High Maintenance on HBO follows the exploits of a New York City weed deliveryman, simply known as "The Guy." The show takes viewers on the various adventures of the protagonist and each episode deals with a new set of unique characters, allowing for fresh plot lines to be introduced with each new broadcast. First premiering on HBO in 2016, High Maintenance has become a hit with fans and critics alike.
With three seasons behind it and a fourth currently airing, there are a plethora of episodes to choose from for anyone looking to start the show, or simply get a refresher before jumping into the new season. Each episode has its fans, however, some are better received than others. So to recap, here are the ten best episodes of High Maintenance, according to IMDb.
M.A.S.H (8.2)
The first episode of season three, viewers are reintroduced to The Guy as he spends time away from NYC in an RV. Opening the episode is the death of an older hippie-type, Berg, which allows for the remainder of "M.A.S.H." to explore the aftermath of his unexpected passing.
The Guy is introduced to Cori, a young woman with a surrogate-paternal relationship with Berg, as well as Lee, who acts as a romantic foil to The Guy. The season premiere highlights the bits of empathy and humor that allows High Maintenance to resonate with audiences.
Steve (8.4)
"Steve" is the final episode of season two, and the producers of High Maintenance made sure it left a lasting impression that held audiences over until the following season. The episode revolves around the beginnings and endings of marital life, dealing with the engagement of a newly introduced couple, as well as the finalization of divorce between The Guy and his ex-wife.
The opposing narratives allow for an abundance of quirky interactions, with a final message that reminds the audience to "choose love" when things get tough.
Googie (8.4)
Season two, episode six, "Googie," allows viewers to witness what happens when The Guy decides to take a break from the delivery life. Abdullah, a character previously introduced in the series, temporarily partners with The Guy, allowing him to take time off, and the interactions between the two remind the audience why The Guy is a protagonist worth investing in.
Abdullah seeks to streamline the delivery process, choosing to deliver in a car which allows him to avoid the human interactions that The Guy cherishes, a minute, but elemental distinction between the two deliverymen that subtly showcases why The Guy is the heart of the show.
Cruise (8.4)
Another season finale, "Cruise" ends season three with The Guy reuniting with his high school classmates who are in the city seeking treatment for their child, a cancer patient. The performances allow for High Maintenance to demonstrate the affectionate spirit that can still be found in The Big Apple.
Additionally, a plot in this episode deals with Leonard, a jaded drama teacher who drunkenly wanders the streets of NYC during a class visit and basks in the infectious energy that permeates the night.
Derech (8.5)
The fourth episode of season two, "Derech," combines the NY nightlife scene with the world of the Orthodox Jewish community, and bears fruitful results. Baruch is a member of the Orthodox sect of the religion and he is persuaded to defect, at least for a night, by undercover journalist Anja, who was introduced in a previous episode.
Viewers are taken on a journey through a night out in New York as Baruch crosses paths with The Guy, a new romantic interest, and a hairless club performer who goes on to save his life later that evening. In summary, it's a typical night out in the city that never sleeps.
Scromple (8.5)
The Guy finds himself in the hospital in this season two episode after crashing his bike while avoiding a runaway therapist. Opening with moments of levity relaxes the audience before blossoming into one of the series more personal, exploring the intimacies of the The Guys personal life.
As it turns out, the word "Scromple" has a deeper meaning than viewers may initially assume, and it ends up being the key to unlocking previously unknown details about The Guy.
Trick (8.6)
The second episode of the latest season, "Trick" introduces audiences to Matthew, as he prepares for the arrival of a male escort. Viewers follow Matthew and his date, Travis, through a night out that, in the end, leaves both men disappointed. This sets up the second half of the episode, where viewers follow another couple, Kym, and Evan.
Kym, an intimacy coordinator, must navigate her romantic feelings for Evan once he reveals to her that he is asexual. "Trick" is another example of High Maintenance demonstrating the unique intricacies in relationships, where partners are able to define what works for them, "normal" or not.
Globo (8.6)
The premiere of season two undertakes the task of showing the affects of widespread grief and the various ways individuals cope. "Globo" opens with The Guy waking up, checking his phone, and seeing that an unnamed tragedy has befell the nation.
The rest of the episode tracks characters as they deal with the aftermath in their unique ways, never resting on misery for too long but still showcasing a day of community-wide mourning. A subplot that brings levity to the episode involves three individuals who have spent all night and day in a hotel room ignoring the world, and the bliss that ignorance brings, if only temporarily.
Cycles (9.0)
Season four premieres with "Cycles," an episode that demonstrates the warmth of New York City, which High Maintenance consistently excels at. The episode has The Guy find companionship with a one-eyed canine, and the adventure he goes on to reunite the dog with their owner is a series highlight.
Audiences also meet Yara, a workaholic who records a fight she has with her boyfriend to use for career gain, as well as Arnold, a singing telegram employee. Through a myriad of antics these two are able to provide moments of heart and humor that are High Maintenance staples, demonstrating that four seasons in, the show can still enchant audiences.
Grandpa (9.0)
"Grandpa" is a High Maintenance highlight. It is objectively the most creative episode of the show, with its uniqueness turning it into a television tour de force. Kicking off the third season, "Grandpa" is shot from the point of view of a neighborhood dog named Gatsby, and audiences join him on all the adventures that come along with being a canine in New York.
Viewers watch as Gatsby experiences moments of joy, heartbreak, even romance, before finding his forever home with a kind "grandpa," leaving this episode as a must-see.