Netflix’s 2016 mumblecore comedy-drama anthology Easy went on to span 3 seasons (25 episodes), all written, and directed by Joe Swanberg. It takes place in Chicago, with the characters exploring their sexuality through humorous and unusual situations as well as complicated interpersonal relationships that are all but “easy.”
Along with that, the cast of Easy is littered with famous actors, including Orlando Bloom, Dave Franco, Emily Ratajkowski, and Aubrey Plaza. But, despite the show’s surprising quality and authenticity, driven by the emotional storytelling and skillful character improvisation, Easy ended too quickly. This underrated Netflix gem has lately had an average IMDb rating of 6.8. Despite this, the show’s highest-rated episodes are definitely worth a watch, with heaps of positive critic reviews a testament to their quality.
Blank Pages (6,8)
Professor Jacob (Marc Maron) spends the majority of “Blank Pages” visibly exasperated about the publication of an upcoming graphic novel written by one of his former students, Beth (Melanie Lynskey), about their relationship. He tries to find comfort in his best friend Annabelle (Jane Adams) whom, after sleeping with her, he completely takes for granted, with the novel and his career still on his mind.
But, the key moment for Jacob comes later, during his conversation with Beth in a coffee shop. After reading her “controversial” novel, he finally sees her perspective on the issue: She put her trust in him and all the promises he didn’t intend to keep, and he abandoned her as soon as they shared the bed. This is when Jacob arrives at the realization that he’s been treating the women in his life horribly, and starts to turn things around with Annabelle, as the importance of paying attention to the woman’s perspective becomes the episode’s key message.
Spontaneous Combustion (7)
“Spontaneous Combustion” follows a former lesbian couple, Jo (Jacqueline Toboni) and Chase (Kiersey Clemons), and their amicable break-up after Chase asserted she didn’t want a serious commitment until she discovers who she is as a person. Hurt, Jo’s tries to preoccupy herself with her film editor career, while Chase parties and meets gains many new “acquaintances.”
Despite allowing Chase to move on with her life and trying to do the same herself, Jo generously jumps to Chase’s aid and offers her the opportunity to crash at her place, again bringing Chase into her life. Worse so, considering Jo’s just started a healthy relationship with another woman. The episode revolves around the premise that the key to every healthy relationship is mutual understanding and freedom of choice.
Side Hustle (7,1)
“Side Hustle” centers around Sally (Karley Sciortino) and Od (Odinaka Malachi Ezeokoli), who “hustle” in pursuit of their dreams. Od’s a stand-up comedian who moonlights as an Uber driver, while she’s a feminist writer, who makes a little extra on the side as a prostitute.
Now, while Od gets his comedy inspiration from the quirky customers he drives in his Uber, Sally gets her writing ideas from all her customers’ unusual intimate requests. Through these two characters’ perspectives, Swanberg deftly offers a powerful insight into the cultural differences, relationships, and sexualities of the citizens of Chicago, as well as the interesting lifestyles of the protagonists.
She’s Back (7,3)
The very final episode of the show’s 3-season run deals in a classic story of sacrificing the relationship with the person you love to follow your dreams. The protagonist is Sophie (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) who, on a flight to Chicago, finds out that her TV show was canceled and decides to finally contact her ex-boyfriend. After the nostalgic hang-out session, she opens up to Drew (Jake Johnson) about her disappointment with the path she followed and explains how much she wants a family.
Drew replies by calling her desires “fantasy,” adding “it was impossible to get over you,” before leaving her faster than she was able to catch up to him. He’s gone… and “she’s back,” providing viewers with a tragic ending to a love story, yet no closure for Sophie herself.
Open Marriage (7,3)
Andi (Elizabeth Reaser) and Kyle (Michael Chernus) are a married couple who decide to test former’s idea of trying an open relationship - something Kyle requires quite a bit of getting used to. Still, both of them find joy in this new idea, with Andi meeting a mysterious stranger, and Kyle developing a crush on his work colleague Amy (Lindsay Burdge).
