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Better Things (TV series)

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Better Things
GenreBlack comedy
Comedy-drama[1][2]
Created by
Starring
Opening theme"Mother" by John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band (seasons 1–2)
ComposerJay Gruska
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons4
No. of episodes42 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
  • Pamela Adlon
  • M. Blair Breard (seasons 1–2)
  • Dave Becky (seasons 1–2)
  • Louis C.K. (seasons 1–2)
ProducerJoanne Toll
EditorDebra F. Simone
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time20–30 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkFX
ReleaseSeptember 8, 2016 (2016-09-08) –
present (present)

Better Things is an American comedy-drama television series created by Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. for FX, starring Adlon as a divorced actress who raises her three daughters on her own.[3] FX gave a 10-episode order on August 7, 2015.[4] The series premiered on September 8, 2016.[5] On September 20, 2016, FX renewed the series for a second season, which premiered on September 14, 2017.[6][7] In October 2017, FX renewed the series for a third season,[8] which premiered on February 28, 2019, and consisted of 12 episodes, all directed by Adlon.[9] In March 2019, the series was renewed for a 10-episode fourth season that premiered on March 5, 2020.[10][11] In May 2020, the series was renewed for a fifth season.[12]

The series and Adlon's performance have been praised, and Adlon was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2017 and 2018. The show received a Peabody Award in April 2017, with the board stating: "[...] this searingly funny and beautiful show is an at-times raw examination of the vicissitudes of working motherhood, crackling with feminist verve and energy, that consistently cuts new ground".[13]

Cast

Main

  • Pamela Adlon as Sam Fox, a single mother and working actress raising three daughters in Los Angeles.[14]
  • Mikey Madison as Max Fox, Sam's volatile and angry but essentially decent oldest daughter.[15]
  • Hannah Alligood as Frankie Fox, Sam's androgynous and strong-willed middle daughter.[15]
  • Olivia Edward as Duke Fox, Sam's adorable and sweet-hearted youngest daughter.[15]
  • Celia Imrie as Phyllis "Phil" Darby, Sam's British mother with some looming physical and mental issues.[16]

Recurring

  • Diedrich Bader as Rich, Sam's best friend, who is gay and has about the same amount of luck with men as Sam does
  • Alysia Reiner as Sunny, Sam's newly divorced best friend.
  • Greg Cromer as Jeff, Sunny's pot-smoking and lazy ex-husband.
  • Rebecca Metz as Tressa, Sam's understated and very competent manager and friend.
  • Matthew Glave as Xander Hall, Sam's ex-husband and Max, Frankie, and Duke's absentee father
  • Mather Zickel as one of Sam's ex-boyfriends.
  • Lucy Davis as Macy, Sam's close friend who has serious personal problems. (seasons 1–2)
  • Patricia Scanlon as Joy, one of Sam's friends. (seasons 1–2)
  • Kevin Pollak as Marion, Sam's brother. (season 2–present)
  • Alex Désert as Donte, an actor who has worked with Sam in a car commercial and in Monsters in the Moonlight (seasons 2–3)
  • Henry Thomas as Robin, a single father and Sam's boyfriend. (season 2)
  • Judy Reyes as Lala, Sam's friend (season 3–present)[9]
  • Cree Summer as Lenny, Sam's friend (season 3–present)
  • Matthew Broderick as Dr. David Miller, Sam's therapist with whom Sam becomes romantically involved (season 3)[9]
  • Janina Gavankar as Nikki, an assistant director on Monsters in the Moonlight (season 3)[9]
  • Marsha Thomason as Mer Kodis, a talent manager who shows romantic interest in Sam (season 3)
  • Kris Marshall as Tibor, director of Monsters in the Moonlight (season 3)
  • Doug Jones as himself, an actor in Monsters in the Moonlight (season 3)
  • Harrison Page as Walter, Phil's boyfriend (season 3)
  • Adam Kulbersh as Murray Fox, Sam's father who appears as a ghost to her and Duke (season 3)

Notable guest stars

Production and development

Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon in 2017

The pilot was ordered by FX on January 18, 2015. It was written by Louis C.K. and Pamela Adlon, and directed by Louis C.K.[17] The story is semi-autobiographically based on Adlon's life.[18] The pilot was picked up for a 10-episode first season on August 7, 2015.[15][18]

The show is named after the song "Better Things" by The Kinks.[19]

