Released on Netflix on September 26, 2024, this romantic comedy, created by Erin Foster, has 10 episodes. It tells the story of an unlikely connection between a rebellious rabbi and a loud, doubtful woman. The show is mainly in English.
Cast and Characters
- Kristen Bell as Joanne – She is a cynical agnostic podcaster trying to figure out love.
- Adam Brody as Noah Roklov is a funny rabbi juggling his faith and growing feelings for Joanne.
- Justine Lupe as Morgan – She is Joanne’s witty sister and podcast partner, always ready with a quip.
- Timothy Simons as Sasha Roklov – He is Noah’s quirky brother, constantly challenging him in amusing ways.
- Sherry Cola as Ashley – She is Joanne’s funny friend who’s always there to offer practical advice.
- Emily Arlook as Rebecca – She is a character with her own intriguing romantic stories.
Plot summary
This romantic comedy tells the story of an unexpected relationship between a loud, non-religious woman and a rebellious rabbi. As their lives come together in surprising ways, they go through both funny and heartwarming moments, learning to accept each other’s differences. The show looks at love, belief, and the struggles of modern relationships, but can they truly find common ground?
What Happens When Joanne And Noah First Meet?
Joanne arrives at her friend’s party with a bottle of wine in hand and heads straight to the counter table, where Noah is already standing. She places the bottle down and, noticing him nearby, casually asks if he could help her open it. As he helps her with the wine, they naturally start talking.
What begins as a simple exchange about the wine soon turns into a playful and engaging conversation. Noah’s humour makes Joanne feel at ease, and they quickly move to deeper topics. Joanne shares her disappointment with relationships, while Noah opens up about still believing in love despite his recent breakup. Even though their views differ, there’s a clear connection forming between them. They laugh together, enjoying the moment and feeling a spark that neither expected.
What Did Joanne Tell Noah About Their Last Meeting?
Also read: The Deliverance Cast, Plot And Ending Explained in Detail
Joanne kicks off their evening conversation by telling Noah that she wouldn’t have talked to him if she had known he was engaged. She refers to an incident from their last meeting when Noah’s sister-in-law, Esther, suddenly appeared and insisted that Noah and his ex-girlfriend, Sasha, go home. Esther revealed that Noah was almost engaged, which caused a big misunderstanding between him and Joanne. That’s why Joanne brings it up, feeling a bit misled.
Even though there’s some tension from that past encounter, Noah and Joanne decide to set it aside and go out for dinner as friends. While they eat, they open up about their past relationships and discuss how their different backgrounds create challenges for them.
What Did Joanne And Noah Talk About On The Steps Of Her Apartment?
Joanne was holding a dog she found on the street when Noah approached her on the steps. He asked if she got a dog, and she replied, curious about what he was doing there. Noah mentioned that he had a rough night and found himself driving over to see her, but he hesitated to ring her doorbell at 2 AM. He contemplated just leaving without admitting he had come.
Joanne asked if he received her text, saying she overthought things when he didn’t reply. Suddenly, Noah joked about whether she was pregnant and congratulated her, playfully claiming that he knew he was a good kisser, but this was a first for him. Joanne smiled, finding it funny but also curious about why he hadn’t texted back. Noah explained that he didn’t see her message until 20 minutes ago because he left his phone in the car and apologised.
He then noticed the dog and asked, “Who’s this handsome gentleman or gentle lady you’re bringing home so late?” Joanne replied that it was a cutie she picked up. Noah playfully asked if he should be jealous, and she joked that the dog was deeply into her eyes all the way home, making her feel seen.
Curious, Noah asked where she found the dog. She explained that she discovered it on the street and mentioned her friend runs a rescue place, so she planned to take the dog there in the morning. Noah admired her good deed, calling it a mitzvah. Joanne agreed, resting her head on his shoulder as they enjoyed the moment together on the steps of her apartment with the dog by their side.
What Awkward Situation Do Noah And Joanne Face At The Adult Toys Shop?
Also read: Incoming Cast, Characters, Plot And Ending Explained
Noah and Joanne’s date takes an unexpected turn when they decide to go to a adult toys shop to find “The Obliterator” for Joanne’s podcast. This moment is important because it shows how they are willing to support each other in awkward but funny situations, which helps them grow closer.
At the shop, things become even more awkward when Noah runs into Mr. Goldberg, an acquaintance. Both Noah and Mr. Goldberg find themselves in an uncomfortable situation, which adds to the humour of the moment.
