Season 1 of “Love Life,” starring Anna Kendrick as the unlucky-in-love Darby, left both of us underwhelmed. Though it was very watchable, and undeniably spoke to our passion for love stories, it was also weirdly lugubrious for a happily-ever-after tale. The chapter structure felt a bit choppy. The British (why??) narrator overexplained Darby’s emotional journey, and lent an odd whiff of pomposity to the whole proceeding.

So when season 2 rolled around, we might have given it a pass — except that the new lead was William Jackson Harper, playing unlucky-in-love Marcus. And look, we watched “The Good Place” and developed crushes on philosophy prof Chidi just like every other male-attracted person with a pulse. We were back in!

Harper’s Marcus is, like Chidi, a neurotic intellectual type, a 30-something book editor in New York with a ripped physique so unlikely that one of his lovers is compelled to ask him whether he is actually a CrossFit instructor. When the show opens, he’s at a wedding (Darby’s doomed union with Magnus, for viewers of season 1) with his wife, Emily, when he meets Mia (Jessica Williams). He and Mia have an immediate, electrifying chemistry and strike up a flirtatious friendship, which also prompts him to question his marriage to Emily, a white woman he loves but doesn’t feel truly understands him. Though Mia herself has a boyfriend, his crush on her eventually blows up his marriage, and after his separation, he begins to date again. The series follows his attempts to find love (or at least sex) with other women, even as he carries a torch for Mia.

Under showrunner Rachelle Williams, season 2 is thematically ambitious, taking on the Covid-19 pandemic and Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, and in Marcus delivers a complicated, flawed hero who spends most of the show in search of his own identity both within and outside of his romantic relationships.

It also suffers from some of the same elements that most bothered on us in season 1: the unctuous narration (again, British??), the gloomy vibe, the choppiness. The worst parts of “Love Life” season 2, in other words, are the “Love Live” brand kit parts.

In this episode, we break down the major plot points and themes, the show’s overall approach and aesthetic, and try to figure out why the “Love Life” recipe isn’t quite to our taste.

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We’ve been reading…

“Harrow” by Joy Williams, a climate despair novel set in a terrifyingly possible-seeming future.

Also, Rolling Stone’s stomach-turning Marilyn Manson exposé. In the report, numerous ex-girlfriends accuse him of rape, physical abuse, and confining them in a soundproofed booth. Just as horrifying as the actual allegations are the frequent citations of previous published interviews and Manson’s own memoir, in which he openly boasts about abusing his mom, getting turned on by making young girls afraid, and having done things that could get him sent to prison. Another fun reminder that just a decade or so ago, men not only hurt women with impunity, they were considered impish and cute for bragging about it. -Claire

Haley Nahman’s essay on the value of structure and commitment, two things I have been trying to craft since being laid off in my professional life.

Also, this NYT Magazine deep dive into the terrifyingly intense post-pandemic real estate market. -Emma

We’ve been listening to…

“Red (Taylor’s Version)” has been on constant rotation, and I’m even getting into gems I’d never listened to much before, like “State of Grace” and “Begin Again.” Especially loving the new verses on the 10-minute “All Too Well,” which seem to introduce some of her recent, more indie-girl-in-the-woods sound into her all-time classic. -Claire

Adele’s “30.” I continue to love Adele, and continue to love a breakup album. What is it about heartbreak and reflection that consistently seems to produce the most emotionally resonant, beautiful art? (Also, there’s a whole song titled “I Drink Wine”!!! Relatable content!!!) I’ll be listening to this album and weeping for the foreseeable future. -Emma

We’ve been watching…

“Real Housewives of Salt Lake City,” in preparation for an upcoming Rich Text pod! I’m at episode 8 and I’ve already collected a new mortal enemy (watch your back Duy) and so many questions about what the fuck is going on for Emma. -Claire

“Winter House,” because apparently I really enjoy subjecting myself to watching hot, 20 and 30-somethings be drunk in the snow. Also, a man builds an igloo with his bare hands in this show and it is absurd. Also also, my dear friend Miriam worked on this show, which isn’t absurd but is very cool. -Emma

We’ve been buying…

Slip-on high-tops! Now that I’m a Mom™ I have been more and more reliant on comfortable shoes that can slip on in three seconds, handle a little dirt, and stay securely on my feet as I carry a toddler down two flights of stairs. Now that it’s fall, they also need to keep my ankles warm. I just installed elastic laces in a pair of Gola high-tops, eliminating the lacing and unlacing process that made wearing them a hassle. Also easy and cute: These zip-up black leather Clarks, a splurge but perfect with leggings, joggers and jeans. -Claire

As we head into winter, I’ve fully committed to the look, feel and vibe of vegan leather. I recently purchased this vegan leather pleated skirt from Abercrombie — a bunch of sizes are now sold out, but this Nasty Gal one (currently 70% off) and this South Moon Under one achieve a similar look — and I also invested in a second pair of Commando vegan leather leggings. They are lined, so they fit super nicely and don’t stick oddly to your legs. -Emma

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