Better Things: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 116 Ratings

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Better Things

Now Playing: Better Things

Season Details & Credits

FX | Season Premiere Date: September 8, 2016

Summary: The Pamela Adlon and Louis C.K. co-created comedy series focuses on a single mother/actress (Pamela Adlon) raising three children.

Genre(s): Comedy, Drama

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E9. Only Women Bleed
Air Date: November 10, 2016
tbd
S1:E9. Hair of the Dog
Air Date: November 3, 2016
tbd
S1:E8. Scary Fun
Air Date: October 27, 2016

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Gail Pennington

Sep 8, 2016

Better Things is really about relationships between mothers and daughters, poignant and frustrating and human and hilarious. At telling that story, it's the best. Read full review

Alan Sepinwall

Sep 7, 2016

The show has a keen, charming grasp of the way parent-child relationships can sometimes fluctuate between screaming and hugging with no transition in between, and some of the most effective Better Things moments are brief cutaways to quiet times amidst the fighting, or vice versa. Read full review

IndieWire Ben Travers

Sep 8, 2016

Adlon has more than earned her time in the spotlight, and her voice is what makes Better Things fresh, vibrant and real. Next to the rest of fall’s crowded lineup of new TV, it’s unlikely you’ll find a show as refreshing, nuanced and confidant, nor will you witness a talent as consistently sharp as Adlon herself. Read full review

Collider Chris Cabin

Sep 1, 2016

The cumulative charm of this exhilarating comedy is owed to the no-bullshit demeanor has both carefully constructed over the years and yet seems to be always poking a sharp stick at. Read full review

Robert Lloyd

Sep 7, 2016

Everything here feels lived in and actual. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Sep 2, 2016

Better Things is as endearing, and as irrepressible, as Adlon herself. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

Sep 7, 2016

Better Things is a faithful female-themed re-creation of Louis C.K.'s other shows: witless and angry, mistaking contempt for satire, self-important in its clueless disregard for plot, characterization or other niceties of the performing arts. Read full review

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User Score

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7.8

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User Reviews

erolsabadosh

Sep 22, 2016

Brilliant show! Extremely well written, wildly funny and exceptionally well executed. I really can't find any fault with it, you'll either love the characters and dig the honesty or you won't, but if you do then it's a real treat. One of the best new shows in my opinion.

7 of 9 users found this helpful72

holly0297

Oct 19, 2016

Very real. Very funny. Very much needed series (along with just a few others) to aid television in its quest to hold on to its "Golden Age." The writing is great. The adult actors are great; the kids are a little stiff but they'll improve their timing and delivery within a few episodes. TheVery real. Very funny. Very much needed series (along with just a few others) to aid television in its quest to hold on to its "Golden Age." The writing is great. The adult actors are great; the kids are a little stiff but they'll improve their timing and delivery within a few episodes. The girls are adorable too. Not cookie cutter cute; just out-of-the-box beautiful like their "Mom" played by Pamela Adlon. Adlon has long deserved her own series. She is like your big sister's hilarious, wise, & cool best friend you might like to trade your big sis for. One complaint: too few episodes. We want more, Pamela!… Expand

3 of 3 users found this helpful30

charles321

Sep 26, 2016

I came across this show by randomly selecting it with knowing absolutely nothing about it. I never even heard of it. I just really needed something to watch to help my boredom. I am so glad that I chose this show. It is so funny. I love how close the mother is with her daughters and how theI came across this show by randomly selecting it with knowing absolutely nothing about it. I never even heard of it. I just really needed something to watch to help my boredom. I am so glad that I chose this show. It is so funny. I love how close the mother is with her daughters and how the daughters feel like they can tell their mom absolutely everything.… Expand

5 of 6 users found this helpful51

All_ButTrU4

Dec 18, 2021

Not much to say beyond it being a solid start of a real touching dark comedy that's written by juggernauts in their fields. Unexpectedly delightful despite the unimpressive performances of the kids

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

StanCliffBroad

Nov 8, 2016

A real slice of life. The kids work well together, though suspension of disbelief is surely tested in thinking they're related. I'm hoping the script continues to bring a smile to my face and ring the empathy bell.

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

karrezza

Mar 10, 2019

I saw her on LSSC so found it on HULU. As a woman at 50 I do like the premise, and very relatable for much of it. What is hard to swallow is the snottiness of two of kids. First two episodes, the two older are such basic a-holes, but for brief seconds, and she rolls over for them. TheyI saw her on LSSC so found it on HULU. As a woman at 50 I do like the premise, and very relatable for much of it. What is hard to swallow is the snottiness of two of kids. First two episodes, the two older are such basic a-holes, but for brief seconds, and she rolls over for them. They won't leave her room? Invite friends over in middle of night? An 8 yr old crying over earrings, then whining at bedtime? My kid stopped that at 5. Plus I really tire of TOBACCO being in shows. Why is she smoking at this age for TV?
The main thing holding me from binge watching is when I don't care about the characters. It is harder to watch, with the ungrateful brats, stereotyped as the "common brat teens and her tolerating it. I hope it improves there, as mom is likeable at least. I will try S1 Ep3 tonight. She so far, is the interesting person that will keep me watching for now. But time to show these kids as more dimensional than "I am the have parties while mom's gone, house mess, kids over, I want weed, "So and so does it!" type older daughter, the "I am the uber-feminist teen" yet will be rude to my independent hard working mom, until it is conveniently popular when giving a speech at her school that was well received, THEN mom is suddenly cool for 5 minutes. Not sure yet why her agent tried to screw her chance at a sitcom, though it didn't work out anyway. I guess will be a developing plot line. At least she finally told her gets GFTO of the car and they for a short brief respected her (or were really more worried of their own a$$es.
The 7 is for her character, but the children so far are a 3 tops, as being nothing more than cookie cutter child antagonists right now divided into three ages.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

NotchFilter

Sep 9, 2016

What a dismal show.

The coming attractions of the past month had set the bar pretty low, yet the pilot episode didn't even clear the lowered bar.

If you're having a really good day, and want to quell the happiness, this looks like the show to watch.

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

SEE ALL 22 REVIEWS

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Seasons & Episodes

88

Series Overview
Season 5

93
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: February 28, 2022
Season 4

90
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 5, 2020
Season 3

94
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: February 28, 2019
Season 2

96
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 14, 2017
Season 1

79
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 8, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E9. Only Women Bleed
  Air Date: November 10, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E9. Hair of the Dog
  Air Date: November 3, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E8. Scary Fun
  Air Date: October 27, 2016
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  Air Date: October 20, 2016
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  Air Date: October 13, 2016
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  Air Date: October 6, 2016
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  Air Date: September 29, 2016
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  Air Date: September 22, 2016
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  S1:E2. Period
  Air Date: September 15, 2016
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  S1:E1. Sam/Pilot
  Air Date: September 8, 2016