Besides this, it seems that their marriage profits from the decisions, given that the episode ends with the two in bed with smiles on their faces and promises of love on their lips. Highlighted by the episode is the importance of respecting your partner and doing what makes both of you happy, despite what any social convention says.
Art And Life (7,4)
The already-mentioned Jacob - a graphic novelist and professor - is sleeping with a much younger fan (Emily Ratajkowski). However, finding out that she’s been using him for her own “art,” Jacob feels discontent. Ironic, considering he’s been using his “flings” as an inspiration for his own artistic expression. Seems like Jacob got a taste of his own medicine.
Besides, “Art and Life’s” main theme is millennial culture, which is frowned upon and berated by Jacob, who even goes as far as to call all millennials talentless. Of course, he later realizes the level of his hypocrisy and serves as an instrument Swanberg uses to provide viewers with the message that using modern technology or expressions doesn’t render millennials “selfish” or “talentless,” with the ill perception merely resulting from the wide generation gap.
Utopia (7,5)
“Utopia” is the episode that brought a bit of comedic relief and fun in the otherwise gloomy and serious first season. Tom (Orlando Bloom) and Lucy (Malin Akerman) have just discovered the Tinder app, and are keen on experimenting with a threesome.
Surprisingly, the offer comes from Annie (Kate Micucci), a teacher in the kindergarten their child attends. The whole threesome shebang ends in Lucy and Tom - still a happy couple - in bed. Happily tucked in is also Annie, now swiping Tinder in her own apartment with excitement and mirth at the thought of her next fling.
Yes (7,5)
Dating can be a really hard and tedious thing, especially if you’re over 30, like Annie from our last story. So, Annie one day decides to say “Yes” to anyone who asks her out. She figures there’s no time for her to be picky. Although she ends up with the guy who’s been right there in front of her nose the whole time (Lucas from work, played by John Gallagher Jr.), the lovable Annie definitely earned that cliche happy ending.
All in all, this great episode comes to two conclusions: Dating is not as easy as it may seem and the things you want most are sometimes right in front of you.
Prodigal Daughter (7,9)
One of our favorites, “Prodigal Daughter” provides a comical plot centered around Grace (Danielle Macdonald), a high-school senior who gets caught with a boy in her room by her rich parents. Her punishment? Regularly attending church before she starts college.
On the first day Grace arrived, the same church coincidentally studied a scripture which essentially stated that rich people won’t go to heaven. Being a resentful teenager, Grace decides to spend her college savings (all $48,000 of it) on a massive donation to the church. As her deeply religious family was also deep in cash, Grace’s act of resentment also served to show their parents’ hypocrisy. However, she regretted the decision when all that money went into the construction of a marble altar and not to the poor as she’d hoped. The story is extremely interesting and the roles well-cast, with Judy Greer playing the mother and Peter Gwinn the father. Definitely worth a watch!
Swipe Left (8,1)
The fifty-minute “Swipe Left” episode of the third season has dispersed the uncertainty in fans about the future of Kyle’s and Andi’s open relationship - inevitably ending in drama and tension.
This time it’s Kyle who’s dealing with the open marriage better than Andi, having recently acquired strong feelings for his co-worker Amy. On the other hand, Andi is going through stressful times in her relationship with a married man and begins to regret her decision.
The best moments of this episode have to be the last 10 minutes, filled with a deeply emotional conversation between Andi and Kyle at a bar. Kyle explains that he’s committed to their marriage, but a real tear-jerker is Andi’s heartfelt confession about how tragic the whole situation is for her and how much she needs to be loved by Kyle.
The episode concludes on a hopeful note as the two lovers are depicted leaving the bar together, declaring their love for each other. “Swipe Left” is the highest-rated episode of Easy for a reason; it’s a heartwarming story that will surely make you cling to your screen.
