I was obsessed with this show and loved it so much season 1. Then they gave Gretchen depression... Its so frustrating because I have depression as do many others in my life and I just think they portrayed it so inaccurately. Also, why would I want to think about something so serious during a comedy. I dont know but this storyline is just making me dislike the show. (Currently on S2E11 as of 10/20)
shareYep, I hated it as well. Don't read if you don't want spoilers - Especially when she whines about how Jimmy can't just "fix" her, and then by saying he'll stay with her, he "fixes" her.
shareI don't hate it, it just does not work for the character for me.
There were 2 goood scenes in Season 2, when she stalked the couple and when she was hiding on the couch when jimmys realtives came or what which worked for me. But overall, she does not seem that depressed, more like borderline.
I can't stand the way it's portrayed. Do the writers know anything about depression/mental illness? It makes no sense: she goes from not being able
To get out of bed to acting like a maniac and *beep* with other people (stalking her neighbors, sending out jimmy's letters, wanting to follow her therapist home and egging her house). She goes from being completely apathetic to pathetic. And an *beep* That's not depression. It totally kills her character
The problem was it derailed the show last season so they added a shrink and suddenly made her a happier less depressed person because the shrink is around to pick on.
Not realistic but season 2 didn't work for me long term, season 3 is much better.
Depression, as well as other mental illnesses in its orbit, exhibits its symptoms in a wide variety of ways depending on the individual. This is part of the reason it is such a difficult problem to treat. I come from a family plagued by mental illness, from depression and substance abuse all the way to antisocial personality disorder. I, myself, have been diagnosed with depression. The way I see it, the character of Gretchen has been misdiagnosed, which is extremely common when it comes to mental illness. I believe what she is more likely to have is bipolar disorder. My mother was diagnosed with the same thing when I was very young and judging by Gretchen's behavior it seems, to me at least, that is what she has, possibly along with an assortment of other social problems. It is not uncommon for a bipolar person who has been misdiagnosed with depression to feel as though they have been "fixed" by any number of random events or encounters when, in reality, they are just entering a manic phase. Even if she hasn't been misdiagnosed, depression is not a one size fits all illness. some depressives feel sad all the time, while others experience bouts of it lasting anywhere from hours to weeks to months.
The idea that "It makes no sense" is actually what makes the concept real as all hell. Mental illness almost never makes sense to the people who are outside looking in and often not even to the individual experiencing it themselves causing the person with the illness to feel more and more alone and withdrawn from the rest of the world.
This is why I feel the show is misunderstood by so may people. If you go in expecting a straight comedy, you're going to be disappointed. I feel it is better categorized as a startlingly realistic dark comedy.
This is all just one person's opinion, however.
Peace and love to you all :)
We get it that it is a dark comedy. That has always been quite obvious.
The problem is the stupidity and boring aspect of the "depression." She knows she has the problem, has had the problem for years, and wouldn't do jack sh!t about it.
The absolute worst part was how many times she whined, "You can't fix me!" and then, in the end, all Jimmy has to do is say, "I'll stay with you." and she's "fixed!".
Yes, I know she is going to the shrink and that, but after all that he tried to do for her, with her getting worse and worse, and those "magic words" snapped her out of it.
Plus, the first season was all about how they are pretty much all horrible for no reason - but in the second season they explain why they are as effed up as they are thus allowing us to "sympathize" with them the way we do in regular TV sticoms. 👎
The problem is the stupidity and boring aspect of the "depression." She knows she has the problem, has had the problem for years, and wouldn't do jack sh!t about it.
The absolute worst part was how many times she whined, "You can't fix me!" and then, in the end, all Jimmy has to do is say, "I'll stay with you." and she's "fixed!".
shareDepression isn't a black and white, one size fits all thing that can easily be defined with strict perimeters.
Good lord, how many times are you going to cut and paste or otherwise perpetuate this argument? Why is it such a button-pusher for you? You've put variations of it in a dozen of threads, some completely unrelated to the subject (???).
Especially when she whines about how Jimmy can't just "fix" her, and then by saying he'll stay with her, he "fixes" her.
The absolute worst part was how many times she whined, "You can't fix me!" and then, in the end, all Jimmy has to do is say, "I'll stay with you." and she's "fixed!".
Good lord, how many times are you going to cut and paste or otherwise perpetuate this argument? Why is it such a button-pusher for you? You've put variations of it in a dozen of threads, some completely unrelated to the subject (???).
I don't know. The depression arc was fine. At the moment, sure I felt it was a little off and not quite the same or as fun. By the time the finale rolled around though, I realized it was all worth it. The entire depression arc was build up for the finale. Every part of it paid off. There was a similar stretch in the first season that was quite poor, IMO, that was pure build up for a finale.
As for how depression was portrayed... I also have no problem with it. It is portrayed as something that ebbs and flows. Sometimes hitting more of an impact than others. That seems accurate to me and my experiences, though I am sure these things are different for everybody in the world.
I agree with this: "As for how depression was portrayed... I also have no problem with it. It is portrayed as something that ebbs and flows. Sometimes hitting more of an impact than others. That seems accurate to me and my experiences, though I am sure these things are different for everybody in the world."
I think the show does a great job of showing high functioning depression. Season 3 gretchen is still depressed. And so is season 1 probably. She's just crazy too (not in a clinical way) so not everything she does is related to depression either but at the same its always there, it just ebs and flows.
I loved the episode about her mother, that was so creepy and spot on.
Depression fûcking sucks no matter what. I'm sometimes depressed but do I complain about that very subject? No, it's part of the show and makes it great they have variety.
Also, people react differently to this issue so there's just not the A, B or C way to show how it affects.
I have depression and I thought it portrayed it well. But I guess that shows that not everyone experiences depression the same way. It's almost like we're all different people.
shareokay, all I want to say is that just because she told Jimmy he can't fix her, but he stayed with her and she said and acted like she was fixed doesn't mean she was. okay? I think it's pretty obvious she wasn't "fixed" because no body can be. This isn't some la de da sitcom where she says it and it's true. She is not fixed by the simple act of someone caring about her. Or someone being their to listen and give advice, as her therapist did. That does not happen. What does happen is people thinking they're better because something good came into their life. And feeling happier for a certain amount of time. And that is what is being portrayed. And i think that's great. You look deeper and you'll see that.
"Ich lüge" is German for "I'm lying".
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