Can't Cope, Won't Cope (2016–2018) User Reviews

I didn't expect to like this as much as I did

[sophiahwright · 7/10 · 12 December 2019]

It takes a few episodes to take off, but this is a good watch. Such a similar thing happened to me and my old best friend. Quite a comfort to see I'm not the only one! It's realistic too which I love

Gritty little gem

[philipfoxe · 7/10 · 16 August 2017]

Just discovered this on BBC iplayer as I was desperate to find something to watch. I'm a long time out of Ireland so was prepared for some cringeful 'sure and begorrah' sentimental rubbish. Not so. Having watched the first two episodes I am looking forward to the rest. It starts off with two young women setting out in life.One works for an investment brokerage and the other is an art student. They are chronic boozers and don't take life too seriously. Drink leads them to make 'poor choices' and they are flying by the seat of their pants. The scenes in the club where they are drunk off their faces are so credible and they are all for having another drink.Also the inter office gossip and competition is farcical but has an edge to it. That's what makes it so watchable...we can see things will not always be so easy...

Love the Irish Setting!

[Hollywood_15 · 8/10 · 21 July 2019]

If this show wasn't set in Ireland, I doubt I would have watched it. But it IS set there, and as a result, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Their dialects were so great. Genuinely fun to listen to. Seana Kerslake is a delight, even when playing such a trainwreck of a character.

Season 2 has a very different feel, like a sequel with a more comedic tone. The protagonists are separated for much of the season, and comic relief character Lorraine's is significantly expanded upon.

Also, apparently, in Irish Millennial slang, they add the word "like" at the END of 50% of their sentences. I could see where people might find this annoying. Personally, I found it fascinating. And now I find it hilarious.

HARD TO CATEGORIZE BUT WELL DONE

[daftrancenergy · 7/10 · 24 March 2024]

ON THE SURFACE THIS IS A STORY ABOUT TWO YOUNG WOMEN WHO CAN'T GET THEIR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT SOMETIMES. UNDERNEATH THEY ARE BOTH CAPABLE AND COMPETENT BUT CAN'T GROW UP. IT'S A BIT OF A STATEMENT WHETHER TRUE OF ANY PARTICULAR GENERATION OR NOT IS FOR YOU TO DECIDE. IT'S ALSO A FUN CHAOTIC DRUNKEN PARTY SOMETIMES. BOTH AISLING AND DANIELLE ARE INTERESTING CHARACTERS AND THE ACTING IS EXCELLENT. SEANA KERSLAKE REMINDS ME OF A YOUNG SCARLETT JOHANSEN AND POSSIBLY A BETTER ACTRESS. I ACTUALLY WATCHED THIS TWICE OVER THE SPAN OF 3 YEARS AND REALLY ENJOYED IT EVEN MORE THE SECOND TIME BECAUSE I HAD NO EXPECTATIONS ABOUT WHERE IT WAS GOING AND THOROUGHLY ENJOYED IT. SHEILA MOYLETTE WAS CREEPY GOOD. ART CAMPION WAS FUNNY AS ALWAYS AND PLAYED A LITTLE DIFFERENT CHARACTER THAN HIS USUAL. WATCH IT FOR FUN WITH NO EXPECTATIONS AND YOU WILL ENJOY IT.

Lived it now watched it #Dejavoodoo

[yvonne-82141 · 10/10 · 29 July 2018]

Spent the first series having flashbacks to my years at uni and being this drunk while trying to attend t-COLL the next day. I actually stopped drinking after we drank a whole terms worth of home made wine my friend bought back from Taranaki in one weekend. This series is so realistic, and these women are brilliant actors. Writing is tight and the whole scene stealer is Ireland, never been there YET! This is incredibly watchable and also very truthful, still remember having a sit down in a bar with a friend who 4 years after we left uni was still drinking like this and we got her to step away from it because we were all so concerned. Thanks for the memories and great storytelling Ireland!

