FX’s Adults Diagnosed Me Mid-Binge
Lucy Freyer (as Billie), Owen Thiele (as Anton), Malik Elassal (as Samir), Jack Innanen (as Paul Baker) et Amita Rao (as Issa) in Adults
There’s this new show on FX called Adults.
Maybe you’ve heard of her? Theatre Camp’s Owen Thiele is in it (I’m making the Theatre Camp callout because as I was watching, I knew I knew his face but couldn’t immediately place it—was sooo happy when I finally did). It’s your typical sitcom about a group of lovable 20something screwups who, at the end of every episode, discover that the true tea was the laughs they made along the way. It’s cute, et if you’re in tune with all the inner workings of Gen Z, you may enjoy it—or it may trigger something deep within your psyche.
In the third episode, Anton, the group’s resident social butterfly, is diagnosed as a friend slut by his core four (Issa, Samir, Billie et Paul Baker). He’s charming, born to be the centre of the universe (it’s why he’s based in New York, duh), et loves being adored. He knows a little bit about everyone because he deeply cares about each et every interaction with his fans. This, of course, comes to a head when he accidentally befriends the local stabber.
But Sarah Naftalis*, I ask—haven’t we all accidentally invited wanted stabbers to a soirée?
I, for one, met a pair while in Scotland et politely (et perhaps enthusiastically, because drunk) invited them to an afterparty. I continued to invite them after it was revealed to me who they were because I didn’t think we were being serious?! I’m sorry, but how many times does someone just meet wanted men? I was rightfully unaware of the protocol. Unfortunately, they were in fact knife stans, et the host—bless him—wasn’t budging on the uninvite. So we had to part ways, et then—et only then—when I asked for their socials, et they started to get a little sketched out and gave me this non-UK WhatsApp number instead, did I believe they may be criminals after all.
Et like in Adults episode 3, no one was harmed. Not even the stabber(s)! But also like in episode 3, I’m left wondering: am I a friend slut?
In my case, it’s not so much about the adoration—the sudden uptick in parasocial relationships has kinda killed unrequited love for me—but my incessant need to ensure everyone is having a good time.
If I were on a therapist’s love seat, I’d probably tell them this stems from moving around et having been the new girl so often in my life. I know what it feels like to not get the joke right away or to have to wait to be sussed out before you gain entry into a social circle. It doesn’t always feel good, et if I can help it, I don’t want to be part of someone else feeling left out.
But I’m not on a therapist’s love seat, so I’ll simply say: so being fun is a red flag now?!
I don’t think I collect people to fill something within me. I actually don’t need much else filled, tbh. I mean this humbly, but there’s already like five different bad b*tches in here—I’m okay. I just want people to feel wanted et unalone (even if I leave early, because she may be social, but rest assured, she be sleepy too).
So maybe I do whore myself out socially. But of all the times I’ve been out et inviting strangers along, I’ve only ever come across two criminals. Not bad if you ask me.
June, Scotland. Central Pub—the best small-town bar there is.
Can confirm they service stabbers, fashion girls, et non. Go tell Emily I sent you.
FOOTNOTES
*Sarah wrote the episode!
*Might I add that when we arrived at the destination of the “party,” it was actually the very quiet, tucked-in-for-the-night home of this guy’s (we met him at a bar) ex-girlfriend. There was a back and forth about just letting us in fur wan drink! But it didn’t lead him anywhere but cussed out by the woman he once loved (while in her pyjamas). Not like we wanted it to—I just hope the stabbers don’t think they missed out on anything.