In November 2017, after Louis C.K. confirmed the sexual misconduct allegations against him were true, FX canceled their overall deal with C.K. and his production company, Pig Newton. It was announced that C.K. would have no involvement in future seasons of the series.[20][21] That month, Adlon fired 3 Arts manager Dave Becky as her manager. Pig Newton and 3 Arts no longer co-produced the series after the Season 2 finale.[22] For the third season, Adlon hired four new writers for the series, Sarah Gubbins, Joe Hortua, Robin Ruzan, and Ira Parker.[23]

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
110September 8, 2016 (2016-09-08)November 10, 2016 (2016-11-10)
210September 14, 2017 (2017-09-14)November 16, 2017 (2017-11-16)
312February 28, 2019 (2019-02-28)May 16, 2019 (2019-05-16)
410March 5, 2020 (2020-03-05)April 30, 2020 (2020-04-30)

Season 1 (2016)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
11"Sam/Pilot"Louis C.K.Pamela Adlon & Louis C.K.September 8, 2016 (2016-09-08)XBG010010.671[24]
Sam Fox is introduced as a working actress with three daughters (an angry eldest, a fiery middle, and a sweetheart youngest), various middle-aged men in her life, and an increasingly addled mom living next door.
22"Period"Pamela AdlonStory by : Pamela Adlon
Teleplay by : Louis C.K.		September 15, 2016 (2016-09-15)XBG010070.570[25]
Sam hopes that she can no longer get pregnant, then has to handle her daughters' escalating bad behavior and her mom's heightened eccentricity.
33"Brown"Nisha GanatraLouis C.K.September 22, 2016 (2016-09-22)XBG010060.382[26]
Sam's latest acting work allows her to spend quality time with her best friend Sunny and less-endearing time with Sunny's nasty pothead husband Jeff. She also lands a date with a handsome African-American man but their dinner together at her house is ruined by Grandma Phil's racism.
44"Woman Is the Something of the Something"Nisha GanatraPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.September 29, 2016 (2016-09-29)XBG010030.455[27]
Sam is briefly up for a leading sitcom role, but never knows about it because her agent doesn't want her to be hurt if (when) it doesn't pan out. A fire alarm brings chaos to the house, while a feminist event at Frankie's school brings her and Sam closer together.
55"Future Fever"Lance BangsPamela Adlon & Louis C.K. and Cindy ChupackOctober 6, 2016 (2016-10-06)XBG010040.439[28]
Sam takes care of Frankie when she runs a high fever, Duke when she has coins to turn in at the bank, and Max when a frank look at her lackluster academic career has her sad over her unpromising college prospects.
66"Alarms"Lance BangsPamela Adlon & Louis C.K. and Gina FalloreOctober 13, 2016 (2016-10-13)XBG010090.406[29]
The men are not alright as Sam has to deal with gross colleagues, her utterly useless ex, a sleazy fake-admirer, and even Sunny's zero of a hubby Jeff (when they find out he's on Tinder). But more interaction with an addled Phil brings some good work and cheer to Sam and her girls.
77"Duke's Chorus"Lance BangsPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.October 20, 2016 (2016-10-20)XBG010050.460[30]
Sam clashes with the Mormon mom of a friend of Duke's, until they each come to understand the others' difficult situations. Max is worse to her mother than ever and Frankie concludes that there is no God.
88"Scary Fun"Nisha GanatraPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.October 27, 2016 (2016-10-27)XBG010080.381[31]
Sam warns Harvey, a boyfriend of Max's that she doesn't trust him around her daughter. Sam and Frankie play pranks on each other. Max is left heartbroken by Harvey when she is dumped, so Sam, Frankie and Duke stay at home instead of going out for Halloween to cheer her up.
99"Hair of the Dog"Nisha GanatraPamela AdlonNovember 3, 2016 (2016-11-03)XBG010020.426[32]
Sam takes Max and her friend to a Joe Walsh concert where unexpected info is revealed.
1010"Only Women Bleed"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.November 10, 2016 (2016-11-10)XBG010100.547[33]
After a chaotic morning, Sam gets to work, but that's interrupted when Frankie is sent home from school and Max later tells her mom something about her sister.

