NOBODY WANTS THIS: Episode 3.1
Noah and Joanne face the realities of living together in this season premiere.
Should You Watch It?
Yes, but be mindful. The Season 3 opener shows Noah and Joanne finally moving in together. The couple finds that each has habits that annoy the other. Meanwhile, Noah's brother Sasha deals with his wife Esther's request to separate.
The episode blends humor with moments that touch on the realities of living with someone. After three seasons together, the cast works well, delivering realistic performances as couples and family members. The episode also features strong writing, using its brief runtime to wrap up the central plot while introducing story elements for the supporting cast that will leave viewers eager to watch Episode 2.
This episode promotes a light moral worldview, emphasizing strong family relationships and support for others. Noah serves as a rabbi and shows devotion to his Jewish faith, while Joanne reveals her conversion to Judaism. Additionally, while Sasha and Esther face separation, Sasha makes it clear he doesn't want it and shows he's willing to do what Esther wants to make their marriage work.
However, Joanne's family encourages him to explore relationships with other women during this time, leading to discussions about sexual activity. The episode includes some foul language, light alcohol use, and implications of premarital sex, as Joanne and Noah sleep in bed together. Despite its humor and relationship drama, the sexual content and language make this one a hard pass for kids and teens.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESJoanne and Noah are finally excited to move in together. Once the shine wears off and reality sets in, the couple realizes living with someone also involves living with their bad habits. As they struggle to deal with each other’s messes, Sasha still reels from his wife Esther’s request for separation and wonders whether he should start dating other people.
Is It Any Good?
Yes. This episode earns four stars for a great, funny script, charming performances from its talented cast, and plot points that move the season’s larger story forward. It’s an enjoyable episode that fans will love, as it picks up where we left off and draws viewers back into the story.
What really makes this episode work is the humor. Learning to live with your significant other is a common sitcom storyline, but this series feels fresh and relatable. The plot’s conclusion showcases the characters’ growth in their relationship. Each cast member works well with the others and the show’s sense of humor, so the character dynamics feel lived-in and natural.
The Worldview
A light moral worldview shapes this episode. Noah and Joanne stay close to their families and value their relatives' opinions. Friends rally around Sasha and Esther as they work through their separation. Noah tells Esther he will remain her friend no matter what, while Morgan, Lynn, and Henry lift Sasha's spirits. The episode honors marriage. Sasha makes it clear he loves Esther and agrees to the separation because she wants it.
The episode briefly mentions Noah's Jewish faith and his work as a rabbi. He takes his calling to heart. Joanne shares that she's decided to convert to Judaism. However, the episode skips the deeper faith conversations from earlier seasons.
Sexual talk appears several times. Morgan, Lynn, and Henry ask Sasha about his past relationships and encourage him to date other people. Later, viewers learn Esther joins a singles app, indicating her interest in dating. The episode also implies Noah and Joanne engage in premarital sex, as they live together and share a bed onscreen.
Foul language appears throughout, alongside light alcohol use and other immoral actions. Lynn mentions ketamine use, and Joanne lies to Noah to protect her daily routine at the start of each day.Sasha's devotion to Esther points to a deeper truth the episode hints at: God designed marriage and its intimacy as a lifelong covenant. As Jesus states in Matthew 19:6, “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Dominant Worldview and Other Worldview Content/Elements
A light moral worldview, emphasizing strong family connections and supporting one another. Pro-marriage, elements with a husband being clear that he is dedicated to his marriage and doesn't want to separate. A character is a rabbi and takes his work seriously, and his girlfriend shares that she's converting to Judaism
Foul Language
7 obscenities, including 4 “f” words and 3 “sh” words, and 4 "OMG" profanities, as well as a joke that refers to a marital aid device
Violence
No violence;
Sex
Some scenes include discussions of sexual activity the main characters, and Friends ask a newly separated man about his sex life and urge him to date other people. The episode also implies that an unmarried couple has sex, since they live together and share a bed onscreen
Nudity
No nudity;
Alcohol Use
Two scenes show characters drinking wine, but no one drinks to excess
Smoking and/or Drug Use and Abuse
A character says she did ketamine;
Miscellaneous Immorality
A woman lies to her boyfriend about her work schedule to protect her routine at the start of each day, but the couple talk it over and reach a resolution.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
Noah and Joanne move in together before marriage and soon learn how hard it feels to share a home. God reserves that kind of shared life for husband and wife. Within marriage, what does it mean to “consider others better than yourselves,” as scripture says? Philippians 2:3
Sasha and Esther are separated, which Sasha struggles with, as he wants their marriage to work. How does viewing marriage as a sacred covenant with God change our approach to conflict? Matthew 19:6
Joanne has agreed to convert to Judaism. How does true spiritual conversion differ from simply changing your moral behavior or joining a new religion? 2 Corinthians 5:17
The Final Word
The Season 3 opener for NOBODY WANTS THIS marks a charming return for the popular series, with a sharp script that lets each cast member shine. The episode celebrates family and friends who show up for one another, but sexual talk, foul language, and other immorality make it a poor fit for children and teens. Adult fans will likely enjoy the visit with these characters, but they should still go in with their eyes open.
