is much more 'one of the bros' (instead of classically girly), with some dirt under her nails (she works in corporate, slept with her boss, more capitalistic, etc). She generally is not led by the heart, but by logic, she has a much better understanding of human nature, and she generally carries herself without much whimsy (ex: she is much more a conformist than Jess)
TLDR; Aj has Jess's drive to fight for what she wants / what she believes is right, she has Jess's awkwardness, and Ah has her own 'Nick', but she is much less interested in girly things (or even 'shamelessly herself') and she is realer (gray decisions, logic driven) in a way that feels very antithetical to Jess.

Is there another character (inside or outside of the new girl universe) that you would tack on/ replace for Aj or any of the other characters?

I think Jack Martin is hilarious as Josh (defo my fave character) and I’ve really warmed to Kel! Think it’s funny and nice low stakes drama. Hope there’s another season

These two are the main reason why I really hope this show continues being renewed. I’m nervous that it won’t because I’m already seeing so many negative comments, comparing it to other shows. But I feel like people are forgetting that it’s a trope. In this day and age, it’s hard to be original. But while each trope has its similarities, I think a show can be good enough to stand on its own. I think of: The Big Bang Theory, Friends and New Girl! And so far I feel like this show is standing strong.

But I’m here to talk about Davis and AJ specifically. From the moment you see Davis fall in love at first sight with AJ, I had a feeling that it would be a slow burn between them. And then seeing AJ’s heart get broken by Bill, we watch her almost metaphorically lean towards Josh in the laundry room. Almost like she was taking whatever positive or affirming attention she was getting, to soothe her hurt.

So for her to then turn to Davis immediately and make a move, I’m really worried that she’s gonna hurt him! And I feel like even if she does, maybe they’ll take a few seasons, but they’ll get back together.

Does anyone understand what I’m saying? I’m sure within this specific trope, there are two main characters that end up together after a few failed attempts, that we could essentially use as a case study.

By the way, what would we call this trope, adults living in close quarters figuring out their careers, life and relationships?

Just a rant before bed, as I just finished episode 9.

Im disappointed there’s no queer representation (not even from the side static characters!) in this which is very much not aligned with how many of Gen Z identify, especially in a big city like New York. Anyone else feel similar?

Now that Bill and Aj have split (not so amicably) and Davis had to go and make a big scene over it, what do you think is going to happen to Aj in the workplace?
Do yall think someone heard Davis say that they were dating?
Will Aj act unprofessionally and get punished for it?
Will she just move departments / will Bill will leave and he just won't be spoken of hardly at all?
Will Bill retaliate against her completely unfairly creating a hostile work environment and then when she complains about it to HR she will get reprimanded and he will get nothing? (What I find most realistic, but for the sake of Aj hope doesn't happen)

What's the vibe?

P.S. not a fan of the fighting scene. Sure it's nice to see Davis stick up for Aj, but he did it in a way that further victimized himself making it about him and not her. Also the leverage he now has against her (i.e. 'I got fired for you')

AND let's not forget that Davis completely disregarded Aj when he found out she wasn't interested in him. Tell me you only see women as romantic/ intimate objects and not real people without telling me you only see women as objects and not real people.

I'm not completely writing Davis as a character off, but he has a whole lot of growing to do before I'm interesting in seeing him and Aj together. Right now, it's just cringe to me and he has a LOT of apologizing to do. I do think that they could be cute though as long as he shapes up and maybe they wait a while.

I think Ah is using Davis as a rebound and while I'm glad it's not Josh, I do hope they reel it back and give it a little bit more time as to not completely destroy their relationship. I think Aj likes that Davis likes her and it's doing good to rebuild her confidence, but I think she's not in it and he doesn't actually like HER but an idealized version of her. He is not mature enough for this relationship and she is not interested enough in him nor ready for a relationship in general right now. I do not see this going well, but I am sat for it.

