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Season 1 – State of the Union

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – State of the Union May 2019 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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96% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 50+ Ratings
Estranged couple Tom and Louise have a unique way of attempting to repair their crumbling marriage. It's not the fact they attend weekly marital therapy sessions; it's the manner in which they prepare for them. Before appointments with their therapist, Tom and Louise meet at a pub to try to get their stories consistently coherent. They delve into how their lives were before they met, what drew them together, and how, eventually, the bond started to crack. Throughout each episode, viewers are provided with an honest, humorous take on contemporary relationships.
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State of the Union — Season 1

State of the Union — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

State of the Union is an insightful and scathing collection of scenes from a troubled marriage, with Chris O'Dowd and Rosamund Pike proving to be compelling partners in sophisticated banter.

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Critics Reviews

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Eric Deggans NPR 11/23/2019
Fueled by grounded, authentic performances by O'Dowd and Pike, "State Of The Union" asks compelling questions. Go to Full Review Alastair McKay London Evening Standard 10/04/2019
It is funny, but not boastful about it. Go to Full Review Benji Wilson Daily Telegraph (UK) 09/09/2019
3/5
Pike and O'Dowd seemed to relax in to their roles; their ease with one another looked much more like that of a 15-year marriage than a read-through and a tech rehearsal. Go to Full Review Zita Arenillas Letras Libres 12/07/2019
Portrays a classic relationship crisis... bluntly and with a sense of humor. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Alison Rowat The Herald (Scotland) 10/14/2019
State of the Union worked because it was beautifully written by Nick Hornby, handsomely shot by Stephen Frears, and who doesn't like looking at Rosamund Pike sipping white wine? Go to Full Review John Boland Irish Independent 09/16/2019
The first two episodes of this 10-parter about a middle-class married couple chatting in a pub on their way to counselling sessions were perfectly fine, with nuanced dialogue and fine playing by the leads, but they were also very slight. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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11/08/2021 amazing. phenomenal. show stopping. I've never seen anything like this show and I don't think I'll ever forget about it. the directing is amazing. the acting? incredible. I cannot stress how good this show is. a solid 11/10 I've rewatched it 3 times. See more 06/16/2021 It was cute and well acted. I like both O'Dowd and Pike. Nice premise in 10 minute chunks, although I watched all 100 or so minutes in 2 days. It WAS hard while watching to ignore the most glaring problem: I would believe a guy could get bit by a radioactive spider and get superpowers before I would believe someone who looks like O'Dowd, an unemployed writer, would be married to a doctor who looks like Rosamund Pike. Add to that the premise that he won't have sex with her and there might as well be leprechauns pouring beers at the bar. See more sheila f @RT14372232 04/08/2020 everything is perfect: sharp dialogue, funny, great music touching See more 09/15/2019 The writing is amazing See more pl p @Leonardo0 05/16/2019 Well written and utterly absorbing. Although it weighs in at only ten minutes per episode, each one is densely chewy and leaves you fully satiated. Shades of Woody Allen in the direction but Hornby's dialogue anchors the show in the UK and the Brexit references help to contemporise what otherwise could be a setting in the 90s. Brilliant and a timely antidote to superhero and fantasy fare. See more Read all reviews
State of the Union — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Chris O'Dowd

Tom

Rosamund Pike

Louise

Laura Cubbitt

Gina

Aisling Bea

Anna

Elliot Levey

Chris

Sope Dirisu

Giles

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 6, 2019 Marathon Louise and Tom prepare for their first marital counseling session and try to work out how they got to this point. Details Episode 2 Aired May 7, 2019 Antique Globes Tom commends himself for the courage it took to turn up late to last week's session and promises to now be there from the beginning. Details Episode 3 Aired May 8, 2019 Syria Tom and Louise discuss the lost passion in their relationship, and if it is something that can be found again. Details Episode 4 Aired May 9, 2019 Plaster Cast Tom asks Louise to back him up in a lie with their counselor. Details Episode 5 Aired May 10, 2019 Normal Slope When Tom moves out following a bad session, Louise suggests that it could be the start of a slippery slope. Details Episode 6 Aired May 13, 2019 Nigel and Naomi When Louise complains that Tom's effort feels contrived, Tom realizes that he has to remain himself while acting differently. Details Episode 7 Aired May 14, 2019 Call the Midwife Louise admits that she's ashamed of Tom's lack of employment; the couple decide to communicate more openly. Details Episode 8 Aired May 15, 2019 Dolphins Louise and Tom reflect on why and how they got together in the first place. Details Episode 9 Aired May 16, 2019 Prison Sex When Louise and Tom discuss a breakthrough in their relationship, Louise wonders if it was, in fact, a breakthrough; Louise asks Tom to move back in. Details Episode 10 Aired May 17, 2019 Another Drink Tom moves back in and feels that his and Louise's issues are resolved; the couple agree that they wouldn't be friends if they weren't married, and look for the right word to describe their relationship. Details

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State of the Union — Season 1

State of the Union State of the Union State of the Union View more photos

Season Info

Director
Stephen Frears
Executive Producer
Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Nick Hornby, Stephen Frears
Screenwriter
Nick Hornby
Network
SundanceTV
Rating
TV-14 (L)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
May 6, 2019