Life Lessons From Maron: "Nostalgic Sex Buddy"

Left to right: Marc Maron and Caroline Rhea

Welcome to a new recap series on the IFC series Maron in which comedian/podcaster Marc Maron lives life and tries to learn how to be a better person. To pay homage to the series, these recaps will be released on Fridays and chronicle the various life lessons that are presented in the 30 minute format on a weekly basis as well as a meter that determines just how angry our protagonist seems to be. Join us as we tackle the psyche of the popular angry man and pray that he doesn't lose it entirely.

Rhea

Plot: Maron's old friend Caroline Rhea comes to town and the two decide to have one night of sex that ends up with Maron feeling insecure.

A Line That Sums Up the Episode: "They don't validate." -- "Yeah, a lot of that going around tonight."

Guests Review: Having grown up in the 90's and having some familiarity with Sabrina the Teenage Witch, seeing Caroline Rhea as someone you'd have sex with was a little strange. Even then, she was a great foil for Maron and his quest to understand why he was so attracted to her despite understanding the consent to a one night stand. However, Dave Anthony steals the show by dumping a cat onto Maron's doorstep that is dying. He is so inconsiderate that his detachment mirrors the problems between Rhea and Maron, not to mention that Anthony is also having sex with Rhea. It is a wonderful triangle that is gloriously absurd in all of the right ways.

Anger Meter: 6 (out of 10)

Honestly, this is a more sincere Maron than an angry Maron. He has trouble understanding a lot in this episode and deals with it in a somewhat rational manner. With exception to the final act when he has to put a cat to sleep, he remains complacent. Even then, his screen time with Anthony brings out some hilarious and frustrating moments that play into what makes the show so enjoyable.

David Anthony

We Good?: Not a necessarily great episode compared to last week's, but the overall execution is telling of where the show could go. By comparing a neglected cat to Caroline Rhea, it allowed the shows to explore more existential themes and better understand who Maron is as an individual when it comes to attachment. I also cannot understate how great Anthony was in this episode as a lazy man who places too much investment in getting rid of a cat. Overall, a really solid episode that maintains the show's quality though it does little exciting beyond the cat story, which could have been its own episode entirely.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5