It’s been said that we are living in the Golden Age of television. From complex and deep characters in shows like “Breaking Bad” to the high production values and gorgeous cinematography in series like “Game of Thrones.” Television has grown from simplistic storytelling to works rivaling cinema and novels.

One of the facets of television storytelling that writers and directors have taken advantage of in the last couple of years is the longer format. Rather than watching a two hour a movie, you can watch TV shows that have anywhere between seven and 23 hours in a single season. This extended amount of time allows for the creative forces to dig deep into characters and explore their respective psychologies.

A show that capitalizes on that significant amount of time to explore character development is FX’s “You’re the Worst.” The tragicomedy follows two self-absorbed, self-destructive characters as they try to navigate the world of modern dating. The two leading characters Gretchen (Aya Cash) and Jimmy (Chris Geere) are both introduced to the audience as terrible characters.

While Jimmy’s blunt and insensitive characteristics are shaded through issues of father-son dynamics, Gretchen’s story is much more fascinating and compelling. It’s revealed throughout the series that Gretchen suffers from depression, and the show makes it clear that just because she is dating Jimmy, she doesn’t expect or think that being in a relationship will fix her life.

The third and most recent season of the series followed Gretchen as she battled through her mental illness, trying her hardest to open up to those around her and trained professionals. She is angry, bitter and lashes out every time someone tries to offer support or help, but on a deeper level knows that she needs to work through her issues.

The series also explores the PTSD that Jimmy’s roommate Edgar (Desmin Borges), a veteran of the Iraq War, suffers from. An entire episode of the third season is devoted to a day in the character’s life, revealing just how difficult the disorder is. The episode runs parallel to the one before it, deepening the understanding of just what this character is dealing with.

The way in which the series treats these issues, depression and PTSD is extremely honest but still manages to be respectful. Not only does the series thrive from genius and genuine writing, but the directing and cinematography allow the audience to connect and understand elements of these illnesses.

Five or 10 years ago, these issues would never been explored on television, except in the form of after-school specials or a public service announcement. Neither format allows for viewers to connect and associate with characters suffering from these various forms of mental illness.

Instead, the decision to explore topics such as PTSD and depression in such a harshly honest way, shows just how much television has grown and reveals that people are ready to start having conversations about these serious and difficult topics.