Season 2 (2017)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
111"September"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.September 14, 2017 (2017-09-14)XBG020010.528[34]
Sam has company over for a party. Tension is high between Sam and her daughter Max, who is dating Arturo, a man nearly twenty years her senior. Arturo was previously dating Macy, one of Sam's friends. Max eventually reveals to Sam that she is in over her head and wants to end the relationship, but is scared to. Near the end of the party, Sam takes Arturo outside and tells him his relationship with her daughter is over.
122"Rising"Pamela AdlonLouis C.K.September 21, 2017 (2017-09-21)XBG020020.492[35]
Sam breaks up with a boyfriend she hates, snarling at him after he calls her out for mistreating him that she disliked him from their first date, but was "too nice" to break up with him. Later, Sam goes on a weekend trip with her friends to the fancy home of Sunny's new wealthy boyfriend. However, she leaves the party and instead goes to a beachside motel to be alone. She fantasizes about driving back home to get her daughters and bringing them to the beach.
133"Robin"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.September 28, 2017 (2017-09-28)XBG020050.498[36]
Sam befriends Robin, a single father. Sam is asked by Robin to go with him for a weekend gateaway to wine country and she leaves her obnoxious, squabbling kids behind as they whine about her. They have a nice time, but things get awkward when Sam requests they have separate rooms at the inn. Robin later apologizes for screwing things up and Sam still seems to like him.
144"Sick"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.October 5, 2017 (2017-10-05)XBG020060.377[37]
Sam confides with Rich about her fear about her relationship with Robin; he's the perfect guy, but she's comfortable with being alone. Later, Sam's ex-husband unexpectedly stays over for dinner.
155"Phil"Pamela AdlonLouis C.K.October 12, 2017 (2017-10-12)XBG020070.520[38]
After Phil injures herself which lands her in the hospital, Sam contemplates on whether to put her into an assisted living, but she eventually decides against it and to take care of her mother herself. Robin meets Sam's children for the first time as they go out to dinner. Later, Sam goes to meet her ex (Mather Zickel).
166"Eulogy"Pamela AdlonLouis C.K.October 19, 2017 (2017-10-19)XBG020030.502[39]
Sam teaches an acting class and films a car commercial. Sam is upset at her children when they don't appreciate her work as an actor which has paid for their lifestyle. Sam has Max and Frankie eulogize her and tells them "I don't want to wait until I'm dead for my kids to appreciate me".
177"Blackout"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.October 26, 2017 (2017-10-26)XBG020090.414[40]
After the electricity goes out in Sam's home, Jeff suggests that she get a generator in case the power goes out again. He drives her to the hardware store to buy one, and she ends up running into Robin and his daughter. Sam has stopped seeing Robin and hasn't called him; Robin tells Sam he misses her. On the way home, Jeff tries to kiss Sam, but she rejects him.
188"Arnold Hall"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.November 2, 2017 (2017-11-02)XBG020040.426[41]
Arnold Hall, whose son is Sam's worthless ex-husband Xander, summons her for a visit. She gives Arnold a blunt evaluation when he asks her to keep supporting his son's "life of leisure" after her legal divorce payments expire late next year. She later goes to a bar mitzvah for Sunny's son Push where she gets even with Frankie for being verbally abusive, gives a great speech, and witnesses the unfriendly interplay between Sunny and her bitter sister.
199"White Rock"Pamela AdlonStory by : Pamela Adlon & Louis C.K.
Teleplay by : Louis C.K.		November 9, 2017 (2017-11-09)XBG020080.499[42]
Sam takes her three children to White Rock, British Columbia to visit her uncle Lester (Phil's brother) and his wife Jarita. Sam learns family secrets, including discovering that she has an aunt she never knew about, who was put in an institution due to a mental illness and cut from the family. Sam later learns that she died in 1983. Max converses with Jarita about her life in England; Frankie bonds with Lester over fishing and carpentry; and Duke sees a ghost.
2010"Graduation"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Louis C.K.November 16, 2017 (2017-11-16)XBG020100.336[43]
Sam, her family, and her closest friends celebrate Max's high school graduation. Max is devastated when her father doesn't show up. As their gift to Max, Sam, Frankie, Duke and Phil perform a dance routine of the song "Tilted".

