Nobody Wants This Finale Recap: You Can’t Have Both

As a longtime fan of romantic comedies and a seasoned observer of human relationships, I must say that this scene between Joanne and Noah is nothing short of heart-wrenchingly beautiful. The way Bell and Brody portray their characters’ love and struggle is both poignant and authentic.


Alright, let’s review the makeup looks of Morgan and Joanne since it seemed predictable. Despite Sasha’s attempts at being tough, our towering oddball is actually quite endearing, making it unlikely for him to maintain any secrets!

When Noah prohibits him from disclosing any rumors (It’s no fun! He doesn’t grasp how tantalizing this information is!), Sasha opts to disregard his instructions; he feels compelled to confide in Morgan. “I need some freedom from these shackles!” he expresses to her, speaking on the phone with Joanne in earshot. (She’s there for a podcast recording, not out of choice.) Her secret was exposed all along; Rebecca was deceiving. Kudos to Joanne, she apologizes promptly. In fact, Morgan makes her repeat it, this time in a more submissive and sincere manner, but she does as told. She admits to Morgan that not only is she sorry for her words but that she’s an exceptional business partner and her dearest friend. She adores her. One aspect I appreciate about Nobody Wants This is that, unlike many series, the characters here acknowledge their errors swiftly. No one is flawless, but everyone, in due time, accepts responsibility. It’s invigorating! Just like Sasha, I too enjoy the liberation that comes from witnessing people going to great lengths to maintain a lie or the complications arising from misunderstandings that could be resolved with straightforward dialogue. This show offers us those straightforward dialogues. Very refreshing.

It’s quite convenient, actually, as when Morgan learns it isn’t just Rebecca trying to sabotage her sister’s relationship with Noah, but his entire family, and they’re all at a bat mitzvah right now, Morgan has no tolerance for this. They are attending the bat mitzvah, and only she gets to protect her sister from any interference!

Poor Miriam, it seems everyone overlooked her discomfort with the bat mitzvah theme “Miriam Take A Bite Out of the Big Apple” and her unflattering dress. Despite Bina being in charge, no one suggested scaling down the oversized apple basket that a young girl like Miriam was expected to walk through the crowd with. Inevitably, she trips over it. Later, we find her distressed in the restroom, cutting her dress into a more appealing version. Fortunately, by this time, her mother is more than willing to help. This day is meant for Miriam, after all!

The incident wasn’t entirely unfortunate. It was certainly awkward, but moments later, Joanne and Morgan burst through the doors, elegantly dressed, causing a stir since apparently not many people have seen blonde women in dresses before. Strange, if that’s true! Meanwhile, Miriam’s coming-of-age moment wasn’t as grandiose as it seemed when Noah announced it, because as it turns out, it mainly involves canceling social engagements – a reality that resonated all too well. However, the focus today is on wrapping up matters with Joanne and Noah.

Joanne shares exciting news – After a casual brunch with friends and a quick online search, she’s decided to convert to Judaism. If the show Nobody Wants This gets another season (which I’m not against), I hope they develop Joanne’s character better. At times, she seems like a driven, passionate, and intelligent person, but other times, she behaves quite differently. Her speech to Noah about wanting to be a part of his world and doing anything for him is very romantic, yet it seems she could have done more research. When Noah gets genuinely excited (men really can have it all!), she mentions that she wants this change for herself too, but it’s unclear if she has given the decision much thought. However, she quickly approaches Bina to give her a reassuring hug, and honestly, Bina deserved it.

Without a doubt, one of the most bitingly sarcastic moments is when Morgan accidentally knocks into Rebecca while she’s reading “Where the Crawdads Sing” at the bar, and after Rebecca confirms she hasn’t finished the book yet, Morgan retorts, “Well, good news, Kya’s the murderer, so…” before sauntering off. This level of rudeness is truly exceptional, and I must admit, I tip my hat to Morgan’s audacity.