While on this adventure, they miss their dinner reservation and end up at Noah’s place, where he cooks spaghetti for Joanne. This cozy dinner gives them a chance to talk about their worries and hopes for their relationship. Noah tells her that he wants something serious and reassures her that he doesn’t see her as just a rebound. This conversation is important because it strengthens their commitment to each other and sets the stage for their relationship to grow.
What Big Step Does Noah Take With Joanne?
Noah takes a big step by asking Joanne to be his girlfriend. This moment happens after a lot of misunderstandings and tension throughout the episode.
Their plans for a weekend trip get interrupted, leading to some tough situations. Noah has to fill in for someone at the temple, and Joanne is busy with an important meeting about Spotify. Even with these challenges, Noah realises how much Joanne means to him and decides to do something special.
He surprises Joanne by showing up at her meeting with her sister, Morgan. With his charm, he wins her back by admitting his mistakes and sharing his true feelings. In a heartfelt moment, Noah asks Joanne to officially be his girlfriend. Touched by his honesty and commitment, Joanne happily says yes.
What happens when Joanne meets Noah’s friends’ wives after the basketball game?
Right after the basketball game, Joanne enthusiastically offers to buy drinks for everyone, saying the whiskey will be on her. They all head to a bar, where she serves the group and tries to connect with Noah’s friends’ wives.
In this key scene, Joanne feels nervous about meeting these women, knowing it’s vital for her to be accepted into Noah’s social circle. Initially, the wives, especially Esther, are cold and distant, leaving Joanne feeling out of place. After the meeting, she returns to Noah, hinting that she suspects these women are all Rebecca’s friends. Noah quickly agrees and pats her on the shoulder for comfort.
What Happens When Joanne Confronts Bina During Dinner?
In a key dinner scene, Joanne has a tough moment with Noah’s mom, Bina. Right from the start, the mood is tense because Joanne really wants to impress Noah’s parents, especially Bina, who doesn’t seem too sure about her. This nervous feeling sets the tone for the evening.
To break the ice, Joanne brings a charcuterie board with prosciutto, but she doesn’t realise that it goes against Jewish food rules. This mistake creates some tension between her and Bina, showing their different backgrounds. As dinner goes on, the conversation gets cold when Bina starts asking Joanne about her job and life choices. Feeling trapped, Joanne gets defensive, and when her job comes up, the real fight starts. Frustrated, she stands up and walks away from the table.
But Joanne bravely stands her ground and confronts Bina, refusing to back down. As she does this, she unexpectedly catches Bina sneaking off to eat prosciutto in the kitchen. Instead of calling her out, Joanne chooses to connect with Bina by showing understanding. This kind act helps to ease the tension a bit, but even with this connection, Bina still has her doubts about Joanne’s future with Noah, leaving some tension in the air.
What Leads Joanne To Make The Difficult Decision To Leave Noah?
An important moment happens when Joanne decides to leave Noah at the Bat Mitzvah. The episode starts with Joanne feeling unsure about converting to Judaism. At first, she pretends to be sick to avoid the event, showing her fears about fully committing to Noah’s life. However, with help from her sister Morgan, she chooses to go. While they arrive feeling happy, Joanne’s worries about fitting in and the pressure to convert weigh heavily on her.
As the Bat Mitzvah goes on, Joanne’s attempts to fit in get mixed reactions. During the celebration, she and Noah have a heartfelt talk about their future. Joanne shares her fears about converting and whether she can handle the responsibilities that come with it. In the end, she realises it’s not right to ask Noah to choose between his faith and their relationship, further again she knows she can’t have both. Deciding to leave him, she tearfully tells Noah that she loves him but believes he deserves someone who can fully support his dreams of becoming a Head Rabbi. As Joanne walks away from the Bat Mitzvah, she leaves Noah heartbroken, marking an important change in their relationship and setting up the series to explore themes of love, sacrifice, and personal identity.
Does This Series Have A Sad, Open, Or Happy Ending?
“Nobody Wants This” concludes with an open-ended finish. The final episode features an intense kiss between Noah and Joanne, leaving their future filled with hope but uncertain. Joanne chooses not to convert to Judaism, realising her decision was more about her relationship with Noah than true spiritual belief. She tells Noah that he cannot have both his job promotion and a non-Jewish girlfriend, leading to a deep conversation. Despite these challenges, the season ends on a hopeful note, suggesting possibilities for their relationship.
Is This Series Children’s Family Friendly? What Is The Age Rating?
This show is rated TV-MA, meaning it’s for adults and not for children. It has mature content on religion, strong language, some sexual scenes, and shows drug use and smoking.
