The episode provided a bit of an "origin" story for the group, luring in new viewers to watch the first season a month before the new season releases, as well as getting fans to rewatch the show in preparation. Following the success of its first season, the second season of "Adults" is coming out this week, having already achieved a "modern classic" status despite only being released in 2025. Here’s why you shouldn’t miss out on watching the second season!
The show follows a classic sitcom structure through a modern lens. It centers around a group of four close friends and their latest fifth, Paul Baker (Jack Innanen), whose introduction and integration to the group was explored in the prequel episode that dropped just last month. Set in New York, the entire group of twenty-something-year-olds is crashing at one of their childhood homes while his parents are away. Together, they are exploring the different dynamics and closeness of human relationships, even sharing toothbrushes at one point. Navigating the current job market, societal pressures/expectations, and the awkwardness so closely tied to young adulthood, "Adults" has managed to make fun of all of this without being reductive or cliché.
With 20-minute episodes, the show is very easy to watch/binge and it always leaves you wanting more. However, there’s this great balance in the writing and the perfectly compatible performances that the comedy doesn’t feel oversaturated. The storylines and relationships have an organic feel and flow so well that, as a result, allows the viewer to connect with the show and feel as if they’ve known it (and the characters) a long time, despite it only having 8 episodes in the original season.
The second season is currently standing with a 100% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, and just from the trailer alone, you won’t want to miss out on watching it. Being relatable yet absurd, "Adults" works as a comedy show because of its current edge that highlights diversity and utilizes recent humor/references. It features individuals with different ways of thinking that come together in friendship and are, therefore, experiencing the world together as a team. With bits such as the neighbors complaining about all of them wearing crop tops all the time, the show has a childlike youthfulness of "us against the world" that is then contradicted by the show’s title.
Overall, the show is about the transition into adulthood and having to deal with "adult problems" while still feeling like a lost teenager. It is very much a product of the current times with influences from older shows, such as "Friends" and "Broad City", and even a hint of Lena Dunham’s "Girls". This was seen in my personal favorite part of the "Adults" Season 2 trailer where Zosia Mamet, who played Shoshanna in "Girls", has a guest appearance and fabulously says, "You think you’re the first ones to be young and adorable in New York?" Pointing at the classic television trope of both shows that works so well when done the right way.
Judging by the first season, the new season is poised to be even better and more evolved. "Adults" is the type of show that a lot of us crave (and need) as young people with similar feelings and experiences as the characters in the show because it reflects our world in a silly yet tender way. It’ll make you laugh and keep you entertained, and who doesn’t like that?
"Adults" Season 2 premieres August 27 at 9pm ET/6pm PT on FXX and Hulu!
