Warning: This review of episodes 1-3 of Margo’s Got Money Troubles will contain spoilers.

The sad reality of Margo’s Got Money Troubles lies in the fact that, despite some of the outlandishly comedic details, there are hundreds, if not thousands of similar stories from real women across America facing the same predicaments. Perhaps that’s why Rufi Thorpe’s bestselling novel of the same name was so quickly snatched up to be adapted into the star-studded AppleTV+ series. Thorpe’s novel presents an ordinary American family, and an ordinary heroine, whose circumstances, resulting from an unplanned pregnancy, force her to uncomfortable extremes. Regardless of the show’s familiarity or relatability, TV superproducer David E. Kelley provides a showcase for Elle Fanning in perhaps her best performance yet.

Before proceeding any further, I should clarify that I haven’t read Margo’s Got Money Trouble, so anything that happens within season 1, and within the season premiere, will be unburdened by pre-existing expectations. This will come in handy because it seems, based on the first three episodes, it seems like the show is fairly plot heavy, but it’s especially a character study of a woman whose life has spiraled beyond control. That woman is Margo Millet, played by Elle Fanning with a fierce vulnerability, as a talented young writer who gets involved with her encouraging (married) English professor Mark (Michael Angarano).

Though the first three episodes are meant to be watched back-to-back-to-back a la the Netflix formula, they’re structured in a traditional TV format, each with a beginning, middle, and end to the story. Episode 1, “The Hungry Ghost”, introduces us to Margo, her lower-middle class background in Fullerton, CA, and her dysfunctional but tightly knit relationship with her mother Shyanne (Michelle Pfeiffer). It’s not long after Margo’s freshman lit class when she begins an affair with Mark after he heaps the vaguest of praise on her, and soon after learns that she’s pregnant.

The chemistry between Pfeiffer and Fanning proves to be an early highlight throughout Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1, with each new scene adding more depth to their characters and their relationships. Pfeiffer takes what could easily be a shallow, irredeemable character and makes her increasingly nuanced and complicated. Sure, she has no greater ambitions beyond her Bloomingdale’s job, she proudly flaunts her Hooters past and breast implants, and she may or may not be dating Kenny (Greg Kinnear), a milquetoast pastor, as a kind of course correction for her wild past. But she loves Margo and isn’t afraid to speak her mind on how her unplanned pregnancy can easily derail her life.

Episode 2 of Margo’s Got Money Troubles will surely trigger any single parents’ PTSD, as the birth of Margo’s son, Bodhi, wreaks havoc on her life and those of her roommates. My biggest worry about the show is in its navel-gazing approach to depicting the lower class. Throughout the first 3 episodes of the season 1 premiere it doesn’t feel especially cruel, or as if Margo or Shyanne are solely responsible for their economic lot, but the characters could easily slip into broad caricatures. Thankfully Kelly has assembled a thoughtful writer’s room, and nothing throughout the show so far has felt out of place.

This includes the reappearance of Margo’s father Jinx (Nick Offerman), a former wrestler who was never much of a presence in her life growing up. Withholding Offerman for most of the first 2 episodes feels borderline heinous, especially when he’s just as lovable as ever, but I’m intrigued to see how Jinx factors into the rest of Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1. We don’t know exactly what led him to the rehab which we see him leaving, so I’m sure it’ll factor into future episodes.

I’d probably raise a bigger fuss about how slowly the show seems to be taking its story pacing, as we only see at the very end of episode 3 that Margo has decided to sign up for OnlyFans as a last-gasp attempt to make some income. But Margo’s Got Money Troubles season 1 episodes are only around 35-40 minutes long, so it never feels as if the show is stretching the plot in order to fill the requisite 8 episodes.

Although I don’t know yet why we keep checking in with Margo’s New York-based best friend Becca (Sasha Diamond), or how much her wrestling-obsessed roommate Susie (Thaddea Graham). We also need to introduce Nicole Kidman – also credited as an executive producer – and Marcia Gay Harden’s casting clearly hints at a bigger role than her one scene appearance as Mark’s bulldog attorney. I remain skeptical any time a show with a seemingly limited premise based on a single novel can extend its plot beyond one season but, based on the solid season 1 premiere, Margo’s Got Money Troubles has earned the benefit of the doubt.