You, Me and the Apocalypse Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Still Stuff Worth Fighting For
Elena Zhang
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In my earlier reviews, I was apprehensive about the show's ability to keep viewers interested, since it's already revealed that all the main characters end up in the bunker at the end.
Unfortunately, You, Me and the Apocalypse Season 1 Episode 3 confirmed my fears, because let's face it: this episode was boring.
I was hoping that either the mysterious conspiracy plot or the fun, dynamic characters would be enough to capture my attention. But the plot is moving at such a slow pace that any new clue dropped here and there is too little, too late.
There are only ten episodes in this mini-series. Every episode has to count.
So we learned that Jamie's birth mother, Mary, is somehow connected to the conspiracy. We find out Layla has a daughter, who may have supernatural abilities. That's...about it. Everything else was filler.
There's nothing terribly wrong with filler, or slow-moving episodes for that matter. But if you're choosing to draw out the mystery, you better make sure we're invested enough in the characters to go along the ride.
And so far, the characters are pretty lackluster, and the laughs are few and far between. Is this show a comedy? Is it a drama? It's perfectly fine to be both, but right now, it's neither.
It isn't all bad. The little giraffe girl, Jane Doe, is definitely intriguing. The possible existence of the supernatural in the end times could prove to be an exciting storyline. I love the constant back-and-forth between Celine and Jude on being religious or being rational.
Why did the monk leave the monastery? Because he was cloister-phobic.
Jude
We've seen Jude as the cynical priest, someone who has faith, but is forced to constantly question it. On the flip side, there is Celine, who is somewhat naive and innocent, just starting out her religious journey. Her faith hasn't yet been tested, but she her approach seems to rely on the rational and logical.
But now, after hearing Jane Doe utter impossible and foreboding things, she is clearly shaken. Jude and Celine's journey is actually the only story right now that I'm looking forward to delve into in the future. Will religion prove to be real in the end? Will they find the messiah, or the antichrist, or neither?
I'm still enjoying Rhonda. Jenna Fischer plays her with enough sincerity and pathos to make me feel for her plight, while at the same time letting her comedic chops shine.
Watching her step on squeaky toy after squeaky toy was highly enjoyable, as was her completely nonplussed look when listening to Buddy reveal his predilection towards cross-dressing.
Buddy: This is me. Just a regular Joe who likes to wear pantyhose. Does that bother you?
Rhonda: No, not at all.
Buddy: In that case, do you mind if I go change?
Speaking of Buddy, it was great seeing Nick Offerman in this little cameo! There was almost a Parks and Recreation reunion with his former co-star Megan Mullally, but alas, they never did get a proper scene together.
Rhonda and Leanne, after numerous scenes of Rhonda attempting to ditch Leanne, finally decide to team up together. This duo might become more enjoyable to watch now that they're not constantly at each other's throats. Here's hoping for some crazy hijinks from this unlikely pair.
Now, on to the bad. I couldn't care less about Scotty. We hardly know anything about him, for one. And the characterization we are getting isn't so flattering.
So far, he's proven to be a spineless brother who won't make an effort to help Rhonda, and a secret-keeper of the useless Operation Savior and the questionable bunker in Slough. His scenes are dead weight, but I'm willing to give him a chance to see how he fits into the greater storyline.
As for Jamie and Ariel, it seems like their story is the main driving force behind the show. I suppose I'm interested in finding out what exactly happened to Layla, and what their mother has to do with everything.
However, a lot more information is still needed, and throughout the investigation Jamie is acting like a wet blanket as he traipses around England with his goofy sidekick, Dave.
Sure, his desire to find Layla is sympathetic, but Jamie himself is not. Jamie definitely needs Dave to help enliven his scenes.
That being said, Jamie did provide the sweetest moment of the episode, and that was when he helped deliver Skye's baby. When the baby had trouble breathing, Jamie movingly pleaded that there was still stuff worth fighting for in the world.
Jamie: We can't deliver a baby!
Dave: Yes, we can! Positive mental attitude.
Jamie: I think it takes a little more training!
The idea of a baby being born just 32 days before the end of the world is lovely sentiment, proving that it's the little moments of humanity that are worth living for, even knowing that everyone is eventually going to die.
Did you all enjoy this episode? Do you think that giraffe girl could really be the messiah? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Don't forget you can watch You, Me and the Apocalypse online right here on TV Fanatic!
