Let's all say something we find amazingly cool about Pamela Adlon, like that she's had such an interesting career, and with that unique persona, even as a kid, I could tell right away that she was very much taking a unique and non-random approach to the child sitcom character, not just responding to or reflecting the adults she was working with. She held her own!

Even for those who watched only Better Things and not her other shows, (I know that not everybody has followed her like a starstruck fangirl, although I do think I chose a worthy and creative person) what drew you into her character and writing and directing and just the aura of her dynamic beingness?

There must have been too much shit on at once to the point where I didn’t even hear of this show when it was on, and I’m pretty big on TV.

Saw it was based off Odessa after watching (and loving) I love LA and wow, she is truly her mother’s daughter.

The show is almost too real to the point where it is uncomfortable and yet still feels like a hug when you need it. It’s like Gilmore Girls for the more matured soul.

I am currently on season 4, and the scene where Max and Sam call each other ”c*nts” back and forth and have a big blowout was so well written it made me come here to rave about it.

Finally, I want to say, I don’t actually hate Frankie and I know that’s an unpopular opinion. Perhaps it’s my personal experience growing up a troubled annoying kid in my own ways and doing a 180 in adulthood (Shoutout therapy) getting in the way of my judgement but I just found her character very real? A lot of kids suck growing up, and life, maturity, and some humbling experiences makes them change. if you look for the smaller, less obnoxious or callous moments you do see Frankie caring for her family a lot in a “different love languages” sort of way. Her character is complicated and I jsut think it’s very realistic.

In light of Avocado Joe's recent thread about the beach episode, I'm curious if anyone sees any other episode as dream or fantasy? Like obviously when anyone sees the grandfather or Duke sees Phyl walking with Lester or the lady in white, it's because she has "the shine." So it is fantastical. But are there other episodes y'all have interpreted as daydreaming/dreaming/fantasies?

So, after she spends 5 seconds at Mark's house, Sam leaves, checks into a seaside hotel. Did she really go pick up the girls, or was she just in her head?

This is genuinely the most insufferable character ever put to television. The other two daughters can be a pain here and there but Max mostly lightens up and Duke almost always comes to her mothers defense or just doesn't participate. I know Sam definitely isn't the most mature adult and can mishandle a lot of things. Specifically, the they/them conversation with Frankie in the car was a low moment for Sam but Frankie takes so many opportunities to go wayyyyy over the top in terms of humiliation, disrespect and disdain. Does this little turd every experience joy? Like the only time I ever see them not rolling their eyes and whining is when they're making fun of Sam in front of someone else.

NGL this storyline made me text my ex who I left out of fear of a good thing and my own toxicity. Like Robin, my ex was also a total babe. Ugh... bring him back RIP

Hi, there. I'm watching the show for the first time and I'm currently on the first episodes of season 2. Honestly, I'm finding the show kind of annoying. I know some shows have ups and downs and I would like to hear your opinions: is there some change in the future or is this the tone for the whole show and it's just not my cup of tea? Thanks in advance!

What do you guys think happened to Max when she moved to London? Did she embark on a successful barista career? Did she magically create connections in the arts through her cousin? Did some nepotism kick in? Or did she decide to try something else entirely?

I just watched the finale and am so thankful to Pamela Adlon and all of the creators for a beautiful , one of a kind show.

I feel like the sisters all had decent character arcs. None of them are complete, though, and that goes with show... and life. Max was exploring independence and her artistic side. Frankie went through some tough times but really seemed to have found themself and peace.

My question is Duke. This is how I saw her arc and am curious what others thought .

* Duke was quite depressed for a while.

* i think she made it clear that this was due to losing her special ability to see ghosts. Also, probably being thwt age.

* During an episode or two and then the trip to English, she stopped smoking and also found more peace.

* The final piece seemed to be getting her 'powers' back and seeing Phyllis and her deceased brother. And so she discovered herself again.

But I also saw this as important, and I haven't seen anyone discuss: Both Phyllis ( who also saw her brother's ghost) and Sam turn to Duke and smile knowingly. Sam saw her dead father often in earlier seasons and never admitted to seeing him to Duke. That bothered me.

