Comedian Pamela Adlon’s comedy-drama vehicle for FX reaches the end of its fifth and final season on April 25th, 2022. Despite the first season’s involvement (and subsequent fallout) with Louis C.K., Better Things has received nothing but good reviews and awards for every episode, with the last three seasons all currently sitting at 100% on Rotten Tomatoes (seasons 3 and 4 are even certified fresh). Here’s everything you need to know to get into this great show.
A divorced actress raises her three daughters and takes care of her mother in Los Angeles. Though she usually is at odds with at least one family member at any given moment, she puts everyone above herself and tries to support them despite her often indelicate way of speaking.
The Family:
Pamela Adlon
Mikey Madison
Hannah Alligood
Olivia Edward
Celia Imrie
Others:
Diedrich Bader
Alysia Reiner
Rebecca Metz
This factor of Better Things' production is blessedly short. Though Louis C.K. was heavily involved with writing teleplays in the first two seasons, FX cut ties with him immediately following sexual misconduct allegations. Adlon then took even greater hold of the show at that point, directing every following episode and receiving writing credits on many of the future episodes.
Especially in the Adlon-helmed final three seasons, critics raved on the uncommon humor and its equal balance of comedy and drama in tone. Mostly, Better Things is known for its surprisingly sharp take on the subject of motherhood, with everyone agreeing that it is essential late-2010s television viewing.
If you didn't catch the title, every episode of every FX show is on Hulu, so go there now to catch up anytime!