Playing PTSD for Laughs in 'You're the Worst'

Warning: You're the Worst (returning for season 2 this week on FXX) isn't a comedy about characters with a few irritating quirks who ultimately mean well. It's a very black comedy about two horrible people who manage to find each other and try to have a relationship that allows them to stay horrible. It's most definitely not for everyone, but if you tune in and find it funny, you'll think it's one of the most hilarious shows you've ever seen, although most of you will be deeply offended and despair for the future of our culture.

What's most interesting to us is the character of Edgar Quintero (played by Desmin Borges), a veteran who's barely functioning as he works his way through PTSD. He ends up rooming with lead character Jimmy Shive-Overly, one of the show's horrible lead characters. Jimmy constantly abuses Edgar, but he constantly abuses everyone in his life, so it's not like he's persecuting his roommate. Over the course of season one, Edgar emerges as the only character with redeeming personal qualities even though he's still not really a capable member of society.

In an interview with the Washington Post, creator Stephen Falk talks about bringing the issue before an urban, educated audience that usually gets to ignore the reality of men and women returning from war: "It's not something that's super-visible or talked about. ... It's a problem of other people, like a rural thing or a lower-class thing. It's just not something that kids who read Pitchfork, who watch 'Rectify' and can't stop talking about 'Girls,' have to really deal with a lot. But it is a reality."

As most of us realize, military humor can have a very funny dark side. You're the Worst is fully committed to its bleak worldview and it's fascinating (and even refreshing) to see a serious issue treated with something besides the overwrought reverence that so many movies bring to veteran issues. If you're easily offended, though, you might want to stay away.

You can catch up with season 1 for free on Hulu or buy episodes from Amazon or iTunes. If you were a fan of season 1, please note that the show has moved from the FX network (the Sons of Anarchy one) to the FXX network (the one that seems to play The Simpsons all the time).

Desmin Borges and Stephen Falk gave interviews about the character last season to GiveMeMyRemote.com and we've embedded them below.