“Splitting Up Together,” the 2018 ABC sitcom created by Emily Kapnek, stands as a unique reflection of the late 2010s television landscape. Despite its relatively short run, the show garnered attention for its fresh take on relationships and family life. If you remember the period, 2018 was a time when TV was experiencing a shift—moving away from traditional family sitcom molds and embracing narratives infused with raw honesty, modern complexities, and a dash of comedic relief.
In this review, we will explore why "Splitting Up Together" feels so distinctly like 2018: from its narrative structure, character dynamics, and thematic focus, to its comedic style and cultural relevance. This comprehensive analysis will give readers insight not only into the show's surface-level appeal but also the deeper characteristics that made it resonate with audiences of that time.
The Premise: Familiar Yet Subversive
At the core, “Splitting Up Together” revolves around Lena (played by Jenna Fischer) and Martin (played by Oliver Hudson), a married couple who decide to separate — but continue to co-parent by living under the same roof under a quirky custody arrangement. This premise flips the conventional divorced couple scenario into something refreshing and unexpected.
The show's unique custody arrangement embodies a middle ground between separation and coexistence, which was relatively unexplored in sitcoms before 2018. The reason the premise feels very much tied to 2018 is that it reflects a growing cultural conversation about non-traditional family structures, co-parenting, and evolving relationships in the modern era.
Unlike earlier sitcoms that often idealized marriage or painted divorce as purely negative, “Splitting Up Together” presents breakup as a complex but manageable aspect of life, injecting humor without minimizing the emotional undertones.
Character-Driven Narrative: Complexity with Relatability
One of the show’s strongest suits lies in its characters, who are crafted with layers and flaws that viewers can relate to easily. In 2018, TV audiences increasingly craved realism in characters, and this show’s leads deliver it brilliantly.
- Lena: Portrayed as ambitious yet overwhelmed, Lena embodies the modern working mom struggling to balance career, personal fulfillment, and co-parenting.
- Martin: A bit disorganized and more focused on his relationship with their children, Martin represents a shift in male characters from stoic breadwinners to emotionally engaged fathers.
- Supporting cast: Their children and friends add texture to the narrative, often highlighting generational contrasts and contemporary social dynamics.
The 2018 audience, inundated with overly idealized family portraits, welcomed this relatable messiness. The characters’ imperfections drive much of the story arcs and comedic moments, allowing viewers to see reflections of their own lives.
Narrative Style: The Split Screen and Time Shifts
Another hallmark of “Splitting Up Together” is its narrative structure, which frequently utilizes flashbacks to reveal key moments that led to the couple’s split. This storytelling technique mirrors popular trends in 2018, where TV shows employed non-linear timelines to deepen character development and audience engagement.
The show’s use of quick cuts and parallel storytelling of “before” and “after” moments not only adds humor but also emphasizes the growth and change of the characters. For example, we see Lena’s and Martin’s contrasting perspectives on the same event, highlighting the subjective nature of relationships.
This method keeps audiences intrigued and reflects a broader trend during the late 2010s aimed at breaking conventional narrative molds to offer richer, more immersive storytelling.
Thematic Exploration: Marriage, Divorce, and Modern Parenting
"Splitting Up Together" explores themes incredibly relevant in 2018:
- Marriage and disillusionment: The show takes a nuanced look at the evolution of romantic relationships beyond the honeymoon phase.
- Divorce with dignity: It challenges stigma by portraying separation as a mature decision rather than failure.
- Co-parenting dynamics: By focusing on shared parenting, the series acknowledges modern family challenges in a lighthearted but realistic manner.
- Work-life balance: Especially through Lena’s character, it touches on the difficulties of juggling career ambitions with family responsibilities.
In 2018, as conversations were increasingly centered around redefining family and gender roles, the show’s themes resonated as culturally relevant.
Comedy Style: Warm, Relatable, and Slightly Heartfelt
Unlike traditional laugh-track sitcoms, "Splitting Up Together" balances humor with emotional depth — a hallmark of many successful 2018 comedies.
The comedy arises naturally from character interactions and everyday situations, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere rather than relying on broad slapstick or absurdity. The humor is subtle, focusing on the ironies and frustrations that come with family life and relationship dynamics.
