HBO Review: ‘Somebody Somewhere’ Returns for An Absolutely Lovely Swan Song

It’s important not to take the best things in life for granted. Since its quiet debut at the beginning of 2022, HBO’s Somebody Somewhere has been a sweet slice of real life, following its protagonist Sam as she navigates unexpected life developments and finds comfort in the people who care about her. Somehow, despite having stayed continuously under the radar, this delightful series returns for a final round of simple and poignant moments, choosing to follow the still-magnetic simplicity of its characters’ journeys rather than manufacture and insert artificial developments to heighten the drama.

More than anything, Somebody Somewhere is about the purity of relationships. Originally drawn from the pain of Sam (Bridget Everett) losing her sister, the most organic and enduring connection is the one that exists between best friends Sam and Joel (Jeff Hiller). While they’ve certainly had a few momentous issues over the course of the show, their biggest hurdle is Joel getting serious and moving in with his boyfriend Brad (Tim Bagley). On any other show, there might be tension about whether they’d still hang out, but here, the most heartwarming scenes show Brad appreciating Sam for how much she means to Joel and even seeking out her advice for how best to pull off a sentimental surprise for his new beau.

Sam’s rapport with her other sister Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison) has been rocky, but they found common ground in season two as Tricia ramped up her business of making pillows adorned with a particular four-letter word. Following the long-in-the-works collapse of Tricia’s marriage, season three positions Tricia differently, eager to spend time with Sam and her friends because they provide her with a community and support system that she can no longer find anywhere else. Everett and Garrison are marvelous together, equally capable of tremendous comedy and heartfelt drama.

Often used for comic relief, supporting player Murray Hill also gets to take his own new path in this show’s swan song as Fred (Hill) faces pressure from his wife Susan (Jennifer Mudge) to stay healthy following some troubling red flags with potentially negative consequences. Sam is no stranger to unwanted input from others about her weight and general health, and it’s interesting to watch how Fred’s desire to take care of his body comes into play in a way that, as usual, feels tender and kindhearted, even if Sam, Joel, and Fred are approaching this topic from vastly different places.

The untimely death of actor Mike Hagerty, who played Sam and Tricia’s father Ed, just after season one finished airing reshaped the direction of this show, but Hagerty and Ed’s legacies linger on as the show prepares to sign off. The introduction of a new tenant living where their parents used to results in mockery from Tricia but a more genuine curiosity from Sam, as well as hints of a potential romance. As usual, nothing is played too big and no meeting is all that consequential, but the moments in which Sam, happier than she’s been and surrounded by people she loves, breaks down and gives in to the sadness that overwhelms her are hard to shake.

This show feels impossibly sincere and well-intentioned, showcasing people who do have flaws but don’t go out of their way to hurt each other and are able to work past differences of opinions and mistakes by talking to each other. If only the whole world could behave like this, it would surely be a much more pleasant place. Spending any amount of time with this show is a delight (catching up on a season takes less time than watching Avatar, Hiller joked in our interview), and it will be sorely missed upon its conclusion.  

Season Rating: 9/10

Awards Buzz: Could this be the year that Emmy voters finally recognize this gem of a series? Everett might be able to muster enough support for a farewell nomination, and if enough people are actually watching, maybe the show could sneak into the Outstanding Comedy Series lineup.