by Alice-Ginevra Micheli, Contributing Writer

When Physical first released, I feel like it was presented as being more quirky and fun, and about nostalgia, than anything else. Instead, what was delivered was a serious exploration of identity and mental health, and an attempt to dissect the upper middle-class human condition of ‘80s California. 

However, “rude” awakening was presented two seasons ago, and now we have found ourselves at the end of the road, having to decide: Did we enjoy this ride?

The newest, and final, season of Physical sees Sheila (Rose Byrne), and Greta (Dierdre Friel) take Body by Sheila to the next stage of fame and notoriety, possibly unravelling the tentative hold that Sheila has managed to grasp over her fledgling mental health. 

While the tone for this show has always shifted between black comedy and hard-hitting drama, it has always managed to toe the line quite elegantly, allowing our main characters to have dimension, no matter their evident faults or strange behavior, emulating the colorful backdrop that ‘80s aerobics provides. This was especially evident in Season Two, where Sheila’s mental health struggles come to head, and she is forced to finally face them head on, instead of just ignoring the constant screams in her skull. 

It is confronting, but ultimately done so in a way which showcases the importance of the moment, and results in a feeling of rebirth and resurgence for our protagonist. This season was meant to capitalize on all of this, and more, bring the story to the assumed, exciting final conclusion that we were teased with in the very first episode. 

Before getting into it any more, let’s talk about the cast. Byrne is a great actress, this we know. It isn’t any different this time around, where we see her character fully engage in her chaotic tendencies. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention our guest star of the season: Zooey Deschanel, playing the coquettish and dangerous Southern femme fatale Kelly Kilmartin. Sheila’s perceived rival, and new devil on the shoulder, Deschanel shines, absorbing all the energy in the room the moment she steps into it. So much so, I hate to say it, but she more often than not steals the scene from our leading lady, if only because she is very much emitting “shiny new toy” energy in a grossly entertaining way.

However, this is ultimately where the issue lies. The reason Deschanel stands out is because it feels like our core group has been lost in the background of Physical’s ultimate goal. This was meant to be a season of ramping up, of taking us to that next and final level, and finally seeing how Sheila makes it. 

Instead, the season presents a lot of aforementioned chaos that leaves the viewer feeling confused and bored more than anything else. This is especially evident given the amount of focus given to Sheila’s climate-change-fighting ex-husband Danny (Rory Scovel) and Mormon ex-lover John Breem (Paul Sparks). Although both actors do a great job in their respective roles, it simply makes the show seem distracted. 

There is a strong story there, with Sheila’s mental health struggles, and career triumph, yet we spend so much time on further developing characters who, frankly, we have seen almost too much of in previous seasons. This was meant to be Sheila’s season, and instead, her scenes feel like an afterthought most of the time. 

All of this ultimately results in a rushed, and overall weak, ending that left a more bitter than sweet taste in my mouth. 

This is only more emphasized with how little the struggle of battling a mental illness like Sheila’s is given time. It’s ignored, and not in the way of ramping up for an untimely breakdown that results in inner growth and the path to redemption. We had that last season, after all. Instead, it’s a repeat of what we’ve already seen materializing in an almost distasteful conclusion for the whole matter. 

So after three long seasons, does Physical do the story of Sheila D. Rubin, Aerobic Queen, justice? Unfortunately, what we were delivered is a passable yet forgettable series of events across 10 episodes that feel tacked on more than thoughtfully planned out. This could have been a season of inner strength, growth, and insight into the limits of a specific kind of humanity — against a colorful and energetic setting.

That was not delivered. 

If this was going to be the way to go, we should have had another season so that we could refocus on Sheila for the final season, and really earn our ending. Instead, the boom box is off, the leg warmers are discarded in the corner, and I’ve been left lacking in sweat with my body not talking — in fact, it’s silent as the grave.

Rating: Didn’t Like It

Physical is currently streaming on Apple TV+


You can read more from Alice-Ginevra Micheli, and follow her on Instagram and Letterboxd