This will become, for me, one of those very, very, very rare shows where I’ll bring it up once every few years and binge watch it all over again. I don’t think I could ever get tired of rewatching it on a yearly basis.
Television
Watched two seasons, but struggled with the second alot. The lead character rubs me the wrong way somehow. Have always had a problem with modest self-aggrandizement and maybe it hits a note of that for me. I dropped it and forgot about it. Any time I see the lead actor’s face in a thumbnail I cringe, thinking he’s about to give me some wholesome self-help life lesson.
Maybe theres some subtle transatlantic cultural pandering going on I’m subconciously triggered by as well - being non American and non British. All of that is probably as much my problem as the show’s. First season had me for a bit - the setup and character establishment worked for me. Maybe I’ll give s3 a go when I’m in the right mood.
I can definitely understand people being put-off by the almost aggressive positivity in the show, but I do think it has enough realistic conflict and struggle in it to balance things out, and it handles both well. I can't comment on outside perspectives on the show like yours, but I will say it doesn't change a whole lot from the themes that seemed to bother you, so take that for whatever it's worth. I do hope you're able to enjoy it, though. There aren't many shows like it.
I enjoyed the first season but then it dropped off hard from there. I did watch it all but doubt I'll ever go back to it.
I enjoyed the first one a lot, but still haven't gotten to the second. The first was so good! And I've heard about changes in the second that has made me less inclined to watch it, although I should give it a chance and make up my own mind.
The second season definitely mixes things up, but personally I don't think it's worse off for it. I'd give the rest of the show a shot if you enjoyed the first season that much.