Warning: This article contains spoilers for Nobody Wants This
Though most of the Nobody Wants This characters are nuanced and easy to empathize with, I cannot help but hate one character that the show wants us to love. Since my first watch-through, Nobody Wants This has quickly become one of my favorite rom-coms in recent years. The story follows an agnostic podcaster and a charismatic rabbi who fall for each other despite all their cultural and familial differences – a fun take on the star-crossed lovers trope with many entertaining characters who are beautifully messy.
While Noah and Joanne are the main characters in Nobody Wants This, the others are just as important in shaping the plot. The couple’s families function as antagonists who pull them apart, but I found that almost all of them have some qualities worth celebrating. There’s only one character that I came out of the show hating, and it hasn’t changed, no matter how many times I watch Nobody Wants This.
Sasha Is A Terrible Husband And Father In Nobody Wants This
Sasha Leaves All The Housekeeping And Parenting To Esther
Even though Sasha is one of the few Nobody Wants This characters who supports Noah and Joanne’s relationship, I cannot stand him. From the beginning of episode 2, his behavior and words were deeply off-putting to me. I find it upsetting that he ditches his wife to go to a bar with his brother and two women and feels comfortable lying to her about it. However, by the end, I couldn’t stand him. Throughout the entire season, he doesn’t seem like an active parent or partner.
He doesn’t participate in planning Miriam’s bat mitzvah or taking care of the house. Instead of saying what he thinks in situations, he constantly defers to his wife but then acts like she’s domineering any time she takes control. Sasha also trash-talks his wife, Esther, behind her back. It’s hard for me to tell whether this is the modern equivalent of the old-fashioned “ball and chain” jokes or if he genuinely doesn’t like his wife. I don’t actually care, though. He speaks about her in a mean-spirited way that isn’t acceptable.
Additionally, Esther praising him for helping Miriam with a problem is unbelievably kind because I think he did the bare minimum. As a parent, he’s responsible for emotionally supporting his daughter. There’s no reason that his immediate reaction to Miriam needing someone’s help should been, “Oh no, that someone’s me.” He also shouldn’t expect his helping Miriam to be a turn-on for Esther. The whole situation makes it seem like he has no involvement in parenting his own child.
Sasha Is Wrong For Hiding His Friendship With Morgan
Sasha Lying About The Friendship Makes Him Seem Sketchy
In addition to being a subpar husband and father, Sasha’s friendship with Morgan isn’t okay. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with men and women being friends; that’s an outdated idea. It’s also healthy for people to have friendships outside their marriage. Instead, the problem is Sasha’s lack of honesty. He doesn’t tell Esther about their friendship and even hides in a bathroom to call Morgan, which is unquestionably sketchy behavior.
While Esther’s misdirected anger is hurtful, it doesn’t compare to Sasha repeatedly lying and flirting with another woman.
He also compliments her, calling her “cool as hell” and telling her she’s the hotter sister. Context is really important in this situation. I don’t think these statements are inherently wrong between friends, but when Sasha hides that friendship and lies, the connotation changes. Then, when Esther looks at his phone in the season finale, his messages are flirty. I fully agree with actress Jackie Tohn’s statement to TV Line. She said, “You can have a friend, and if someone needs a ride, give them a ride. But, like, why’re you being cute with someone else?”
On top of his lies, Sasha also breaks Esther’s trust by saying he’ll keep the secret about Rebecca and then telling Morgan. This is a morally gray area because the secret drove a wedge between Morgan and Joanne. It’s understandable that he wants to help. If he had felt that way, though, Sasha should have told Esther that when she asked him to keep the secret. Ultimately, the questionable friendship between Morgan and Sasha is one thing Nobody Wants This season 2 will need to address.
Why Esther Is A Better Character Than Sasha In Nobody Wants This
Nobody Wants This Demonizes Esther To An Unreasonable Degree
Esther is my favorite character in Nobody Wants This, and I may be biased, but I don’t understand why the show demonizes her. She’s a better parent, friend, and partner than Sasha. Miriam knows she can turn to her mom in a moment of need. In their marriage, Esther supports Sasha, encourages him to ask for the job title he wants, and celebrates his positive moments with Miriam. On the other hand, Sasha’s efforts seem limited to initiating sex, suggesting they go out for spicy food, and carrying a box.
If Joanne and Morgan are allowed to have flaws and remain lovable in
Nobody Wants This
, Esther should be given the same grace.
I understand why Esther’s hostility towards Joanne bothers some people, but Noah moves on from her best friend in a matter of weeks despite their being together for three years. That’s his right as an autonomous person, but it’s understandable why Esther would react negatively to the situation. She’s extremely loyal to her best friend and sees Noah’s actions as disrespectful. Moreover, her first statement to Joanne after the first basketball game toward the end of Nobody Wants This reaffirms she’s upset not because of who Joanne is but because her brother-in-law brought Joanne around too soon.
Unfortunately, Esther misdirects her feelings by taking it out on Joanne. I don’t condone Esther calling Joanne and Morgan “wh*re number 1 and wh*re number 2.” It’s mean, and the word “wh*re” is rooted in misogyny. Still, if Joanne and Morgan are allowed to have flaws and remain lovable in Nobody Wants This, Esther should be given the same grace. Additionally, while Esther’s misdirected anger is hurtful, it doesn’t compare to Sasha repeatedly lying and flirting with another woman. At least she’s being honest and direct about her feelings.
Source:TV Line