News & Interviews for Better Things: Season 3

Critic Reviews for Better Things Season 3

All Critics (30) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (30) | Rotten (0)

Unfolds in dreamy, fragmented interludes, which layer together to form a singular, candid illustration of Adlon's life -- a rich tapestry of s----y experiences that's somehow beautified by the way she pulls it all together.

Feb 27, 2019 | Full Review…

Sophie Gilbert

The Atlantic

Top Critic

In the end, there's no one takeaway; there are dozens, and they're delivered with the kind of beautiful storytelling that appears effortless, but actually requires acknowledgement on levels both granular and grand.

Feb 26, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Ben Travers

indieWire

Top Critic

"Better Things" is funny, but organically, and at times unintentionally so.

Feb 25, 2019 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…

Verne Gay

Newsday

Top Critic

There's no end to juicy insider gossip, backstabbing and perpetual over-striving.

Apr 26, 2019 | Full Review…

Anne Brodie

What She Said

As good, if not better, than it was when Louis C.K. was in the writer's room, season three actually feels even more relatable than previous seasons.

Apr 17, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review…

Dustin Rowles

Pajiba

Pamela Adlon is a creative force unto herself...Better Things Season 3 may be the best yet.

Mar 4, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Jennifer Lind-Westbrook

Tell-Tale TV

"Better Things" is one of TV's best sitcoms. It is heart and laughs, but simple drama at its core. In the hands of Pamela Adlon this season is poised to be even more personal and strong, letting us spend time with Sam and all her trials.

Mar 4, 2019 | Full Review…

Alci Rengifo

Entertainment Voice

It's a blessing for the rest of us that Better Things is still on television, reminding us to notice the details and the ghosts and be grateful for the mess that inevitably comes with sticking around for as many years as we can.

May 17, 2019 | Full Review…

Jen Chaney

New York Magazine/Vulture

Top Critic

Adlon outgrew her old creative partner, though obviously, the latter is a much happier development.

Mar 1, 2019 | Rating: A- | Full Review…

Danette Chavez

AV Club

Top Critic

To its major credit, Better Things simply refuses to make concessions to the classic sitcom form... Sometimes the more mirthful stuff is jammed in a script's nooks and crannies.

Mar 1, 2019 | Full Review…

John Anderson

Wall Street Journal

Top Critic

View All Critic Reviews (30)

Audience Reviews for Better Things: Season 3

• Jun 25, 2019

  Excellent. Single motherhood 2.0. This is a fast paced 40 minute show that I wish was longer. Great episodes and it tackles hard subjects with humor.
  

  Teresa S
• May 31, 2019

  Was not perfect but very entertaining
  cindy m
• May 30, 2019

  Season 1 was good, but by the time this gets to Season 3 the bathroom humor and annoying teens with their typical issues gets very played. We watched Season 1, Season 2 and couldn't make it through episode 6 of Season 3. We're done watching.
  Sebastian A
• May 26, 2019

  What happened to this show? So many interesting - and intense - dynamics going on just within the family. And yet story lines are abandoned as quickly as they are introduced (e.g. Frankie and transgenderism). Sam spends more time in the kitchen preparing meals than she does sitting down with her kids (individually or collectively) to have real, honest discussions. Wouldn't it be cool (and refreshing!) for Better Things to follow someone else around for a day, and push Sam to the background for once? Given how Better Things doles out extended coverage of her bodily functions (colonoscopy, masturbation), it's unlikely that Sam can get past herself.
  Doug L
• May 26, 2019

  Great finale, another amazing season, Pamela Adlon direct another episode, this womam, i just love her soo much, talented, great director, great screenwriter. hope she wins all the prizes.
  

  Erik K
• May 20, 2019

  Absolutely no laughs. This show used to be funny. Now it's a Lifetime drama about being a single parent. Snoooooozefest.
  

  Greg G
• May 19, 2019

  Louis C.K.'s departure from Better Things does nothing to diminish the show's quality, and instead it returns as witty, beautiful, and impactful as ever. The show's take on motherhood is head-and-shoulders above other American programs in terms of authenticity, and Pamela Adlon's roman-a-clef of Sam Fox still makes for one of the small-screen's most complex characters. At one hand tender, while undeniably tough-as-nails, Adlon's female voice is a singular one, and she's only gotten better as a filmmaker. Using really polished visual tactics (including one that intercuts scenes from the transformation sequence in An American Werewolf in London), the show presents its theme on aging and melancholy in very sublime ways, and it never feels like it's preaching to the choir. This third season almost didn't happen, but we can be relieved that even after one of the show's co-creators exited in disgrace, its chief voice only grew more omniscient.
  

  Peter F
• May 19, 2019

  Watching Season 3 was torture. I am formerly a big fan but I can't watch this dead fish flopping around on the floor each week. I'm out unless they can get Louis C.K. back somehow.
  Geoffrey N
• May 16, 2019

  My favorite show by far...
  
• May 12, 2019

  Just bloody love everything about this season. Its truth glistens. Please let this be the start of real women telling such well crafted, haunting and hilarious stories. Thank you Pamela.
  Margi M

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