Season 3 (2019)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
211"Chicago"Pamela AdlonPamela AdlonFebruary 28, 2019 (2019-02-28)XBG030010.450[44]
While trying on clothes at home, Sam notices she has gained some weight. Sam goes with Max to Chicago as Max prepares for college; Max is both terrified and excited at the big changes ahead. On the flight home, Sam sees a ghost of her deceased father and makes friends with a passenger, Maneesh. After arriving home, Sam checks on Phil after she notices Phil's vehicle is damaged. At home, Duke also sees a vision of Sam's father. Sam helps Frankie with her homework for school, reading the play A Raisin in the Sun.
222"Holding"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Ira ParkerMarch 7, 2019 (2019-03-07)XBG030020.353[45]
During the middle of the night, Sam has hot flashes. Sam begins filming her new movie, Monsters in the Moonlight with Doug Jones in the hot Los Angeles weather. On set, Sam meets Mer Kodis, a talent manager. Sam gets a call from Max, who wants an off-campus apartment because she believes she is allergic to vinyl flooring. Duke receives a package from her estranged father, which contains a cellphone. Later, Sam attends a parent-child day at Duke's school where Sam has to deal with various obnoxious parents, including one whose son bullied Duke and Sam wants revenge.
233"Nesting"Pamela AdlonJoe Hortua & Sarah GubbinsMarch 14, 2019 (2019-03-14)XBG030030.337[46]
Sam cooks and hosts a gathering of various friends at her home. Sam details the various problems regarding the filming of Monsters in the Moonlight. Mer tells Sam she's filing a grievance for an actor she manages, and wants to include Sam. Sam's manager Tressa warns Sam about Mer, that she's a "flipper" of straight women. Sam clarifies to Mer that she is straight. Sam and her brother Marion discuss their mother's declining mental stability; Marion believes she should be put in a nursing home, but Sam thinks she's fine and she accuses Marion about not being around to help and that she would be one to take of her.
244"Monsters in the Moonlight"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Sarah GubbinsMarch 21, 2019 (2019-03-21)XBG030040.313[47]
Sam has rape dreams about her ex-husband, much to her annoyance. Despite not being legal age to drive, Sam gives Frankie driving lessons. Duke purposely loses the phone her father gave her after he doesn't call her when he promised to. Max returns home early from college, saying she isn't being challenged enough; Sam is frustrated that Max isn't trying hard enough. Sam continues filming Monsters in the Moonlight and after being involved in a stunt she believed was too dangerous, she chastises the director about the lack of safety concerns for herself and the rest of the actors. Sam goes out for a drink with Mer, and Mer makes it clear about her romantic interest in Sam.
255"No Limit"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Joe HortuaMarch 28, 2019 (2019-03-28)XBG030050.365[48]
Sam visits her gynecologist and has an exam. Sam takes her daughters and their friends go-karting and she ends up injuring herself when she crashes, getting whiplash. Sam is frustrated by Frankie and Duke constantly arguing, so she lets them say whatever horrible thing they want to each other, but just for one minute. Everyone is shocked and amused by Duke's profanity. Sam goes to a birthday party with friends and various topics are discussed, including the difficulties of aging and parenting. The next day, Sam is feeling unwell, hungover from the previous night and the effects of whiplash. She visits her doctor and vents about all her problems – stressed out about her daughters, her mother's mental state, insomnia, and going through menopause – and she breaks down. The doctor recommends she see a psychotherapist.
266"What Is Jeopardy?"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Ira ParkerApril 4, 2019 (2019-04-04)XBG030060.418[49]
Sam begins her therapy sessions with Dr. David Miller, who turns out to be a childhood friend from summer camp that she originally didn't recognize. Sam talks about the reasons for her anxiety and insomnia, stemming from her rape dreams about her ex-husband, Xander. As a way of getting Xander out of her head, Sam (after much deliberation) goes to his hotel room. Inside, they perform an "old routine" from their past involving Sam wearing high-heel boots and voyeurism from Xander. After they finish, Sam throws out the boots and leaves. Meanwhile, Phil accidentally knocks over Duke with her car when Duke is skateboarding in the driveway, but Phil plays it off as is everything is fine, worried what Sam will think. Phil then gives up her car keys to Marion. Later, Duke is feeling ill and bleeding, and Frankie realizes she is having her first period and helps her.
277"Toilet"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Joe HortuaApril 11, 2019 (2019-04-11)XBG030070.274[50]
Sam prepares for a colonoscopy and spends all day and night running to the bathroom. After the procedure, the doctor tells Sam she removed two polyps and that she may have a malignant polyp. Tired of her toilet constantly clogging, she gets an industrial strength toilet installed. Sam has her last session with Dr. Miller; he realizes he should have recommend her to another therapist because of their past. After firing her as a patient, he tries to recreate a romantic moment from their past, but Sam leaves once the session is up. Sam is relieved when she gets a text from her doctor saying the test was negative.