Unflinching Irish series explores how a friendship dissolves in alcohol

[The_late_Buddy_Ryan · 9/10 · 24 February 2018]

From the Netflix blurb, I was expecting something like an Irish "Broad City," but "Can't Cope"'s not your standard "edgy" sitcom by any means. It's more like a powerful indie film served up in bite-sized morsels, and as I'm sure our heroines would agree, once you've got a couple under your belt, it's hard to stop bingeing (yeah?). At 27, Aisling ("Ashling")'s already a full-fledged "alco," albeit a high-functioning one--she's a good earner at an investment firm, at least at the outset. Danielle has a bit more impulse control, but she's still spinning her wheels at art school. They spend their off hours clubbing, drinking, hooking up (but only "with clean boys with jobs," explains Aisling to a skeptical pharmacist she's hoping will dispense a morning-after pill) and something they call "dogging"--sneaking around a secluded parking spot and pranking distracted lovers.

While Danielle takes a few tentative baby steps towards real maturity, Aisling seems headed for a vodka-fueled flameout. The final episodes explore what happens to an intense but unstable friendship if, in the words of the old Irish drinking song, "it should fall unto my lot/That I should rise while you should not." Seána Kerslake ("the Scarlett Johansson of Ireland"--similar foxy features, voluptuous figure and ferocious acting chops) gives an amazing performance as Aisling; the cliffhanger season closer should give you an appetite for the next one...

Update: Season two takes it down a few notches, so it's not so much of a cautionary tale, less intense but still very entertaining. Aisling's more a slave to her cellphone now--like everyone else--than the demon drink. Danielle's trying for a fresh start at an art school in Vancouver. Trigger warning for our neighbors to the north: The one Canadian character who gets much face time is a caricature of a humorless PC prig. What's up with that?

Realistic-Very Realistic

[matukonyc1 · 9/10 · 8 June 2019]

Watching this made me think of things that I did in my 20s that I hadn't thought of in years. This was a brilliant depiction of living in the big city as a young woman, and the nature of friendships.

So relatable.

[nothinbetter · 10/10 · 23 July 2018]

Just finished season 2 at one go. Although Aisling was annoying till the end, but the show itself was pretty relatable to me who's passing the late 20s crisis. Can't wait for season 3.

Not much here.

[painterjr-72038 · 2/10 · 6 August 2020]

If you'd like to watch a girl drink and be hungover for a few hours, this is the show for you. Little storytelling takes place, and what is there doesn't work to further any sort of plot. If this had been longer I would have stopped watching, but it's only 12 20-minute episodes.

Loved it?!

[maplady224 · 9/10 · 18 January 2021]

This show is oddly comforting. It's definitely a not-so-dramatic caricature of living through our your 20's and 30's in today's era. Perhaps watching it during a particularly chaotic period in my life, made me feel even more connected, but I think most young people could see themselves in this.

This was essentially a mini-series. Similar to some millennial girlfriends shows, but definitely more real. It's great television, fun introduction into some Irish slang, and easy watching after a rough day. Seana Kerslake and the late Nika McGuigan were a delight.

If you enjoyed Dollface, Incredible Jessica James, Someone Great, etc. you might really enjoy this as well.

Really enjoyable but a sad ending

[djames71 · 10/10 · 26 March 2021]

Stumbled across whilst going through Netflix one night. The trials and tribulations of 2 friends in Ireland . Think we can all relate to drunken actions and have things can spiral . Was looking forward to season 3 then read the actress who played Danielle sadly passed away in 2019 aged just 33 .Such a tragedy at such a young age.

One of my comfort shows

[lacruzwriter · 9/10 · 30 November 2022]

I came across this show on Netflix a few years ago. I wasn't looking for anything in particular but after watching the trailer I decided to sit down and watch the series and I was pleasantly surprised. I did not grow up in the UK however their lives were very relatable to me and my friendships growing up. I absolutely love this show and was completely devastated to learn of Nika McGuigan passing. I will always come back to this for a rainy day watch when I'm feeling down. There's something very nostalgic about that show and if you can relate to their situation it's even more rewarding. I recommend everyone watch it at least once.

Loved it!

[adilegaltranslations · 8/10 · 1 March 2020]

Living in North UK reminded me alot of that mindset with alcohol (like?) and the culture. It is a very hearty short series and to me was very realistic.