There is an endless amount of content being released on Netflix, and yet despite this deluge of material, there are still new series like Human ressources who find audiences and connect on a deeper level. Original programming comes and goes on Netflix, but animated series Big mouth has become one of their most consistent providers with five seasons under its belt and a renewal for at least two more years already assured.
The growing world of Big mouth was able to extend this goodwill in a creative spin-off project, Human ressources, which focuses on anthropomorphic monsters that help humans through their emotions. Human ressources finished its first season, which is building a strong foundation, but some of those episodes resonated with the fandom more successfully than others.
ten “Birth”, the first episode of human resources, bogged down in business (score: 6.9)
Early episodes are never easy, and they’re loaded with the task of a huge amount of world-building, exposition, and character introductions that can consume the entire episode. Human ressources benefits from the number of creatures and concepts on display that have already been explored in Big mouth, but this pilot episode bites off more than it can chew, and it’s not the best representation of the show’s energy. “Birth” is broken down into no less than three storylines, all of which get diluted in the process. It’s too loaded with a first that could have done more with less.
9 Malignant mum issues run amok in ‘Bad Mummies’: (Score: 7.3)
Family can provide vital information about any character, and “Bad Mummies” unpacks some of the toxic parenting dynamics that exist for its supernatural monsters. “Bad Mummies” becomes a cautionary tale for several characters about the struggles of motherhood, but it’s mostly a showcase for the Shame Wizard. The sequences in Human ressources that are most successful are those that are based on authentic experiences and emotions, so the “Bad Mummies” subplot where Connie babysits Maury’s furry “kids” represents the show at its most juvenile and the dumbest. It’s easy to see how this component of the episode can drag down the strongest material.
8 ‘Rutgers Is For Lovers’ features a powerful story about choice and codependency (score: 7.4)
A large component of Big mouth is that the main characters are all teenagers who are starting to go through the changes of puberty. Human ressources isn’t indebted to such young characters, which makes episodes like “Rutgers is for Lovers” a lot of fun. Nadja is about to start her university experience and doesn’t know if she should choose a school based on romance or ambition.
Human ressources is able to experiment with several types of sitcom humor, and the workplace comedy elements of earlier episodes struggle to fit in with the rest of the series. Maury and Connie’s relationship unease is normal, and Pete’s unwanted nickname doesn’t have the same impact.
7 “Training Day” sets a pace for the show’s many interests (score: 7.4)
During the first episodes of Human ressources, the show is still finding its voice. Episode two, “Training Day,” has the luxury of the pilot’s baggage being out of the way, but it’s still a rather awkward start for this universe. This second installment struggles with a bloated collection of storylines, all of which work to varying degrees of success. Hormone Monster Sensitivity Training is going as fans might expect, but Walter’s material with his older client, Yara, provides a glimpse of the magic this season later taps into.
6 “The Addiction Angel” is a strong concept that’s up there with the best of Big Mouth (score: 7.6)
One of the reasons why Big mouth was able to connect with audiences in the first place through the wide array of creative creatures that represent the many emotional conditions that control humans. Dante the Addiction Angel is arguably too intense a character and concept to Big mouth, but it powers some of the strongest materials of the season in Human ressources. “The Addiction Angel” also scores points by shining a light on a less conventional, but equally debilitating addiction. This episode determines the proper way to connect his dots and how the Shame Wizard is able to compliment Emmy’s Addiction Angel misfortunes seems justified.
5 “Sh*tstorm” closes first season with seismic reckoning (score: 7.7)
Human ressources is a much more cohesive television series by the time it reaches the end of its first season, and the finale, “Sh*tstorm,” brings together many of the big themes and ideas that have developed over previous episodes.
This ending ends Human ressources on a confident note that bodes well for next season, but it’s not the best the show has to offer. The sprawling chaos of this finale doesn’t quite connect in the same way as personal dilemmas. This finale effectively reiterates what is important to Human ressources.
4 “International Creature Convention” unleashes its many monsters (score: 7.7)
Episodes like “International Creature Convention” are exactly why a show like Human ressources is done first. The complex infrastructure and bureaucracy behind these ridiculous monsters is a major source of comedy, and this episode completely embraces the territory. It’s great fun to see the versions of these creatures in different countries and to have a broader look that accentuates how much freedom is present in a show like Human ressources. “International Creature Convention” also benefits from highlighting several of the main storylines of the season, as these close quarters turn many relationships into pressure cookers.
3 “Postpartum Love” engages in difficult and important conversations (score: 7.8)
Some of the best episodes of Big mouth are those who are not afraid to be melodramatic and this is also the case with Human ressources. Human ressources deserves credit for some of the heaviest ideas it fearlessly explores in its first season. “Love in the Postpartum Time” addresses divorce and postpartum depression in a way that is both helpful and thoughtful. Human ressources is guilty of cracking easy pranks on his targets, but this episode is a testament to the heights of dramatic storytelling he can achieve.
2 ‘The Light’ celebrates the beauty that’s inside everyone, even monsters (score: 7.9)
“The Light” is near the end of season 1 of Human Resources, and it’s a goldmine of catharsis when it comes to monsters on the show, like Sonya and Emmy. It’s quite powerful whenever these creatures experience their own epiphanies and are able to grow alongside their human clients and blur those lines. “The Light” also hits the right beat with its more silly storylines and all the “cockfighting” competition that erupts between Maury and Gavin should be something that quickly wears off, but is actually an unexpected delight.
1 “It’s Almost Over” is an emotional meditation on dementia (Score: 8.7)
“It’s Almost Over” is the penultimate episode of Human Resources, and it is largely focused on the final days of Yara, a client with dementia. “It’s Almost Over” presents such a thoughtful, raw, and ultimately optimistic look at this aspect of mental illness that will leave its audience emotionally devastated. Episodes like “It’s Almost Over” may not happen every other episode, but they are the benchmark. Plus, Keith the Grief Sweater is a weird joke that shouldn’t work as well and it wouldn’t be surprising if he took on a bigger role in Season 2.
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