Can't Cope, Won't Cope

Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope is an Irish drama-comedy television series that aired from 2016 to 2018. The show is a dark yet hilarious exploration of friendship, life crisis, and the struggles of growing up, while providing an authentic representation of contemporary life in Dublin.

The series is a millennial drama, focusing primarily on the turbulent lives of two twenty-something friends - Aisling and Danielle. These two are inseparable friends trying to navigate through their lives which are filled with partying, men, and plenty of drinks. A glance on the surface would suggest that these women have it all sewn together, but just below it, there's a real mess.

Aisling, played by Seána Kerslake, is a fun-loving party girl who seems content with her job in the investment banking world and her heavy-drinking lifestyle. She embodies the persona of an individual who doesn’t seem to concern herself with the future, only desiring to live in the moment – a fact that significantly underpins many of her life decisions across the series.

On the other hand, her best friend Danielle, portrayed by Nika McGuigan, adopts a slightly different personality trait. As an art student, she takes a more focused approach towards her career ambitions. Yet, she’s often drawn into Aisling’s chaotic lifestyle of endless parties and spur-of-the-moment decisions.

The uniquely distinct personalities of these two characters form the backbone of Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope. It’s their interactions, conflicts, and growing difference in ideologies that encapsulates the overarching narrative.

Set against the vibrant and youthful backdrop of Dublin city, the show portrays the ups and downs of city life and the varying experiences of twentysomethings. Themes of friendship, identity, career struggles, and mental health are explored throughout the series, providing a balanced mix of light-hearted humor and deep, heart-tugging emotion.

Throughout the series, viewers witness the biggest test to Aisling and Danielle's friendship—the encroachment of the 'real world'. As their carefree post-college days come to a halt, they are confronted with adult realities and find themselves at odds with each other’s lifestyle choices.

Aisling's denial to take life seriously and Danielle's effort to march towards responsible adulthood leads to friction between the two. The series effectively highlights how this external pressure unearths deep-seated differences and straining loyalties, causing a profound image of the fearful premature end to friendship and youthful life.

By utilizing a tinge of comedy with an onslaught of life-altering drama, the creators have managed to approach themes that are complex yet relatable. It's a portrayal of life in its rawest form where every person is trying to cope with their struggles and to fit into the rapidly changing society that surrounds them.

Moreover, the show does not shy away from representing the darker side of life. It perfectly captures the disheveled, sometimes toxic, yet captivating essence of young-adult life. The cacophony of breaking hearts and dreams, a steady stream of alcohol, and the somewhat sinking reality of life all intermingle throughout its narrative.

The depth of character development is commendable in Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope. The audience truly gets a chance to delve into the lives of Aisling and Danielle, understand their motivations, and empathize with their circumstances.

Viewers can expect a lot of slang-laden dialogues, dramatic confrontations, evolving relationships, and a fair share of laugh-out-loud moments. It’s a show that will make you think, maybe shed a tear, and leave you wanting to know what happens further in the lives of these young women.

In conclusion, Can’t Cope, Won’t Cope comes across as a rich, complex, and often gritty portrayal of millennial life, highlighting the importance of friendship and personal growth amidst life's chaos. It reveals how life isn’t always smooth sailing, and yet amidst all its furore, there's space for laughter, love, and an understanding of oneself.