Ep 3. No Thank You

In the third episode of the eighth season of Portlandia titled "No Thank You," the eccentric and quirky characters of Portland continue their hilarious antics.

In the first segment, we meet Fred and Carrie, two bookstore owners who attend a marketing conference in Seattle to promote their store. However, their attempt to network with other booksellers proves to be a challenge as they are constantly bombarded with unwanted sales pitches. As they try to make the best out of their trip, they find themselves in an awkward encounter with a fellow attendee who is not interested in their business.

The next segment features Candace and Toni, the owners of the Women and Women First bookstore, who decide to go on a retreat to relax and re-energize. However, their journey takes a turn when they encounter a group of hikers who are occupying their designated campsite. The two women are forced to confront their fears and anxieties as they try to come up with a solution to their problem.

In another segment, Brendan visits a new doctor who prescribes him medication for his supposed depression. However, Brendan's belief that he has depression is soon challenged when he meets the doctor's other patients who all share similar symptoms. Fearing that the doctor may be prescribing medication unnecessarily, Brendan tries to get to the bottom of the situation.

In the following segment, we are introduced to Malcolm, a retiring salesman who decides to pursue his dream of becoming a DJ. His new career choice proves to be challenging as he struggles to connect with a young audience and navigate the music industry. Even worse, he finds that his son is not supportive of his newfound passion.

Lastly, we see two hipsters who are trying to keep up with the latest food trends. They embark on a journey to find the best plant-based burger in town, but their search leads them to a vegan restaurant with strict rules and a close-minded staff.

Overall, "No Thank You" is a hilarious episode that showcases the absurdity of modern trends and societal expectations. The show continues to highlight the idiosyncrasies of Portland's inhabitants while delivering clever social commentary.