MovieChat Forums > Please Like Me (2013) Discussion > Where is season 4.... going? Feels like ...

Where is season 4.... going? Feels like a different series.

posted 8 years ago by chadz75
13 replies | jump to latest

So I have watched PLM from day 1, then re-watched it, and watched it again and loved every minute. Season 4 is.... I don't know how to explain, strange. Different. I know they were picked up by US mainstream over winter, have they had some direction from their new overlords? It feels fake, confected now, like, predictable and just doesn't surprise or flow like seasons 1-3. Relationships, like Hannah and the group, just changed and it's like they are deliberately building to something, just working parts of the plot so far for future episodes.

Anyone else feeling uncomfortable, 2 episodes in?

[–] seanhb 8 years ago

I agree. I still love this show but this series feels very conscious of itself, like it's got more money and attention now and lost some of its realism and heart. A few too many phone calls and sing-a-longs in the first two eps made them feel a bit lazy. Also I really miss Claire. Saying all that it's still my favourite show at the moment and I could watch Josh read a phone book in his funny manner.

[–] spammynator 8 years ago

I heard Claire's actress moved to Hollywood, so appeared less

[–] imdb-484 8 years ago

I agree. I'll keep watching, but there's something about it that doesn't feel as "real" anymore. Hard to put my finger on it. And the idea of hiring a minibus to go camping to celebrate Hanna's birthday...? would have felt more real if it has been anyone else's birthday but Hanna's...

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[–] Northerner335 8 years ago

I mean ... I am reserving judgement until I see at least a few more episodes. I didn't think the first few episodes of this season were that bad (I have only seen the first 2 at this point). It was always going to be difficult to keep the magic of the first few seasons going indefinitely.

[–] tenant13 8 years ago

It's interesting you guys feel that way. I noticed the difference myself (in a separate post) but I feel that this season went back to what this show initially was. I thought seasons 2 & 3 shifted from being quirky and fun to a more gloomy territory. Not that it was a bad thing, just different and more serious. It feels more irreverent again. Whether the current change is good or bad I think we can safely assume, Pivot's demise contributed to it.

[–] Pseudo-geordie boy 8 years ago

i've not noticed any difference. it's just as great as it always has been. I doubt Pivot closing had anything to do with it, the series was almost certainly written before this happened.

series 4 feels like the last series though, particularly after the most recent episode. which would be a great shame.

[–] breningirl 8 years ago

Yes, it feels like they are wrapping things up. So sad. Will miss it like crazy.

I am tired of charrin' my ass on your back burner.

[–] chadz75 8 years ago

Oh god. Oh man... That was so unexpected.Like... we all knew Rose was volatile. But.. didn't we all expect her to be tough enough to be there through the entire series? Damn you Josh you *beep* You made her so likeable. And That episode started so unremarkably - insecurities, sex scene, fun, worry, insecurity.... Jesus. I truly, truly had no idea.

Oh Hannah, please dear god please be OK. I was so worried I added you on Twitter FFS! Yes I know the REAL Gadsby is not the *beep* TV Gadsby, thanks for thinking I was that stupid, But I searched social media and saw the photo of the dog cuddling some socks... sigh.
Josh, he gets through. All I could think about was Hannah, and my fears for the season finale is just uncontrollable. Be OK Hannah, please you must. You just must.

I also had no thoughts at all that this might actually be the end of the series until other people wrote of it. What the *beep*! It's just getting going. Josh is finally human, I've realised he's a bit of a bully twat and his one-liners can actually hurt people. Tom is almost likeable. I miss Claire, the fact she couldn't come back from wherever she is to film a couple episodes makes me worry. Rose, oh Rose. Don't end it now! No-one ever goes out on top!

If this series ends, right now... I will be devastated. Exhilarated that I had the chance to live it but, it will seriously affect my life. More than it already has.

[–] skorkk 8 years ago

I actually thought this season was more in line with the earlier episodes after a slightly disappointing third season. The 4th and 5th episodes of this season are among the best of the entire show.

[–] Northerner335 8 years ago

I actually thought this season was more in line with the earlier episodes after a slightly disappointing third season. The 4th and 5th episodes of this season are among the best of the entire show.

^This. I agree completely. I felt that the third season sort of meandered a bit, for lack of a better word. I still liked it but it was more out of place than the fourth season. Agree about the 4th and 5th episodes of this season too.

As a side note, I'm not sure what people expect from this show. More than other shows, people seem to be all over the map in how they perceive the show and the characters, and what they expect to see. I don't understand a lot of the criticisms I read. It always seems to be like, "This character didn't develop the way I wanted him/her to." I mean, the show is not perfect but I think it is probably the best show on television right now.

[–] akastos 8 years ago

I wasn't aware season 4 only has 6 episodes So much is happening in last 2 episodes Felt somewhat rushed Could have been 8 episodes in toal, at least... Hope it will continue Fingers crossed. All in all season 4 felt the series has matured in a big way. Please, some more!?

[–] tb-sch 8 years ago

It ends how it began, building a big arc. There is also a coming of age vibe, which is tied up with Josh actually being serious about anything for once. If it would carry on much longer, it would just become a soap.

[–] TheTominator 8 years ago

Tom and Ella breaking up felt incredibly rushed, but other than that I thought the season was pretty in line with the rest of the show, the tone changed a bit but that's natural, the charachters are growing up so if the show kept being as goofy as before it would just feel fake. But yeah, Hannah's birthday episode had a really weird premise with the whole renting a van and camping bit