‘Platonic’ Season 2: Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne Return for More Cringe and Hilarious Mayhem

Alci Rengifo

The joy of watching Apple TV+’s “Platonic” is how it sticks its title. It really is about a platonic friendship with all of the tenderness and cringe that comes with it. Seth Rogen remains on a roll after a string of sharp comedy hits based around his down to earth persona. Rose Byrne is the perfect counter because she is a bit more stylish and centered, though prone to her own bouts of endearing dysfunction. The heart of this show is to watch their characters live and maneuver microcosmic developments that can have major aftershocks in a buddy situation. It’s easy for people to say “we’re just friends,” but even if it’s true anything can create major existential crises. There’s little doubt the authenticity owes to showrunners Nicholas Stoller and Francesca Delbanco (who plays a minor role in the series) are an actual married couple.

When we catch up with our duo they are going through some rather mundane life changes. Will (Rogen) is now an exec for J-6, the gastropub chain that used to be called Johnny 66. He’s also about to get married with boss Jenna (Rachel Rosenbloom). Preparations are underway for engagement parties and bachelor outings. Best friend Sylvia (Byrne) is meanwhile facing some uncertainties in her event planning business while husband Charlie (Luke MacFarlane) is still doing fine as a lawyer. Charlie has also been hit by a mid-life crisis that has him obsessed with wanting to go on “Jeopardy!” Will and Sylvia confide in each other but it’s getting more complicated because Will isn’t so sure about his engagement. Does he really click with Jenna? Why don’t they have sex more often? These are questions that for Sylvia raise real alarm. She also begins to struggle with what happens when friendships mean including everyone else that walks into the picture.

“Platonic” seamlessly enters its second season as TV comfort food that is easy to follow and smile along with. The running story thread this season is Will’s marriage plans, but episodes as also work like vignettes. Good sitcoms tend to offer something fresh with every chapter. Here it comes in the form of some new screw up involving one or both of the leads. Will and Sylvia are the perfect friendship built out of opposites who have their flaws in common. In an early episode they go on a mini adventure during Will’s own engagement party that leaves Jenna annoyed and is the beginning of a simmering friction. Will gets caught crushing on a cute younger sandwich place worker, even if he knows nothing about her (Sylvia also points out her Deadpool tattoo). A great theme explored is the awkwardness of slowly becoming the third wheel. Sylvia starts to resent Will even hanging out with other friends without letting her know. She also takes on that mood of becoming your friend’s overseer, being blunt about the clear lack of chemistry between Will and Jenna. Someone else might just shrug and conclude it’s none of their business. If that were the case with Sylvia we wouldn’t get wonderfully stinging comedy. An outing with Jenna leaves Sylvia stunned when the former calls her “nothing.”

The supporting roles also add much more to the comedy this season, especially Luke McFarlane as Charlie, who clearly loves Sylvia but is going through his own internal motions. He starts goofing off more and doesn’t know what to do when she proposes being an event planner for a party his office is hosting. At least their sex life remains constant, to the point that Sylvia uses it almost as a barometer of shame for poor Will. Andrew Lopez is also a stand out as Reggie, Will’s business partner who provides simple observations or helps cause chaos at a gathering by losing his tab of acid in someone’s glass. Aidy Bryant, Beck Bennett and Kyle Mooney of “Saturday Night Live” also drop in for pleasant guest spots. Carla Gallo brings great suburban absurdity as Katie, a friend of Sylvia’s with a podcast called “Boss Mama.” They swirl around the relatable issues plaguing Will and Sylvia including questions of how ok it is to record your friends without their knowledge, at least when you feel left out. 

Much of “Platonic” thrives on humor that also focuses on that emerging millennial experience of entering your 40s with everyday details taking on new meanings. Sylvia is hyped going out for Will’s bachelor party as if it is going to be a total rager, only for it to end with bickering and Will wanting to watch a 4D whale documentary. She may be sporting leather pants before going out the door, but now Sylvia’s daughter asks why she has “newscaster hair.” Current culture war fixture Sydney Sweeney gets tossed in during a dinner conversation enhanced by low grade cannabis pills where Sylvia gets annoyed over these older guys obsessing on a “27-year-old idiot.” Will faces more urgent private agonies to deal with, like a sudden wet dream that testifies to his pathetic sexual situation at age 43. “Platonic” knows how to cringe that way while still having genuine affection for its characters and the audience. It’s a friendship still worth catching up with.

“Platonic” season two begins streaming Aug. 6 with new episodes premiering Wednesdays on Apple TV+.