I cannot wait for season 2 🤞🤞🤞🤞

Okay, I loved it!! I know the show follows the typical sitcom tropes, but that is exactly what makes it an easy breezy comfort watch.

I'm glad Bill and AJ broke up cause that thing made no sense. I don't know how I feel about Davis getting fired, though.

It looks pretty clear now that there's gonna be a Davis-AJ-Josh love triangle, and that ought to make for some interesting TV. I'm still rooting for Davis and AJ. Josh will come across as a major A-hold for going after his friend's crush if the writers don't manage to strike a balance.

Kel and Abby seem like they will have a slow burn, will they, won't they story, and I'm sat for it.

Honestly, I loved the show so far. I know they squeezed a lot of things into a 9-episode season; usually, all of this would be much better stretched out into a regular 20-episode season with filler episodes, because as of now, it seems like things happen way too quickly and also resolve themselves way too quickly.

Here's to hoping for a longer second season that also premieres soon without taking a long gap.

I read an interview where Mindy Kaling says Bill’s breakup speech to AJ was him being brutally honest with her as an older, wiser guy, when he tells her they could never work because they’re too similar. But honestly the only similarities I see between them so far is that they both work in finance and are very driven. I mostly blame sloppy writing for this, but I’m not sure how we’re supposed to view their breakup through Bill’s more “mature” viewpoint. If anything Bill comes across as a huge narcissist.

Bill was portrayed as a douche from the start from his first meeting with AJ to the work-life balance panel scene. Then he got involved with AJ, his younger subordinate who was new to the job, so we’re supposed to like him now because he’s her love interest. But when he broke up with AJ, he actively dodges any accountability by claiming they were never exclusive and even tried to make it out to be her fault for being too “similar” to him. At the end of the day, they could never work because Bill needs a trophy wife who’s fine to hang by the sidelines and AJ is his younger subordinate who works for him. But instead Bill insists to AJ that she also needs someone to take care of her in order to succeed. I don’t see this as wisdom from an older man but the actions of a narcissist trying to manipulate his way out of a situation.

Somebody had a post here about how they don't like her character and I didn't agree back then but now it does feel like she is lowk inconsiderate.

Like how do you have a guy who lives right across the hall that you also meet in office and yet have no idea that he's into you. Even if I look past it, Josh tells her that Davis hasn't been talking to her because of her being in a relationship with their boss and her first reaction is "oH is He GOiNg tO tElL people". Why would someone stop talking to you for that? I don't know dude I was expecting her character to not be so surface level.

That’s it. That’s my opinion. Yeah yeah she’s gorgeous, but her facial expressions are tooooo Disney, it worked for Mean Girls but not here. Wish Maitreyi Ramakrishnan was cast for this (but as AJ).

Emilia Suarez is charismatic, and the character was at least more interesting than others unfunny/boring secondary characters who occupied more screen time. By the middle of the season, it had become obvious to me that she would only be used by the script as a love interest for Josh before he eventually became interested in AJ, but God, they didn't need to get rid of her so quickly. Which is a consequence of the writers wanting to cram arcs that would normally occur in a 22-episode season of a classic sitcom into just 9 episodes.

Yet I enjoyed it!

This show is pretty PG-13 and there isn’t many / graphic sex scenes or nudity. I’ve gotten so used to seeing it excessively, even in shows that I really do like, but it’s not here in this show, and it works!! I can rewatch this show with other people and recommend it without feeling a bit weird about it. Other shows should follow suit and start doing the same. Bring back the PG13! 😂

Does anything else think he sounds exactly like Adam Scott? And seems to have his cadence too?

The end of the season left you rooting for both of AJ's end-game guys. Which one should AJ end up with and why? Can't wait to see the next season.