In episode 9, it seemed they were turning and smiling and most importantly, acknowledging to Duke that they also see ghosts and it's 3 generations. That also helped Duke find her peace.

Did anyone else agree with this?

Anyone curious or know what her kids in real life reactions to how they were portrayed on the show?

Is one of my go-to shows. Season 4 ep. 1 is so fantastic and the following couple are so amazing. Just on a deep level of experience. Another fav is Sam and her speech on aging as a woman.

Anyone have a complete list of all the good Sam cooks in the show. And I’m hoping one day she’ll create a cookbook

I just watched the whole series over a few weeks. I completely understand teen bitchiness. I was a teen daughter myself. I dont have kids. Is the frankie character satan incarnate or am i just out of touch with how kids talk to their parents? I know a bunch of teens. No one persecutes their parents like this.

This show helps me be more authentically myself and to figure my own path by watching the kids go through the different stages of growing up and becoming their own person. Even the moments they’re assholes it’s relatable being a teenager around the time the show was out in 2016

Truly, this show was such a great representation of life with the ups and downs, with putting your needs aside for the sake of love. It was funny and scary and sad. It reminded me of life—well done and thank you for this show 🥹

I just started this show and have been binging. I did see other posters talk about Frankie. I just can’t with her. I’ve never seen a ruder kid. On season 3 episode 12 where for some reason she doesn’t live at home and won’t talk to her mom. Sam I like though I feel sorry for whoever dates her but she is a great friend and maybe too nice of a mother. I feel like she walks that thin line of mothering and trying to be their friend.

Just started the show, in the middle of season 2 so maybe she gets better/comes around. But so far im shocked by the hype around her.

Im on the bar mitzvah episode, where she dumps water all down Frankies dress. Was Frankie out of line for calling their mom a whore? Absolutely!!! But the water down a white dress causing it to be completely see through was over the top!!! Kids are kids, adults are supposed to be adults.

In the same episode, she repeatedly makes jokes about a childs penis her whole speech at the bar mitzvah. This isnt the first time shes done this!! She did this to Max’s love interest too a little earlier in the show.

She also recently just threw Frankies phone in the sink. And tried to make Frankie and Max walk home. Are her kids ungrateful? Absolutely. Did she raise to be that way? Absolutely!!!!!

She is incredibly lenient while also too punitive imo. She invites the 30+ year old men Max brings home, inside. I understand forbidding it makes them want it more, she did not need to invite him in though!!!

We are supposed to find her kids to be ungrateful and unwilling to learn based on all the crazy mistakes they make, only to learn their own mother made some of them too. Im sure this is purposely self reflective on Sam/Pamela’s part but it doesn’t change for me what an average parent she is most of the time. And she makes the same wild mistakes her kids do, but farrr into adulthood. I also think only a certain type of parents would broadcast of all their childrens biggest mistakes on TV like this.

Hiiii!! This is so dorky, but do you guys wanna list off your top 10 favorite eps in order? I think it could be fun. I will start if that’s cool with you.

1.) White Rock 2.) Eulogy 3.) We Are Not Alone 4.) Show Me The Magic 5.) England 6.) Graduation 7.) Easter 8.) World Is Mean Right Now 9.) Listen to The Roosters 10.) Batceñara

Which episodes or songs really spoke to you?

Ok I’m fixated on this show and does anyone know where I could find a jacket similar to the one Sam is wearing in this scene?

I’m watching the White Rock episode where Max is upset that Harvey got Paisley pregnant and when Sam was obviously upset at the beach, Max just shows up to blame her for the reason Paisley got pregnant. Like bitch what lol??

I love her tapestry behind her bed it looks handmade

Sorrow, Spider, Paisley (maybe not so strange), Design, Push… some are referenced in dialog and not necessarily seen on screen. There are at least a few others I’ve heard, anyone?

Guess it is a SoCal thing? Generational thing?

What do you guys think Duke whispers to Xander in the Batceanera episode?