Feel Good (2020) Series Review

『Love and Addiction: Growing Pains While Discovering Each Other on the Edge』

🎥 Series Overview

🎬 Title: Feel Good (2020–2021)
🌍 Country: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🎞️ Genre: Comedy-Drama / Romance / LGBTQ+
🗓️ Production & Release: Objective Fiction, Channel 4 & Netflix / 2 seasons, 12 episodes total
⏳ Runtime: Approximately 30 minutes per episode
📢 Directors: Ally Pankiw et al.
🖋️ Writers: Mae Martin, Joe Hampson
📺 Platforms: Channel 4 (All 4), Netflix

👩‍💼 Cast: Mae Martin – Mae
Charlotte Ritchie – George
Lisa Kudrow – Linda (Mae's mother)

🧩 Story Deep Dive (Spoilers)

💕 First Encounters and the Cycle of Addiction

Mae is a Canadian comedian and recovering drug addict. She meets George at a comedy club, quickly begins a romance, and moves in together. Mae becomes highly dependent on George, and her unstable and impulsive behavior creates tension in the relationship. George is a reserved British middle-class teacher, for whom this is her first same-sex relationship. She loves Mae but struggles with Mae’s addiction issues and her own fear of coming out, resulting in conflicts.

🎭 Roots of Addiction and the Pain of Recovery

Mae returns to Canada for treatment at a rehabilitation center, confronting her past sexual trauma. During this process, she recognizes and establishes her non-binary gender identity. Even after returning to London, her relationship with George remains complex and imperfect, but both struggle to create a healthy relationship while demonstrating personal growth.

🦋 Emotional Resonance and Significance

🔍 Dark Humor and Realism

The series is semi-autobiographical, based on Mae Martin’s own experiences. It masterfully navigates between comedy and tragedy. Mae's stand-up performances reveal inner pain through dark but honest humor. This approach places the series within the lineage of British and American psychological comedy-dramas like Fleabag and I May Destroy You.

🎨 Addiction and Codependency

The show explores not only drug addiction but also the addictive tendencies of love and attachment. Mae’s emotional overdependence on George, despite quitting drugs, demonstrates how one addiction can be replaced by another (relationship addiction), highlighting modern vulnerabilities.

🎥 Gender and Sexual Identity

Mae's journey of exploring gender identity is depicted with nuance. Her gender fluidity and non-binary identity are not merely dramatic devices but central to her quest for self-realization. George’s confusion and fear while coming to terms with her own lesbian/queer identity are portrayed candidly.

🌈 Trauma and Recovery

In season 2, Mae’s past sexual trauma becomes a major focus. This addresses the root causes of her instability, addiction, and avoidant behaviors, emphasizing that recovery involves not just abstaining from substances but confronting past wounds.

🎯 Personal Rating

💕 Love Scene Intensity: ♥♥
⭐ Rating: ★★★☆