288"Easter"Pamela AdlonSarah Gubbins & Robin RuzanApril 18, 2019 (2019-04-18)XBG030080.364[51]
Sam rents a motel room for Max and her friends for a photo shoot. Sam celebrates Easter morning with Duke and Frankie, giving them baskets of candy. Duke goes with Phil to her married boyfriend Walter's home for an Easter gathering and egg hunt. Walter's wife Esther has Alzheimer's and he introduces Phil as his friend, but his family sees through it. Phil tells Duke the hurtful truth about her father. When Marion arrives to pick them up, he demands Phil to make a "statement of remorse" to him for her behavior over the years. Phil stays at the party and Marion drives Duke home. In the car, Marion cheers up Duke by telling her how much of a great mother Sam is. Phil finds Esther sitting alone in the TV room watching Easter Parade and Phil joins her when she starts singing.
299"The Unknown"Pamela AdlonSarah GubbinsApril 25, 2019 (2019-04-25)XBG030090.256[52]
Sam attends a ceremony at the Friars Club which is honoring her late father Murray Fox. There, Sam converses with Durham, the son of Murray's old comedy partner. Sam and Durham flirt, but once his much younger girlfriend shows up, Sam chastises him for being with such a young girl and not seeking women more age-appropriate. Sam goes to New York City to read for a play after being suggested by Mer. Sam reads for the play, alongside actors Mark Feuerstein, Holland Taylor, Gabrielle Ruiz, Jon Jon Briones and Norm Lewis. They then perform the play in front of an audience the next night and go out for drinks. Mer tells Sam that the play will be taken to Broadway and Sam wants to be involved. Sam wonders why her manager Tressa wasn't the one that set it up, although Sam stress her loyalty to Tressa. Sam and Tressa have a phone conversation discussing the issue, and Tressa feeling jealous of Mer, steps aside being her manager. Sam and Mer have a drink at the hotel bar and Mer shows her continued interest in Sam, but Sam denies any true feelings back. At the bar with the rest of cast, Sam sends a text message to David Miller, who she has been communicating with after her therapy sessions ended.
3010"Show Me the Magic"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon & Ira ParkerMay 2, 2019 (2019-05-02)XBG030100.342[53]
Sam and her friends gather at Lala's house for a night of drinking and bonding. Sam and Tressa, who is no longer her manager, reconcile and remain great friends. When Lala's husband and his friend return home early from their night out, Sam becomes annoyed by their presence, that they've ruined the vibe of the great night the women have been having. The next morning, Duke is frightened and believes she sees her deceased grandfather Murray in her room. Sam goes to see David about the issue with Duke, and she wants him to pretend to be a medium to resolve the problem. However, David is offended by the suggestion. The two kiss before Sam leaves. Trying to solve the problem herself, Sam shows Duke various mementos of Murray, including various books he wrote and audio recordings. Duke takes the urn of Murray's ashes from Phil's house and puts them into a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Sam discovers Duke's pet mouse has died and mourns it; and finds a bear in her driveway, learning that is the animal leaving its droppings in her driveway.
3111"Get Lit"Pamela AdlonJoe Hortua & Ira ParkerMay 9, 2019 (2019-05-09)XBG030110.242[54]
Sam has a medium brought to the house to deal with Murray's presence. Sam finds a cannabis smoking pipe in the house and yells at Max and her friends for leaving it out. Sam chaperones Frankie and her friends to a poetry slam event where they are performing; they perform a poem about "the little white lies we tell our little ones". Phil later smokes cannabis with Max's friends.
3212"Shake the Cocktail"Pamela AdlonPamela AdlonMay 16, 2019 (2019-05-16)XBG030120.289[55]
It's Sam's 50th birthday and Frankie has been gone from home for 8 days, living at her friend's house, caused by friction between Frankie and Sam. Despite showing hostility toward Sam, Frankie is courteous to the families housing her and helps a homeless woman. Sam has lunch with Rich, but she becomes annoyed because he has invited his boyfriend. Rich gets mad and accuses her of wanting him to stay single, just like her. Sam talks with David about Frankie, and he suggests that she focus on Max and Duke. Phil talks with Sam on the phone, but forgets her birthday. Sam, Max, and Duke go to Frankie's recital, and Frankie has invited Rich and his boyfriend. Sam apologizes to Rich and they make amends; Rich gives her a birthday gift. They all then watch the performance and Max takes photographs. After, Frankie returns home and tells Sam she's not staying, but asks if she could use the bath. Sam gives her a meal and Frankie leaves a birthday card. Sam reads the card, which ends with "You have survived another year. You made it. We all made it." with P.S., stating "Sorry I'm such an asshole." Sam opens Rich's gift: a ring and a key inscribed with the word "peace". Max and Duke then present Sam with a cake and sing "Happy Birthday" to her.

