Nobody Wants This ending, explained: Joanne (and Noah) makes an impossible decision

Warning: This post contains spoilers from the Nobody Wants This season finale.

Across the 10-episode first season of Nobody Wants This, Joanne (Kristen Bell) and Noah (Adam Brody) really make viewers work for the will-they-or-won't-they payoff!

In Netflix's romantic comedy series, Bell plays the carefree sex and relationships podcaster Joanne who just can't seem to find a good, healthy relationship of her own. That is, until she meets Brody's handsome and charismatic rabbi Noah. Suddenly, religion gets in the middle of potential real love.

By the end of the first season, Joanne and Noah's relationship becomes under fire from just about everybody: Joanne's family, Noah's family (his mother especially), Noah's career trajectory, etc. Nobody seems to want them to make it, leading to the question: Will Joanne convert?

Here's your final spoiler warning!

Joanne and Noah end up together

Throughout the season, Joanne and Noah's relationship has its ups and downs, but by the end of the first season, the couple ends up together. Fear not! In spite of all the road blocks, speed bumps, stop signs (all the driving metaphors!), Joanne and Noah can't bring themselves to give up on each other, no matter how strongly the world attempts to force them apart.

Dealing with family members and friends who aren't on board with their relationship is one thing, but dealing with an entire organized religion that drives a wedge between them is another. Joanne had been a bit insecure from the start, sort of realizing she's out of her depth. But she fought on amid insecurities about Noah's ex-girlfriend Rebecca, threats from his mother, and stonewalling from his sister-in-law Esther.

Their chemistry and connection was one they had to keep fighting for because they're from two completely different worlds. The fact that Noah broke up with his Jewish girlfriend (who basically stole Noah's engagement ring and proposed to herself — that's not talked about nearly enough, to be honest) to date a "shiksa" causes quite the scandal in his own world.

Being a rabbi, Noah wouldn't be able to spend his life with a woman who isn't Jewish. The topic of discussion for Joanne to evenually convert to Judaism goes well, but the conversation picks up steam when Noah finds himself up for the role of head rabbi from Rabbi Cohen (an ironic choice of surname that's perhaps a nod to Seth Cohen, Brody's character on The O.C.).

...but they almost break up first

Noah will have to be voted on to take over Cohen's position, and since he's dating someone who's not of the same faith, that could potentially keep him from achieving his dream job. Initially, Joanne's up for the challenge to prove to his family that she belongs and won't back down, but realizing how much could be on the line for Noah if she isn't 100% sure about converting gives her pause.

Nearly buckling under the pressure of Noah's new job opportunity and converting to Judaism, Joanne breaks up with (or tries to anyway) Noah. They tell each other "I love you" before Joanne drops the bomb. She isn't ready to convert, not only to a new religion but a new lifestyle. Also, she wants to respect Judaism by converting for the right reason, not just for Noah.

Ever the graceful gentlemen, Noah concedes that they can slow down and figure it out, but Joanne doesn't want him to make a sacrifice. She tells him not to follow her, though does she really mean it? When the bus stops, she searches for him to be the one getting on... It's not. But when she walks up to her car, Noah's right there waiting for her, having run all the way there.

It's the heart-pounding airport scene in all the romantic comedies of yesteryear, when the guy rushes to the gate to stop the girl from getting on the plane. Noah doesn't want to give up on their relationship. She asks how their relationship is going to work, but all he says is, "You were right. I can't have both." The episode ends with them kissing, having chosen each other despite the noise.

Did Noah choose Joanne over his new position as head rabbi, or is he going to try to have both? Will he be willing to face the consequences of being with someone who isn't converting right away? Is Joanne going to change her mind about converting? There are so many questions left up in the air in the season 1 ending, but at least we know Joanne and Noah end up together!

Watch Nobody Wants This only on Netflix.