Fleishman Is in Trouble

image via Matthias Clamer/FX/TNS

Fleishman Is in Trouble. Whew. This TV show, based on the book, is intense. When I initially started it, I was not a fan. The first episode or two felt "eh." There were too many sex scenes with the guy from The Social Network, and I wasn't invested in the characters. Then the show got better, and deeper. Now I'm obsessed. The series is an improvement upon the novel, something that is rare to achieve. It's smart, profound and entertaining (despite the gratuitous hookup parts.) The acting is superb, especially by Claire Danes. She deserves an Emmy.

The show is narrated by Libby, played by Lizzy Kaplan (you'll recognize her from Mean Girls). She's a middle-aged mom feeling lost after leaving her career in magazines and moving to the suburbs. She recently reconnected with her friends Toby (Jesse Eisenberg of Social Network fame) and Seth (played by Adam Brody of The O.C.). Toby Fleishman is in trouble. He's recently divorced from Rachel (played by the incredible Claire Danes), dealing with being a newly single dad of two kids, and his ex is missing. I won't say more; I don't want to spoil your viewing pleasure (and pain - at times), but I highly recommend you give the show a shot.

AES