Season 4 (2020)

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code		U.S. viewers
(millions)
331"Steady Rain"Pamela AdlonPamela AdlonMarch 5, 2020 (2020-03-05)XBG040010.302[56]
Sam and Phil pick up Frankie and Duke from the airport after a trip from visiting their father. Phil is now forced to wear a cardiac vest for a few months after previously suffering a heart attack. The next day, Frankie tells Sam she wants a big party for her 15th birthday, specifically a quinceañera, but Sam says they're "too Jewish" for that. Frankie states it's cultural appreciation and tells Sam she wants her father there too. Sam comforts a heartbroken Rich whose boyfriend broke up with him and Rich receives heartwarming advice from Duke that he'll find love again.
342"She's Fifty"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon and Ira ParkerMarch 5, 2020 (2020-03-05)XBG040020.163[56]
Sam's minivan is stolen from the mechanic's lot, and she is secretly happy about it. Sam goes to the gym with her friend Lenny whose husband just left her. Sam learns from Tressa, who is now her former manager, that they are rebooting Ching of the Mill (a reference to King of the Hill which Adlon starred in) and has to audition for the role she voiced on the original series. Sam uses an electric car from the dealership as a loaner and when it runs out of electricity, she walks to a gas station with a mechanic on hand. She ends buying an El Camino from him. Sam drives home and discovers her children have bought a chinchilla with her credit card and she wants it returned. At the pet store, Sam gets a call and finds out she didn't get the part and is left disappointed. The pet store doesn't allow returns on pets, so they keep the chinchilla and Sam also buys a white snake and Sam announces to Max, "welcome to my midlife crisis!"
353"Escape Drill"Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon and Ira ParkerMarch 12, 2020 (2020-03-12)XBG040030.496[57]
Sam takes her two friends, Lenny and Lala, to meet with her ex-husband's lawyer, as they're both in the middle of getting a divorce from their husbands. Lala is ready, but Lenny is pushing back on the idea. Duke and her friend try on make-up and Duke expresses her insecurities about her body. Sam calls Jeff over to help assemble a cage for their chinchilla. Jeff is in the process of making amends as part of a twelve-step program and apologizes for things he has done to Sam. Jeff's ex-wife Sunny comes over and he goes over his long list of amends to her. After getting manicures and pedicures, Sam and Max go shopping and help a mother find their lost child in the store. Sam gets a call from her new manager Mal and learns she has a new gig with Jessica Barden. After arriving home, Sam walks into Frankie's room and is shocked to find her in bed with a boy, one that isn't Frankie's best friend Jason.
364"DNA"Pamela AdlonIra ParkerMarch 19, 2020 (2020-03-19)XBG040040.268[58]
Sam, at the piano, struggles with an Elton John song then shows up at Phil's house with a DNA test kit and tells her "It's today... give me your spit!" Sam goes to the doctor about her chronic hand pain and the doctor tells her, "Your hands are much older than you are." Sam's muscles have atrophied, and not even surgery can fix it. The next morning, Sam wakes up to an owl in her bed. Duke walks into the room with a towel and collects it. Sam then calls Animal Control to retrieve it. Sam lets Duke and her friend Pepper start her El Camino, and Duke accidentally slams the door on Pepper's hand, causing her to lose a fingertip. Duke begins to uncontrollably laugh while Sam rushes to help a terrified and screaming Pepper. Max is mad at Sam that her dress for work wasn't washed. Sam calls her out for being "super shitty" to her, that she lives at home rent-free, and could at least help around the house. Max tells Sam that she doesn't have to be so hard on her just because "you don't know what it's like to be a woman anymore." Sam then calls Max a "cunt". They then have a back-and-forth of calling each other the c-word. They eventually become exhausted and break down, smiling and laughing. Max apologizes and they hug. Sam tells Max while she doesn't want her to move out, that she still needs to.
375"Carbonara"Pamela AdlonPatricia ResnickMarch 26, 2020 (2020-03-26)XBG040050.351[59]
Sam wakes up to find that the constant rain in Los Angeles exacerbated leaking issues in her house. Sam places pots around the house to catch the rain. Sam goes into the kitchen and Frankie is making carbonara. Sam tells her that they need to have "the talk" regarding Frankie being in bed with a boy. Frankie urges Sam to use the Hinge profile she made for her so she doesn't end up alone. Sam takes Duke to her ballet class and the instructor forces her to choose between ballet and soccer. Duke eventually chooses ballet after the instructor makes her feel insecure about her body. Sam hires a married "handy-couple" to fix the various issues around the house, including the leaks. Sam takes Frankie to her first gynaecology exam. On the way home, Frankie shows Sam all the "likes" she has on Hinge and they go to Pinkberry.
386"New Orleans"Pamela AdlonJoe HortuaApril 2, 2020 (2020-04-02)XBG040060.283[60]
Sam travels to New Orleans to the attend the wedding between Maneesh and his boyfriend Andrew. Sam accompanies them to their wedding brunch with their two families, but they are denied access because they do not meet the male dress code of wearing a collared dress shirt. While Maneesh and Andrew shop for new shirts, Sam runs into one of her exes with his new girlfriend, but they pretend not to know each other. At the wedding ceremony, Sam speaks with a woman who explains how much better her life is after moving to New Orleans. Sam again runs into her ex at the wedding as his girlfriend knows Andrew. The two finally explain that they know each other. Sam makes a toast and tells the story of how she meet Maneesh on a plane ride where the cockpit caught on fire and they had to make an emergency landing. Sam spends another day in New Orleans and explores the city and its culture: she goes to a Voodoo shop and drinks a potion; eats crawfish boils; and takes part in a second line parade. After, Sam visits a realtor and expresses interest in buying a home. At night, Sam goes to a jazz club to watch live music. Sam again runs into her ex there (without his girlfriend) and they walk the streets of New Orleans.
