A disastrous awards night, an unwelcome houseguest, and a relationship reckoning: Youth sends Alex out of its first season with plenty to handle—and plenty to laugh about.
Youth wraps up its debut season with a funny, heartfelt finale that puts Alex through the wringer while leaving a few intriguing questions for next season. After discovering Patrick’s hurtful pros-and-cons list about her, she’s understandably devastated, but she won’t let him dictate her future. Sharon Horgan is terrific throughout, balancing Alex’s emotional vulnerability with the messy, unpredictable humor that makes her such an entertaining character.
The Women’s Lit Awards provide the perfect setting for the evening’s chaos. Between a painful UTI, Patrick’s increasingly desperate messages, and an unexpected medical emergency involving a guest, Alex has little chance to process her breakup. With Sam absent and professional responsibilities piling up, she tries to keep the event—and herself—from falling apart. Her attempts to do the right thing are often wonderfully awkward, and the episode finds plenty of comedy in her efforts to navigate one disaster after another.
Ruairí gets a welcome moment of happiness after spending much of the evening convinced he’s ruined his chances with Plum. When she finally arrives and explains her absence, the two reconnect. It’s a sweet resolution that offers a little breathing room amid Alex’s troubles.
Alex, meanwhile, wakes up the next morning in Malcolm's apartment, the creepy, deeply irritating author who's been a thorn in her side. The show leaves questions about exactly what happened between them unanswered, but her subsequent walk of shame is hilarious. Then comes another complication: Sam calls with good news about Alex’s career, only to reveal that Malcolm has signed with the agency. Whatever happened that night, she’ll now have to work with him.
The finale’s most important moment, though, comes when Patrick arrives at Alex’s door hoping to repair their relationship. She stands her ground, recognizing that she can't simply overlook his dishonesty and uncertainty about their future. She acknowledges that he may want a family she might not be able to give him, but refuses to set aside her own needs just to keep them together. For a character who has spent much of the season balancing everyone else’s expectations against her own happiness, it’s a quietly powerful moment.
The closing scene, with Alex retreating to Ruairí’s bed for comfort, is a lovely callback to the premiere and a reminder of the relationship at the heart of the show. Rather than resolving every complication, the finale gives Alex a moment of connection—and that feels like the right place to leave her.
Funny, charming, and emotionally satisfying, Youth ends its first season on a strong note. Malcolm’s arrival at the agency promises further trouble, but I’m glad a second season is on the way. I’m looking forward to spending more time with these wonderfully messy characters. Overall, I give the episode an 8.5/10.
What did you think of the season finale? Like it? Hate it? Are you excited about the news that the show is getting a second season? Leave a comment.
Catch Youth on HBO Max.
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