Ep 1. Eggplant

Please Like Me is an Australian sitcom that follows the life of Josh, a twenty-something gay man living in Melbourne, as he navigates through the challenges of relationships, family, and mental health. Season 3 premiered with the episode titled "Eggplant," which continues the bittersweet, quirky tone of the show while introducing new themes and storylines.

The episode opens with Josh, played by the show’s creator and writer Josh Thomas, having a fleeting sexual encounter with a guy he meets in a bookstore. This sets the stage for the themes of casual intimacy and its repercussions that run throughout the episode. Josh's roommate and best friend Tom, played by Thomas Ward, is struggling with whether or not to confess his love to Niamh, the Irish girl he has a casual “friends with benefits” relationship with. Meanwhile, Josh's ex-girlfriend Claire, played by Caitlin Stasey, shows up for an unexpected visit with a new boyfriend in tow.

As the episode progresses, we see Josh's relationship with his mother, Rose, grow more complicated as she continues to struggle with depression and bipolar disorder. She is put on a new medication that doesn't work for her, leading to a series of frantic phone calls with Josh. As always, the show balances the serious moments with comedy, and the conversations between Josh and Rose are a highlight of the episode. There is a particularly funny moment when Josh explains to his mom what Snapchat is, leading her to marvel at how young people date these days.

The title of the episode comes from a subplot involving Arnold, Josh's boyfriend played by Keegan Joyce, who is struggling with his own insecurities. Arnold announces that he has started a vegetable garden, and is disappointed when the only vegetable that is growing is an eggplant. Josh tries to reassure him that an eggplant is a great thing to grow, but Arnold is convinced that it's a metaphor for his own life - all he can grow is an unappreciated, phallic vegetable.

Throughout the episode, we see Josh trying to balance his many relationships and responsibilities, while also grappling with his own anxiety and tendency to overthink things. This is a theme that has been present throughout the show's run, and it's handled with skill and nuance here. Josh's anxieties are never played for laughs, but are also not treated as something that defines him. Instead, they are just a part of who he is, and something that he is working to manage.

As with previous seasons, Please Like Me is anchored by strong performances from its main cast. Thomas continues to be an engaging and relatable lead, while Ward brings depth to what could be a one-dimensional character. Stasey is a welcome addition this season, and her portrayal of Claire is both funny and heartwarming. The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly Debra Lawrance as Rose.

Overall, “Eggplant” is a solid start to Please Like Me’s third season. It sets up a number of intriguing storylines that should pay off as the season progresses, while also offering plenty of laughs and heart. As always, the show's unique blend of comedy and drama proves to be a winning formula.