397"High man. Bye man."Pamela AdlonPamela Adlon and Joe HortuaApril 9, 2020 (2020-04-09)XBG040070.287[61]
An emotional Sam picks up Duke who has just graduated from elementary school. Sam, Phil and Max go to a housewarming party for Sam's brother Marion and his wife Caroline who have just bought a home in Los Angeles. Things are awkward and tense between Phil and Caroline. Sam asks Marion about his marriage, believing there are issues, but Marion says they are working through it. Because Sam is unable to get surgery on her hand, she goes to a dispensary to buy medical cannabis for the pain. Sam ends up smoking too much and has to call Max to pick up Duke from a sleepover she wants to leave. Sam, recovering from her high, lies in bed with her three daughters as they watch a movie. Later, Frankie reveals to Sam that she has lost her virginity, telling her "she just wanted to get it out of the way" and have it be her choice. Frankie then makes Sam peppermint ice cream which they enjoy together on the balcony.
408"Father's Day"Pamela AdlonPatricia Resnick and Robin RuzanApril 16, 2020 (2020-04-16)XBG040080.353[62]
Sam and her girlfriends including Sunny, Lenny, Lala, and Chaya get together for a Father's Day brunch that doubles as a thorough and painful reminder of their marriages' dissolutions. Sam's ex-husband Xander lingers over the meeting, as Sam flashes back to how his bizarre, controlling mother ruined their plans for an amicable divorce and that she's been paying for it ever since. Sam gets mad at Sunny because she and her ex-husband Jeff are doing well as amicable exes, and Sam also is her usual unpleasant self to Lala's ex Richard, who in turn points out all the ways Sam doesn't know what she's talking about and snidely remarks how she's becoming old, brittle and mean. Sam and her friends later write "forgiveness" letters to their exes, but Sam is clearly not ready to forgive Xander. Phil takes Frankie out to dinner and gives her both an early birthday gift and some hard truths about Frankie's grandfather. Max and Frankie take over advising Duke and leave Sam out of the loop.
419"Batceañera"Pamela AdlonJoe Hortua and Ira ParkerApril 23, 2020 (2020-04-23)XBG040090.251[63]
Sam throws a party that is part bat mitzvah and quinceañera–for the 15th birthdays of Frankie and the daughter of a Spanish family Sam is friends with. The party is attended by numerous friends and family members. When Sam's ex-husband Xander shows up, things become tense as Sam is sickened he is there but Frankie is happy he showed up. Sunny tells Sam she needs to let go of her anger regarding Xander and to move on, advice Sam isn't keen on. Frankie makes a speech that thanks Sam for being a single mother and raising her and is happy that Xander choose to attend. Xander then makes a kind speech about Frankie but embarrasses himself when he incorrectly congratulates her on turning 16. Rich and Jeff both give Xander a piece of their mind: Rich makes it clear he's more of a father to Sam's daughters than their real dad has ever been, and Jeff levels Xander by pointing out Jeff has been the completely despised person before that Xander is now and he worked hard to mend fences with the people he'd let down. Xander then talks with Sam about how much he enjoyed the party with his family and apologizes for not being around more. Sam invites Xander to come for dinner with the girls later in the week. The next day, Sam visits Max at her job at the restaurant where she is a hostess and Sam proudly watches her. Sam sits at the bar and talks with the chef/owner who praises Max.
4210"Listen to the Roosters"Pamela AdlonPamela AdlonApril 30, 2020 (2020-04-30)XBG040100.186[64]
Sam takes Duke and her friend to a Los Angeles Dodgers game, enjoying the fireworks but not being too happy that a Presidential visit has gridlocked the traffic all around the stadium. With help from a friendly Mexican security guard and then a ride-share driver whose two rules are "you have to smile and you have to sing", the trip home becomes a blast, though Duke is left feeling uncertain about what happened when she has a nice talk with a pretty, elderly woman who seemingly vanishes. Sam works on a TV story where she interviews women about their menstrual periods and then about the trials and joys of being a woman in society. The next day, Sam's ex-husband Xander comes by for dinner, only to find that Max, Frankie and Duke have gone off together on a beach trip. Xander is treated with deserved contempt by Phil and later by Rich, as Rich lets him know that it wasn't an accident that the girls weren't there as part of a "test" to see if Xander would be his usual no-show self. Xander asks Sam for his usual alimony payment, but Sam tells him it is different: she's bundling all of the money she owes to him into a single check, and she took out a bank loan to pay for it because she would rather owe a bank than Xander. She says they have a clean slate now, and she's forgiving him–not because she likes him now, but for the good of herself, her life and "my daughters". Xander leaves and is later humiliated when he sees the check has the company heading "Xander Hall Is A Loser Who Abandoned His Kids, LLC". Sam, Phil and Rich enjoy night-swimming at the neighbor's pool. The season ends with an image of the Fox daughters looking at the camera as the ocean breaks behind them.

