You're the Worst is an American comedy-drama television series created by Stephen Falk. Originally broadcast by FX, the series moved to its sister channel FXX beginning with the second season. The series follows Jimmy (Chris Geere), a self-involved writer, and Gretchen (Aya Cash), a self-destructive PR executive, as they attempt a relationship, along with their friends Edgar (Desmin Borges) and Lindsay (Kether Donohue). The series premiered on July 17, 2014.
In September 2014, FX renewed the show for a thirteen-episode second season, which premiered September 9, 2015 on FXX. The second season shifted its focus towards clinical depression and its effect on modern relationships. In September 2016, FX renewed the series for a fourth season, which premiered on September 6, 2017. In November 2017, FX renewed the series for a fifth and final season which premiered on January 9, 2019. The final episode aired on April 3, 2019.
Plot
Jimmy and Gretchen meet at the wedding of Vernon and Becca Barbara. Becca rejected Jimmy's marriage proposal two years earlier, and he is convinced she only invited him to throw her marriage to Vernon in his face, but he showed up anyway, determined to ruin her day as payback. Gretchen came as the guest of Becca's sister Lindsay, who is Gretchen's best friend and the enabler of her sex-drugs-and-rock'n'roll lifestyle. Gretchen is the publicist for a rap trio and lives in a chaotic apartment, while Jimmy, a writer, can support himself in upscale Silver Lake and drive a BMW despite having published only one novel, written during his post-breakup depression, that has sold little and been remaindered at the local bookstore. He supports himself by writing for glossy magazines, in addition to the tiny royalty checks that occasionally arrive in his mailbox.
She and Gretchen meet as Jimmy is being thrown out of the wedding reception after whispering something offensive to Becca, while Gretchen has decided to run off with one of the bride's wrapped gifts (to her disappointment, it is a blender instead of a food processor). Claiming to have no interest in a relationship, the two hook up that night. Over the next few weeks, despite setting out to just "hang out and have fun" without obligation, they find themselves becoming closer.
In a parallel story, Lindsay is married to affluent, conventional Paul, who is decent but plain with somewhat nerdy interests like astronomy, beer-brewing, and cycling. The loveless marriage was mainly Lindsay's attempt to outdo her older sister Becca by marrying first and having more material goods. The marriage falls apart when Lindsay returns to drinking and drug-using, and cheats with another man. For her part, Becca is no happier with her husband Vernon, an immature man who is only interested in hanging out with friends in his man-cave, drinking while watching sports and videos.
Jimmy also has a roommate named Edgar, an Iraq War veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), living in his house. Throughout the first season, it is hinted that Jimmy expected the arrangement to be temporary and he sometimes wonders aloud when Edgar will move out. Over time it becomes clear that Jimmy has come to rely on Edgar's cooking and housework, as well as his friendship.
Cast and characters
Main
Chris Geere as Jimmy Shive-Overly, a selfish and insensitive British writer living in Los Angeles. Jimmy excuses his insensitive behavior as merely "telling it like it is". Aya Cash as Gretchen Cutler, a cynical and reckless music PR executive. Desmin Borges as Edgar Quintero, an Iraq War veteran suffering from PTSD and Jimmy's best friend and roommate. Kether Donohue as Lindsay Jillian (née Cottumaccio), Gretchen's "loose" best friend who "sold out" by marrying a nerdy man for his money.