According to The Hollywood Reporter, FXX show You’re The Worst just “featured the most matter-of-fact TV abortion” yet to hit the screen.
On a lunch outing, character Lindsay tells her best friend Gretchen that she is “eating for two for the last time”; in other words, she is planning to get an “a-bo-bo.” It turns out that the pregnancy she planned in order to manipulate her husband was not quite satisfactory. So, with Gretchen beside her, Lindsay heads to the clinic, only to be confronted by what appears to be a pro-life protestor. When Gretchen seeks to stop the protestor from accosting her friend, the woman (who is supposed to be pro-life) actually reveals her belief that abortion is legitimate in certain instances, including Lindsay’s present one. So, after the interaction, Lindsay moves ahead with the procedure.
According to THR’s Lesley Goldberg, “the build-up to Lindsay's so-called ‘a-bo-bo’ was done as if she were running an errand ("Be out in 40-45 minutes," she tells Gretchen).” Showrunner Stephen Falk confirmed this vibe. “We’re treating it very matter-a-fact,” he said. "It's legal and it's not to say that abortion is something that doesn't have ramifications emotionally for the people involved, but sometimes it doesn't and we're trying to show that side."
To actress Kether Donohue, the abortion storyline revealed Lindsay’s decision to “own her right to choose with everything in her life now.” It’s about empowerment. “It symbolizes the turning point where she's doing something that is genuine and right for her,” the actress explained, “and not to please anybody else. When I read that, it felt very powerful."
Considering that Lindsay artificially inseminated herself, this explanation seemed somewhat lacking. Her irresponsibility and selfishness might be more to blame. But that is classic Hollywood for you.