At the bat mitzvah, Joanne appears to be thoroughly enjoying herself, dancing energetically with her sister, participating in Hava Nagila, and sharing a slow dance with her partner who passionately discusses his joy about converting to Judaism. However, as the night progresses, several incidents occur, causing the mood to shift.

Joanne observes Rebecca becoming upset and departing. She locates her outside of the gathering, perhaps to repair any potential issues or simply because she senses Rebecca’s pain and wishes to show kindness. In any case, the novel “Nobody Wants This” provides this opportunity for Rebecca. It allows her to portray a more complete character. She isn’t merely a bitter woman fixated on marriage; instead, she is someone whose aspirations and dreams for the future were shattered. She admits to deceiving Morgan, but insists it wasn’t typical of her, even though it was momentarily gratifying. Rebecca seems puzzled as to how Joanne could fit into Noah’s life. When she informs Joanne about the numerous responsibilities that come with being married to the head rabbi, she is not being malicious; rather, she is delivering the truth. Joanne appears overwhelmed by the weight of these obligations. “It should feel like positive pressure,” Rebecca tells her. It should feel like an honor and a privilege to represent the temple and to be the head rabbi’s wife, but Joanne does not experience any of that. “I hope it’s what you truly want,” she says before departing. None of this is intended to be hurtful or petty; instead, Rebecca is the only one who is being honest about this significant decision that Joanne is making. The experience won’t just be romance and happiness; it will also be challenging.

Immediately following their conversation, Joanne notices Noah speaking with Rabbi Cohen, who assures him that while the board’s approval is necessary, he seems confident he’ll get it – a fulfillment of Noah’s lifelong ambition. Seeing his joy, she feels compelled to draw him aside.

This discussion seemed inevitable all along, yet it doesn’t make the emotions any less poignant or tragically romantic. Honestly, it’s like a punch straight to the heart, Bell and Brody! Joanne adores Noah, and he cherishes her as well. However, she can’t commit because she isn’t ready, and she’s unsure if she ever will be. In despair, he pleads for them to slow things down and insists he doesn’t want to lose her. “You require me to be something I can’t guarantee I can become. If I falter even a little, your entire life could crumble. That’s not fair to you.” This conversation demonstrates maturity and sincerity. Would Joanne’s podcast listeners ever suspect she was discussing such a heartfelt dilemma?

Joanne informs Noah that he cannot possess two conflicting realities: neither can he keep her nor pursue his dream career, his ideal life. She emphasizes that she would never compel him to prioritize one over the other, and advises him against chasing after her.

On what should be Noah’s most joyful evening, news spreads that he’s likely to land the job and people are offering their congratulations. However, his father notices him looking dejected at a table. The father reminds him, “This is what you’ve dreamt of your entire life,” urging him to feel proud and exhilarated. Yet, it’s clear from Noah’s expression that perhaps this isn’t the dream anymore; there might be something or someone else that has captured his heart. I may not be the most poetic, but I can’t help but be drawn into the suspense of a romantic climax – after all, he is going to pursue her!

Joanne boards the shuttle bus towards the parking area, visibly emotional. For a moment, she suspects he might be trailing her, but it turns out to be just another kid. She’s coming to terms with the fact that it’s all over in her mind.

Noah is there in the parking lot, waiting for her. She had hoped he would follow her, but she’s still unsure about how this could possibly work out. “You’re correct,” he says to her, “I can’t have two things at once.” Then, he embraces her and kisses her, and it feels amazing. Oh my goodness, she might be pregnant! I might be pregnant! He can’t have both, and he is making a choice – her.

This finale wraps up Joanne and Noah’s tale nicely, leaving us content with the resolution. However, it undeniably hints at a potential second season, as there are numerous aspects to explore from this twist in their storyline. For now, let’s revisit all those romantic scenes featuring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, because honestly, nobody is kissing quite like they do. Now, I admit it might sound peculiar, but I stand firmly behind that statement.

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2024-09-28 04:54