Reception

Critical response

The series received an overall score of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes and 87 on Metacritic.[65][66]

Pamela Adlon has received significant praise for her acting, writing, and directing, with critics citing her as one of TV's best auteurs.

The first season has a Metacritic score of 80 out of 100 based 31 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[67] Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 95% "Certified Fresh" score with an average rating of 8.18 out of 10 based on 57 critic reviews, with the critical consensus "Pamela Adlon's Better Things abstains from traditional sitcom sendups and forges a path all its own – in this bawdy, often hilarious and bittersweet ode to the daily highs and lows of being a single mother."[68]

On Metacritic, the second season has a score of 96 out of 100 based on 13 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[69] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 96% approval rating with an average rating of 9.2 out of 10 based on 26 reviews, with the critical consensus "Better Things' second season plays even more adroitly to its strengths, weaving confidently between stinging humor, caustic observation, and poignant drama."[70] In his review for Time, Daniel D'Addario wrote, "This is a huge leap forward for a show that was already quite strong. Adlon comes as close to a pure auteur as TV gets. That her story is one imbued with both sadness and light makes Better Things one of television's very best shows—in any genre."[71] Better Things is ranked as the seventh best TV series of 2017, according to Metacritic's list which tallies "best of" lists from various major TV critics and publications.[72]

On Metacritic, the third season has a score of 94 out of 100 based on 19 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[73] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 9.33 out of 10 based on 35 reviews with the critical consensus, "Pamela Adlon fully asserts her authorial voice over Better Things in a triumphant third season that examines the exhaustion of motherhood with exhilarating artistry."[74] Matt Zoller Seitz of Vulture wrote, "Better Things is the best the show has ever been."[75] Caroline Framke of Variety wrote, "Better Things feels a bit freer to be its most audacious self this season. Making the show under extraordinary pressure has, in the end, allowed Adlon to throw up her hands, say anything she wants, get it all out there and succeed entirely on her own terms."[76]

On Metacritic, the fourth season has a score of 90 out of 100 based on 6 reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".[77] On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 100% approval rating with an average rating of 8.45 out of 10 based on 21 reviews with the critical consensus, "Sharp and singular, Better Things just keeps getting better."[78] Dan Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter called the series "still one of the very best things on TV".[79] Ben Travers of IndieWire gave it an "A" grade and summarized that season 4 is "an experience like nothing else on television."[80]

Accolades

Year Ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Exciting New Series Better Things Won [81]
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Series, Comedy or Musical Pamela Adlon Nominated [82]
Peabody Award Entertainment Programming Better Things Won [13]
2017 Gotham Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Series – Long Form Better Things Nominated [83]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Pamela Adlon Nominated [84]
TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Nominated [85]
Writers Guild of America Awards New Series Pamela Adlon, Louis C.K., Cindy Chupack and Gina Fattore Nominated [86]
Hollywood Music in Media Awards Outstanding Music Supervision – Television Nora Felder Nominated [87]
2018 Golden Globe Awards Best Performance in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy Pamela Adlon Nominated [88]
TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Pamela Adlon Nominated [89]
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Pamela Adlon Nominated [90]
2019 TCA Awards Individual Achievement in Comedy Pamela Adlon Nominated [91]
2020 Casting Society of America Television Series – Comedy Felicia Fasano and Samantha Rood Nominated [92]
TCA Awards Outstanding Achievement in Comedy Better Things Nominated [93]
Individual Achievement in Comedy Pamela Adlon Nominated
2021 Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Comedy Series Better Things Pending [94]
Best Actress in a Comedy Series Pamela Adlon Pending

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