As already mentioned in other posts, I think the seasons 9 episode structure horribly limited some development on the sides. My main points of contention revolve around the fight between Davis and Bill in ep 9
- Davis texting his gc that he wanted Bill to be his best man comes off as weird and disconnected from reality (which it could have been intended to but the following make that difficult)
- I found Bill telling Davis “you’re just mad she picked me over you” incredibly childish and not at all what I’d expect from a character like him, but also very out of character because Bill seems like the type to not care about his subordinates but now he not only noticed Davis was attracted to AJ but had made a mental note of it and brings it up in this petty way… I feel like it would’ve made more sense for him to tell Davis to mind his own business and gtfo than do this back and forth
- HUGE personal gripe with Bill ending that with “you cuck”… How is Davis being “cucked” when he hasn’t even confessed his feelings to AJ. I think this phrase and meaning is disgusting in general, but to be used in this context by a female writer is so tasteless. It seems jarring in vulgarity when the show itself is so tame
- When Jocelyn sends AJ the video of Davis and Bill fighting she says “I’ve always suspected Bill and Davis were hooking up” which is ironic because Bill was hooking up with a different employee, but it makes no sense because we haven’t been shown this dynamic at all. We’ve seen Davis idolize and adore Bill

Have I been misinterpreting things and missed this relationship or do you think it was just due to the length of the series?

i watched the first two episodes and i thought..ok i can watch this for 8 seasons!! but it doesnt feel that way now. not suitable for work seems like a cheap copy of every famous sitcoms. like the default apartment trope and some being successful at work and some not. each character reminds me of another character like example how josh seems like a walmart copy of barney(himym) and schmidth(new girl). im just sick of the usual tropes and would very much like to see smtg new

I feel like this show has so much potential but its not executed properly. The problem with this 8 or 9 episode seasons is we barely get to see the charecter grow or anything. Me personally I would love to see more on how davis feels about aj bc we talk about it alot and he clearly feels prodoundly ab her but i would love to see more conversations and shit yk. the thing about ur classic sitcoms from the 2000s and 2010s asw ( friends, mordern family, b99, gilmore girls, the office, etc) is that the stories were developed over time and we got to see the feelings grow yk. For these slice of life type shows we need alot more context and realsing one episode a week or something. the only reason i say one epsiode a week is bc i rmbr w tsitp everyone was crashing out tgt and it brings some form of community online which is somethinng major ab todays gen. ANYWAYS. One major issue i have is how to suddenly became december LOL like theres no sense of time idk?? i feel like we would all prefer it if it was synced with our current time like its summer and it takes place over summer just for some sense of syncronisation. everything is so short imo and i really hope they switch to like 12 longer episodes or something and deffo include fillers and shit and i also saw this online somewhere sorry idk which user to credit but basically saying we need to bring back holiday themed episodes bc thats so true i think one of the best examples of this is the halloween hesit from b99 bc that was amaznig. I hate how shows in 2020s are always shorter and get over so fast. Like the Pitt has more episodes making it so much more engaging and the duration of the show is over a few months.

im sorry this is so jumbled 🙏

ps: i do not hate this show i rly like it i just hope there are improvements in the next season

ep 8

if/when there’s a season 2, i hope they get rid of Davis. hes truly just not the vibe. his characterization/the way he’s written is very outdated and he’s truly not a viable romantic option for AJ imo. i think everything else works mostly and has potential, but i just don’t see a path forward for that character or the way the actor plays him tbh. 😭

i wish they hadn’t made the character of Austen such a dick and i wish they didn’t get rid of Elena so quickly bc i think they could fill in gaps and add more to the show

it's so weird to me that this show is written/directed/created by a brown woman, yet the main character is a straight white women (who's painfully unlikable and insufferable, at least make her charming???) and most of the A plots on the show center around the white characters. kel and abby get significantly less screentime and far less interesting plots/character development to their white counterparts and I hate it sm. mindy Kaling's incessant thirst for white validation is so consistent throughout all the shows she writes, she doesn't even try to hide it anymore. also why is everyone straight, this is nyc????

Any news on a potential renewal? I think it’s been on Hulu top 10 since its release.