Ep 1. Rhubarb and Custard

In the first episode of the Australian television series Please Like Me, titled "Rhubarb and Custard," we are introduced to Josh (played by series creator Josh Thomas), a socially awkward twenty-something who is still coming to terms with his sexuality. Josh's girlfriend Claire breaks up with him in the opening scene, which sends him on a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the episode.

We quickly learn that Josh lives with his best friend Tom (Tom Ward), who is openly gay and unapologetically flamboyant. Tom is a great support system for Josh, but he also has his own issues to deal with, including a recent diagnosis of chlamydia. The two of them share an easy camaraderie that is both funny and touching to watch.

As Josh navigates his newfound freedom and conflicting emotions about his sexuality, he reconnects with an old friend named Geoffrey (Wade Briggs), who he once had a crush on. Geoffrey is now in a committed relationship with a man named Pat (Charles Cottier), and invites Josh and Tom over for dinner. This dinner scene is one of the highlights of the episode, as the foursome share an awkward but hilarious conversation about sex and relationships.

Meanwhile, Josh's parents divorced a year ago, and his mother Rose (Debra Lawrance) has been struggling to adjust to her new life. She comes over to Josh's apartment to cook dinner for him, but her plans are derailed when she accidentally sets the oven on fire. As she and Josh wait for the smoke to clear, they have a heart-to-heart conversation about the difficulties of starting over.

Throughout the episode, Josh is dealing with both his own issues and those of the people around him. He wants to be supportive of his friends and family, but he also feels overwhelmed by their problems. In the end, he seeks solace in a simple pleasure: eating rhubarb and custard, a childhood favorite that reminds him of simpler times.

"Rhubarb and Custard" sets up the themes and characters that will carry the series through its four-season run: the awkwardness of young adulthood, the complexities of relationships, and the importance of friendship and family. It does so with humor, heart, and a raw honesty that makes it feel like a breath of fresh air in the often-stale world of sitcoms.