Ep 3. Keys Open Doors

Keys Open Doors is the third episode of the first season of You're the Worst, a dark romantic comedy series created by Stephen Falk. The show follows the lives of Jimmy Shive-Overly, a self-involved British writer, and Gretchen Cutler, a PR executive with a party-hardy lifestyle, as they navigate their dysfunctional relationship in modern-day Los Angeles.

In this particular episode, Jimmy and Gretchen are living together in Jimmy's apartment, but things are far from perfect. Jimmy, still hung up on his ex-girlfriend, is struggling to find inspiration for his next book, while Gretchen is feeling ignored and neglected. When Jimmy finds a key that unlocks every door in the apartment building except his own, he becomes obsessed with finding out who it belongs to. Gretchen, on the other hand, is more interested in going to a party and letting loose.

As they go about their day, Jimmy runs into his eccentric neighbor, Dorothy, who he suspects might be the key's owner. He spends the rest of the episode trying to track her down and returning the key to her, which leads him to discover some surprising things about his neighbor. Meanwhile, Gretchen attends a party with some friends, gets drunk, and ends up hooking up with a guy named Ty who she used to date.

Throughout the episode, the show touches on themes of identity, relationships, and the search for meaning in life. Jimmy's quest to return the key becomes a metaphor for his own search for purpose, while Gretchen's fling with Ty speaks to her need for validation and attention. The show doesn't shy away from the darker aspects of modern relationships, and the characters' flaws and mistakes make them all the more relatable and human.

The writing on You're the Worst is sharp, witty, and often biting. The show is unafraid to tackle taboo topics and push the boundaries of what's considered "acceptable" subject matter for a comedy. Despite its irreverent tone, however, the show has a lot of heart, and the characters' moments of vulnerability are just as compelling as their snarky one-liners.

The performances are also top-notch, with Chris Geere and Aya Cash bringing depth and nuance to their respective roles as Jimmy and Gretchen. Their chemistry is electric, and their character arcs over the course of the series are some of the most satisfying and emotionally resonant on television. Kether Donohue and Desmin Borges, who play Gretchen's best friend Lindsay and Jimmy's roommate Edgar, respectively, also give standout performances and bring a lot of humor and heart to their roles.

Overall, Keys Open Doors is a standout episode of You're the Worst and a great example of the show's mix of dark humor, relatable characters, and emotional depth. If you haven't checked out the series yet, it's well worth a watch. Just be prepared to cringe, laugh, and maybe even shed a tear or two along the way.