FX needs no introduction. The cable channel originally saw success in the early 2000s with hits such as The Shield and Nip/Tuck before cementing itself as a major network with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, American Horror Story, and Sons of Anarchy. With the acquisition of its parent company by Disney in early 2019, FX had started a shift towards original programming on Hulu, with notable examples being the recently renewed Reservation Dogs and the restaurant dramedy The Bear. The string of streaming content continues with FX's latest project -- an eight-episode adaptation of the bestselling novel Fleishman is in Trouble.
Starring Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, Lizzy Caplan, and Adam Brody, the series will focus on the titular Toby Fleishman. Toby, a recent divorcee, finds his romantic freedom thrown out of whack by the sudden disappearance of his ex-wife and the re-introduction of children to his life. In addition to the main cast, the show's supporting cast. Ted Mosby and Christian Slater are due to appear in the series alongside Maxim Swinton, Michael Gaston, and Shi Ne Nielson.
The showrunner of the series is the original author behind the show's source material, Taffy Brodesser-Akner, with Sarah Timberman and Carl Beverly as executive producers. Here's a breakdown of the show's official trailer.
Toby Fleishman Asks, "How Did I Get Here?"
The camera sweeps over the skyline of New York as narration sets up the story. Toby Fleishman (Jesse Eisenberg) can be seen alone, sitting in an unfurnished apartment, with pale blue walls and dull brown tiling surrounding him as he sinks into a bean bag. The narrator reveals that Toby has been divorced, his mind racing as he receives news that -- courtesy of his ex-wife -- his children had been dropped off a full day earlier than expected. Cutting to a diner, Toby is accompanied by Libby (Lizzy Caplan) and Seth (Adam Brody) as he vents his frustration with mild pity in response.
The narrator continues her exposition. Ever since his separation, Toby keeps wondering: how did I get here? As he ponders this, he glares out the window of his building, the framing of the window almost resembling prison bars. He enters another conversation with a woman and her partner as she questions whether he plays tennis or golf. When Toby responds, "Yeah, I played basketball," a smug congratulation radiates out from the pair.
It's then revealed that Toby became a doctor -- not for the money, but for the sense of fulfillment it provides him. When he explains that money doesn't buy happiness to his ex-wife, Rachel Fleishman (Claire Danes), she interrupts with, "Oh Toby, of course, it does! What are you, crazy?"
In a park -- sometime after Rachel's disappearance -- Toby sits with Libby and Seth at a picnic. Seth asks if Rachel is still gone, while Libby proposes the idea of something that happened to Rachel. Toby's face changes. It's neutral at first, but his eyes shift to the side as he ponders the possibility. His jaw moves, but there are no words.
This Is a Story About Everything
While first impressions gave off the idea that the show may be a lighthearted romantic comedy, a sudden change in music sets a more serious tone with a somber, almost ghostly female choir. Combined with this, the buildings of New York showcased between shots of the characters start to twist and turn upside down, possibly symbolizing the turmoil Toby is going through.
The narrator runs through a list of topics we can expect from the series: jealousy, ambition, career, and parenting clashing with lifelong friendship, money, dissatisfaction, and so on. The topics are intercut with a variety of characters, each one potentially representing their respective topic. We briefly see glimpses of a younger Toby and Rachel, smiling and happily interacting with each other. We see Libby and Seth get into a fierce argument. We see happy memories and the disappointing present, mixed between shots of Toby happily hanging out with his children. It's a tangled mix of high and low emotions that's guaranteed to tug on your heartstrings.
At a bar, the bartender tells Toby that "the world is your oyster. Look it up."
Fleishman Is in Trouble
At a grocery store, a trio of women with colorful drinks approaches Toby and declares to him that they saw Rachel. Stunned, all Toby can do is blankly stare at them and utter a single word: "What?"
In what will likely be the most talked-about shot from the trailer, we witness Rachel in the presence of another man. What exactly she's doing is difficult to discern. But while the camera zooms in on her face, she belts out an almost blood-curdling scream as the music swells. The camera abruptly cuts off to spiraling shots of bedridden patients, a dejected Libby, and Toby still standing there in the grocery store, dumbfounded.
The trailer concludes with Toby jumping into a pool, only to be greeted by a pair of officers as he surfaces. A woman accompanying the officers points him out, as if he's not supposed to be there. Cue the title card. A lot has been left unsaid, but there's just enough there to tease out the various themes the show will tackle.
The show is set to premiere with two episodes on November 17th, 2022, with weekly releases every following Thursday.