‘Living with yourself’ is an eight-episode TV show on Netflix. I remember watching a bit of the first episode and giving up on it quite quickly. I chose it only because of Paul Rudd. I liked him in ‘Friends’ and then as ‘Ant-Man.’ To me, he is an unassuming, likeable hero. Not quite a Chris Hemsworth-Thor but an eye candy all the same.

Anyways, I gave the show another go. Again, because of Paul Rudd. And, I’m glad I did. My husband and I enjoyed it the second time around. Which made me wonder why we didn’t earlier. Could be any number of reasons. It failed to grab our collective attention then. Our respective moods. We were distracted by other things. Who knows?

‘Living with yourself’ is a comedy drama or dramedy about Miles Elliot, who is at a mid-life or seemingly going nowhere stage in his life. He is uninspired with his job in advertising and his marriage to Kate. To save or at least improve the situation, he follows a colleague’s advice to try out a ‘spa’ that purportedly rejuvenates people or gets them out of whatever funk they are mired in.

The treatment works. Miles becomes a new man. He is full of life. Charming and interested in what interests his wife. The new Miles is enthusiastic about his work and career. Creative, brimming with ideas and suggestions for a client pitch. And, well liked by his co-workers. All good until original Miles turns up. Literally, clawing his way out of the ground where he was buried in a diaper, and left for dead. Interesting, yes? Yes. Quirky plot. Twists, turns and curveballs.

Two Miles. One Kate. Marital relationship. Recognisable characters. Career and business manoeuvrings. Questionable ‘spa’ treatment involving clones and bodies. And, an investigation by the FDA Biologics Evaluation & Enforcement.

What I liked about ‘Living with yourself’ was the personalities of the original, before-spa Miles and the new, after-spa Miles. They were both relatable. The original model was weighed down by life, and his varied experiences. He was bored and bruised. Cynical and grumpy. His appearance reflected his negative persona. Droopy shoulders, sloppy clothes, and plastered oily hair. 

Meanwhile, the new model arrived in almost mint condition. A clean slate. No baggage. No worries. Passionate and eager to please. Spring in his step, sparkle in his eyes and well-groomed. With shared memories of life with Kate but for one downside. He had no actual life experiences with Kate.  Why? Because new Miles was a clone. Thrusted to the present in place of original Miles.

As the story progresses, Kate discovers the existence of the two Miles. Naturally, she is horrified. She immediately sets parameters for both. Original Miles, despite being envious of his better version, continues to be his old self – glum, disinterested and forgetful. This nudges Kate to gravitate towards the attentive and considerate new Miles. They go away together for a weekend.  Kate enjoys new Miles’ company. Kate and new Miles are like two people on a date. He is spontaneous and brimming with energy. He exhibits all the traits of a loving, caring, and sensitive partner. He is charming and communicative. Between the two Miles, the new Miles looks like the likely winner.

All good, yes? Hmm. Not quite. Kate is unsure. New Miles is too much of a good thing. Too keen, too observant, too entertaining, and too almost perfect. While it’s new Miles first real life experience with Kate, it’s not for Kate. She has had them before with original Miles.

Also, it seemed somewhat wrong to Kate that new Miles had not, and did not go though past life experiences/happenings with her. He wasn’t present with her during their years of marriage, the pain of a miscarriage and the move to a new home to start afresh. Hmm… What new Miles received from the ‘spa’ treatment were mega doses of an agreeable personality, and optimism for life. With only shared personal/marital memories.

I also liked ‘Living with yourself’ because it made me ruminate long enough to want to write about it. The clone element was unique. I rooted for all three characters – Kate and both the Miles. The underlying theme about personalities and relationships was deftly handled. Couples do drift apart when one or both get immersed or sucked into their own daily personal dramas or issues. They stop speaking, asking questions, and listening to one another. Everything seems like too much work. They grow apart. They stop caring. They seek solace elsewhere. They forget what drew them together in the first place.  And, what they had/have together.

Yes, I got all of that from ‘Living with yourself.’ And, it could have happened, and nearly happened to original Miles and Kate if not for the appearance of cloned new Miles. Hmm.

Worth a watch.