Single Drunk Female, on Hulu, is the sober self-love series we’ve been waiting for. Admittingly, I was a little nervous when I sat down to watch this new sober dramedy on the Freeform network. As I hunkered down between my favorite quilted denim blanket made by my mom from upcycled jeans, with my two chubby Boston Terriers fighting for their spot on my lap, I tried to stay optimistic that I was going to enjoy the new series without judgment. Keep an open mind, Bryson. Keep an open mind.
After 15+ years of living a sober lifestyle, I have grown tired of how addiction gets played out stereotypically on our big screens. Please don’t be another sad show that throws shade at 12-step rooms and minimizes the work and rewards after putting the bottle down. I fell in love with this new series within the first handful of scenes, cheering the words “FINALLY” loud enough to startle my now snoring pups.
Single Drunk Female, EP 1
The show starts with our leading soon-to-be sober gal, 28-year-old Samantha Fink (Sofia Black-D’Elia), Sam, getting fired for being drunk at work and physically accosting her boss. After doing community service and spending 30 days in rehab, Sam gets picked up by her mother, Carol, played by 80s star Ally Sheedy. Naturally, I googled “How old is Ally Sheedy” right after this scene and started thinking about how much I loved the Breakfast Club. (She’s 59, in case you were wondering the same thing.)
After settling into her old childhood bedroom, Sam meets with her probation officer Gail (Madison Shepard), to plan her next steps, and Gail tells her she has to go to 90 meetings in 90 days. As someone who has done 90 meetings in 90 days, I know this is no small feat. Sam quickly rebuttals asking if she can do three meetings a day for thirty days “just to get sober real quick.” Laughing out loud, I immediately see myself in Sam. I got sober at 30, and I was looking to cut as many corners in early recovery as possible.
Sam’s First AA Meeting
Greeted at the door by Olivia (Rebecca Henderson), a put-together middle-aged woman in long-term recovery, Sam feels as out of place in her fuzzy blue pea coat as I remember feeling. It takes a while to acquire the skill of feeling comfortable in a church basement. As Olivia skitters off to check on her “harem of sponsees,” James (Garrick Bernard) walks up to Sam to clear the air about their hookup from a year ago. Only problem? Sam has no memory of James. Awe, Sam, I was a black-out drinker who slept with strangers too. I see you, girl.
Single Drunk Female & Her Bestie
Shortly after leaving the 12-step meeting, we find Sam sitting at the local dive bar, staring at a glass of water, waiting to reunite with her voluptuous best friend and single mom, Felicia (Lily Mae Harrington). In a matter of minutes, Sam decides two beers will be ok, and just like that, reunited never felt so good! This dynamic party duo is having the time of their life, dancing on top of the bar until Sam spies what we come to know as her former best friend Brit, who is engaged to marry Sam’s ex. AWKWARD. Bye, Felicia!
Sam and Felicia head outside to get some fresh air and possibly reunite with Sam’s dinner. Brit can’t leave things alone because she sees this as her only opportunity to talk things out with Sam, who has blocked her everywhere on social media. Deciding she’s OK to drive, Sam jumps into her car and crashes straight into the bachelorette party bus.
Jail Bird
The following day, Olivia magically appears as Sam peels her face off the cold metal bench in her jail cell. Having no memory of calling her, Sam is still relieved to see a somewhat familiar face to help her break out. In the car, Olivia clarifies to Sam that she’s not her friend. The two share intimate moments as a tearful Sam asks questions about sponsorship and advice on what she should do next. Olivia responds, “Try to be a person. Brush your teeth, shower, and make your bed every day.” Simple baby steps towards self-care. This advice may sound trivial if you haven’t found yourself in this situation. In my experience, this was also precisely the same advice I needed in those early days when I couldn’t differentiate up from down or the truth from the false.
Setting Boundaries
In a face-off with her mom, Sam tries to explain her way out of her situation, and her mom is not having it. After this come to Jesus, Sam realizes she’s run out of options. If she wants to stay, she’ll need to get a job, pay rent, and get her shit together.
Bad Ass Sponsor
Three days sober, Sam is crawling out of her skin when she shows up unannounced and uninvited on her sponsor Olivia’s doorstep. Sam is blown away to discover that Olivia is a famous, award-winning podcaster living in a beautiful, lavish home. She can’t believe that someone like Olivia, who has so much success, is an alcoholic. “Anyone can be an alcoholic. It’s a disease.” Olivia replies.
THIS WAS THE MOMENT THAT MADE ME SO HAPPY I COULD SCREAM WHICH IS WHY I’M WRITING THIS IN ALL CAPS!
FINALLY! Finally, we are being introduced to a character in long-term recovery who has their shit together and is still actively helping other women find their way.
Olivia, I have been waiting for you for over a decade. You are my new TV hero. THIS is what has been missing in other shows and movies. This is the kind of TV I want to watch. Show me, women, not just in early recovery, but also what happens after they recover. The stories I crave include “what happens next” and “how you’re able to keep it going.” Because to me, that’s real life. At least, that’s my real-life one day at a time.
Just Doing The Best She Can
Back at home, the mother-daughter bond intensifies when Sam’s mom doesn’t understand why drinking a little wine at night is such a big deal. And she doesn’t understand why it’s a disease and why Sam can’t join her for glass. Adamantly, Carol emphasizes that just because Sam can’t drink doesn’t mean she’s stopping.
It’s going to be a bumpy ride for these two. Sam explains she’s “just doing the best she can,” and Carol retorts back quickly. “Welcome; the rest of us have been doing the best we can the whole time you’ve been drinking, Sam.” Ouch. There are a lot of “ouches” in early recovery. And a lot of feelings. So many feelings.
As this first episode comes to a close, we see Sam on day four getting ready for her first day at her new job, making her bed. A shiver tingled up my spine and down my arm hairs. I am making my bed now too. Every day. Well, almost every day. This is the self-care love story I want to watch because it’s the self-care love story that I’m currently living.
What Happens Next
This will be a 10-episode series that showcases Sam’s first year in sobriety. Episode two is already up, and of course, I’ve already watched it. It’s just as good as the first one. (OLIVIA IS STILL MY HERO) New episodes will start being released Thursdays on Freeform and Fridays on Hulu. We must watch and tell our friends, family, and coworkers to watch. Why? This isn’t just about securing a season two, although I’m already praying that happens. If we want to see more of these storylines in our TV and movie entertainment, we must show the world we’re watching. I can only dream of what kind of an impact a show like this would have had on me in early recovery or even before putting a plug in the jug.
Single Drunk Female Season 2 – April 2023
THE MINDFUL BINGE: It’s ok to indulge in a good TV series binge from time to time, as long as you do so mindfully. This section of the site explores a TV series that features addiction and/or recovery as one of the main storylines.
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
