Sometimes getting older isn't the problem. It's realizing you can't ignore it anymore.
Sharon Horgan's HBO comedy Youth gets off to a strong start with a two-episode premiere that finds plenty of humor in the messy, uncomfortable realities of being 50-something. At the center of it all is Alex, a successful London literary agent whose life seems to be unraveling all at once. Her son is leaving for university, her career is becoming more complicated, her romantic life is a mess, and now her body is reminding her that she's not getting any younger.
Episode 1, “Lockjaw,” wastes no time putting Alex's midlife crisis front and center. While pitching an absolutely terrible social satire to her client Damian, her jaw suddenly locks up. A trip to the doctor confirms she has arthritis in her lower jaw, forcing her to confront a reality she's been trying to avoid. Suddenly, even eating tough food becomes a reminder that her body is changing.
Things don't get much easier at home. Alex is hoping her son's departure for university will give her the freedom to rediscover her dating life, but Ruari's graduation becomes an absolute disaster when he stages a protest and moons the crowd. A painfully awkward family dinner with her ex-husband Lorcan, his younger girlfriend, and Alex's aging parents only reinforces how disconnected she feels from the life she's built.
Her attempt to jump back into dating doesn't exactly go according to plan either. A casual encounter with Michael quickly turns into an emotional mess, leaving Alex more aware than ever of how untethered she feels. It's funny in places, but there's also something genuinely sad underneath the awkwardness. Alex isn't simply worried about getting older—she's struggling to figure out who she is now that the roles that once defined her are changing.
Episode 2, “Wagon Burner,” shifts some of that frustration into Alex's professional life. She and her business partner Sam are dealing with Charlotte, an elderly author whose latest book is so wildly problematic that even getting it published becomes a crisis. Charlotte's intimidating daughter, Miss Livonia, only makes the situation more complicated, particularly when Alex decides to go behind Sam's back and contact one of her own connections.
Meanwhile, Alex's relationship with Patrick becomes another source of uncertainty. Rupert Friend brings an easy chemistry to the pairing, but Alex's increasingly chaotic life makes it difficult for her to enjoy something that should be relatively simple. When Patrick tries to step back because he doesn't want to add to her stress, Alex interprets it as rejection and spirals. Her decision to run away from him leaves the episode—and her romantic life—in a wonderfully messy place.
What makes these first two episodes work is how Youth balances comedy with something much more recognizable. Alex can be frustrating, impulsive, and occasionally self-sabotaging, but Horgan makes her struggles feel human rather than simply turning her into the punchline. The show understands that midlife isn't necessarily about having everything figured out. Sometimes it's about realizing that the life you thought you wanted no longer fits quite as neatly as it used to.
The premiere isn't perfect. Some of the supporting characters lean toward caricature, and the sheer number of problems Alex is juggling can occasionally make the story feel overly crowded. But Sharon Horgan has created a protagonist who is easy to root for even when she's making terrible decisions, and that's a strong foundation for the series.
After two episodes, Youth has established itself as a funny, uncomfortable, and surprisingly emotional look at starting over when you're not exactly sure what comes next. Overall, I give the first two episodes an 8/10.
Have you watched Youth? What did you think? Leave a comment.
You can catch Youth on Sundays on HBO and streaming on HBO Max.
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