This comedic tone reflects a larger 2018 trend of “dramedies” or single-camera comedies that straddle the line between funny and heartfelt. Shows such as “This Is Us” and “Barry” exemplify this, and while “Splitting Up Together” leans more toward sitcom, it shares this tonal blend.
Diversity and Representation: Reflecting Changing Norms
Though the primary cast of “Splitting Up Together” is predominantly white, the show includes a diverse range of characters in supporting roles, reflecting the gradual push for inclusivity in 2018 television. While it didn’t pioneer diversity, the inclusion of characters from varying social and professional backgrounds marks an acknowledgment of shifting societal expectations.
The series also attempts to portray male emotional vulnerability and female professional ambition, pushing gender norms—a critical conversation point in the 2018 cultural climate, especially post-#MeToo movement.
Production and Visual Aesthetics: The Everyday Look
Visually, the show adopts the single-camera comedy style with natural lighting and everyday settings like homes and workplaces, avoiding the polished shine of multi-camera sitcoms from earlier decades.
This design choice enhances the realism and intimacy of the show, drawing attention to character expressions and subtle interactions. The home’s co-parenting arrangement, with characters often crossing each other's paths in casual encounters, is visually emphasized in the staging and framing, reinforcing the show's central theme of coexistence.
The aesthetic approach aligns with the 2018 TV trend emphasizing authenticity and understated production design, favoring story and character over flashy effects and grandiose sets.
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
While “Splitting Up Together” did not become a runaway critical hit, it received generally positive reviews from critics and found a devoted audience thanks to its relatable themes and character dynamics. Its cancellation after two seasons leaves one to wonder whether it was ahead of the curve in exploring non-traditional family models in a network comedy format.
Many reviews highlighted its fresh approach to divorce and co-parenting, praising the chemistry between the leads and the balance it struck between warm comedy and bittersweet realities. In 2018, with an abundance of new shows targeting niche audiences, “Splitting Up Together” served as an accessible and honest portrayal of modern family life, fitting comfortably alongside contemporaries exploring the same zeitgeist.
Comparison with Contemporary Shows
To better understand why "Splitting Up Together" feels like a 2018 show, let’s compare it with other contemporary titles from that period:
- “Catastrophe”: A British comedy also addressing complex relationship dynamics and co-parenting in a raw, real way.
- “The Good Place”: Utilizes innovative narrative techniques and existential themes intertwined with humor.
- “Modern Family”: Though it began earlier, by 2018 it too had embraced non-traditional family dynamics and character diversity.
- “Fresh Off the Boat”: Shared the family-centered comedic format while addressing cultural diversity, showcasing the increasing complexity in network sitcoms.
“Splitting Up Together” fits neatly among these shows, sharing narrative innovation, theme evolution, and modern family portrayals. Its focus on divorce as a lived-in experience rather than a plot device or punchline is particularly aligned with 2018’s movement toward nuanced storytelling.
Legacy and Why It Still Matters
Even years after its original airing, “Splitting Up Together” remains a relevant show for anyone interested in understanding how network TV was evolving in the late 2010s. It serves as a snapshot of a transitional period—the societal conversations about marriage, gender roles, and parenting were becoming more open and integrated into mainstream narratives.
For emerging content creators and fans of family-based comedies, the show offers a blueprint on how to tackle difficult topics with humor, warmth, and honesty without sacrificing entertainment. The series demonstrates that even conventional genres like network sitcoms can adapt and stay culturally relevant by reflecting real-world changes.
Conclusion: A Show of Its Time and Beyond
“Splitting Up Together” is much more than a lighthearted sitcom about separated spouses living under one roof. It encapsulates key characteristics of the 2018 television zeitgeist, including nuanced relationships, flexible family structures, and a blend of comedic and heartfelt storytelling. While it may not have received enduring mainstream fame or high ratings, its themes and style resonate strongly with the era's cultural shifts.
For viewers looking back, the show offers a thoughtful portrayal of love, separation, and parenting in a way that feels both timely and timeless—a testament to why it remains notable within the canon of 2010s network comedies.
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