Sort Of

The question of whether Sabi and other characters should simplify themselves in order to satisfy the most important people in their lives reverberates throughout a season as big-hearted and introspective as its wonderful predecessor.

Wonderful. ... The show (created by Baig and Fab Filippo) continues to deftly juggle silliness and sadness, often in the same scene. ... Because Sort Of works so hard at understanding each and every one of its characters, it’s very easy to love.

Sort Of sets its own rhythms. The eight-episode season is wonderfully confident; the writing is lean and sharply drawn, and scenes aren’t wasted with exposition or explanation. ... Everyone feels fully inhabited, and as Sabi’s carefully compartmentalized worlds begin to collide, a fizzy alchemy occurs.

The eight-episode season arrives full-formed and its singular confidence and full-blooded sense of fun reminded me of another delightful international comedy that premiered on HBO Max earlier this year called “Starstruck.” ... “Sort Of” distinguishes itself with the kind of winning sensibility that creates equal room for one-liners and heartfelt, sometimes roiling emotions, most of which Sabi keeps bottled up.

Sort Of has a laid back, funny vibe, which is mostly driven by Bilal Baig’s performance. Yes, the actor and character are both nonbinary, but that’s only part of the story, which is what makes the show so entertaining.

Touching, well-written, and well-acted, in an understated way. Sabi, the nonbinary main character is alternatingly overwhelmed and unavailable or witty and sarcastic- and sometimes both. Reminds me a bit of Dead Like Me in its semi-depressing but still poignant way.

I was really looking forward to this. Unfortunately, bad writing and acting make this hard to watch. Disappointing, because this showed a lot of potential. Wish they had spent more time on the script, it feels first draft.