Girls: Season 6, Episode 10 “Latching”
I’m not sure what I expected here, what could possibly serve to close out a very distinct and unique series on television in a way that appropriately summed up the six seasons we’ve experienced. I wouldn’t have voted to include only two of the four “girls” and just one other character, but I guess Hannah moving out of the city and leaving New York behind meant leaving everything behind. Everything, that is, except for Marnie and her mother. Now, I’m not a parent, so I can’t claim to know what people have experienced, but I do think that there were some parts of this episode that were equally predictable and hard to take seriously. Hannah has never been mature, and she was ready to completely throw in the towel when Marnie, someone who has plenty of issues but loves rules and reading things closely and therefore might make a very good mother, was clearly better at parenting than she was. Somehow, a walk down the street where a teenage girl showed her just how insignificant her problems were was able to turn everything around for her, and we’re left with the closing image of Hannah finally smiling because she got Grover to latch. I’m not sure that one small albeit significant victory is the best way for this show to close itself out, and this episode contained only one really funny moment, which was Loreen walking in on Marnie having role play phone sex, which she then briefly tried to deny having. This show had its moments, and I look forward to reflecting back on some of its more positive and satisfying times than this occasionally decent but relatively unfulfilling final season.
Series finale: B-
Series grade: B+
Season MVP: Andrew Rannells as Elijah
Season grade: B
Series MVP: Allison Williams as Marnie
Best Season: Season 1 and 6
Best Episode: “She Did”
Showing posts with label Girls. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Girls. Show all posts
Sunday, April 23, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls (Penultimate Episode)
Girls: Season 6, Episode 9 “Goodbye Tour” (B)
I’m not really sure what to make of this second-to-last episode. There was something very nostalgic about it, particularly in its closing moments where Hannah appeared to be singing, which was strange, and packing up her life at the same time as she was digesting what was around her at the party. While Hannah and Elijah cracked up at the idea of having made great friendships in New York City, I think that the character of the city, an idea explored in shows like “Sex and the City” before this, has been extremely influential in everything that this show is. I’d actually argue that the absence of the city has produced some of the better episodes of this show, one of which was set in another city halfway across the globe. What felt weird to me was that we’ve barely seen Shoshanna all season, relegated to matchmaking for Ray and seeing his relationship from the outside, and it feels like the audience was just as in the dark about her new engagement as Hannah was. Ray not being there was odd, and the fact that Marnie and Elijah would both go without telling Hannah didn’t really track, especially since Elijah literally spent the entire day with her. Marnie’s attempted friend meeting was entertaining, and it’s nice that Jessa and Hannah decided to make up. Where Hannah is going is only a theoretical bus ride away, and I’m pretty sure that she’s really going to like it there. Caroline attributing the city as the cause of much of her hysteria is likely telling, and I think Hannah is headed for some measure of happiness.
I’m not really sure what to make of this second-to-last episode. There was something very nostalgic about it, particularly in its closing moments where Hannah appeared to be singing, which was strange, and packing up her life at the same time as she was digesting what was around her at the party. While Hannah and Elijah cracked up at the idea of having made great friendships in New York City, I think that the character of the city, an idea explored in shows like “Sex and the City” before this, has been extremely influential in everything that this show is. I’d actually argue that the absence of the city has produced some of the better episodes of this show, one of which was set in another city halfway across the globe. What felt weird to me was that we’ve barely seen Shoshanna all season, relegated to matchmaking for Ray and seeing his relationship from the outside, and it feels like the audience was just as in the dark about her new engagement as Hannah was. Ray not being there was odd, and the fact that Marnie and Elijah would both go without telling Hannah didn’t really track, especially since Elijah literally spent the entire day with her. Marnie’s attempted friend meeting was entertaining, and it’s nice that Jessa and Hannah decided to make up. Where Hannah is going is only a theoretical bus ride away, and I’m pretty sure that she’s really going to like it there. Caroline attributing the city as the cause of much of her hysteria is likely telling, and I think Hannah is headed for some measure of happiness.
Monday, April 10, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 8 “What Will We Do This Time About Adam?” (B+)
This was an extremely nostalgic episode, one that represented how far some of these characters have come and how easy it is for them to fall back into the same old patterns. We’ve been doing that all season with Marnie, who couldn’t break up with Desi and now realizes that she hasn’t gone anywhere with her life. Hannah not having air conditioning in her apartment was a simple problem that represents extensive exhaustion on her part, and therefore running into Adam while she was out buying popsicles was just the kind of cosmic sign that she needed that maybe things might not be so hard after all. Adam dove fully into the idea that they could be together and that he wanted to raise Hannah’s baby, assembling all the furniture himself and even casually proposing marriage to her. Laird’s similar offer was so genuine and borne out of passion but just made Hannah shake her head, whereas she fell head over heels for the idea that Adam was really the right thing for her. That idea blew up in an instant almost as quickly as it was first introduced. Maybe Adam and Jessa will work out after all, since Jessa’s feigned lack of emotion was obviously a front and she was destroyed by his apparent departure. And Shoshanna managed to extract herself from any possible future with Ray by introducing him to her friend Abigail, who she hilariously described as a lot, and it turns out they’re a perfect fit, exploring the historic nostalgia of Brooklyn together. My favorite line of the episode was Hannah’s objection to food coops because she finds the whole shift thing demeaning.
This was an extremely nostalgic episode, one that represented how far some of these characters have come and how easy it is for them to fall back into the same old patterns. We’ve been doing that all season with Marnie, who couldn’t break up with Desi and now realizes that she hasn’t gone anywhere with her life. Hannah not having air conditioning in her apartment was a simple problem that represents extensive exhaustion on her part, and therefore running into Adam while she was out buying popsicles was just the kind of cosmic sign that she needed that maybe things might not be so hard after all. Adam dove fully into the idea that they could be together and that he wanted to raise Hannah’s baby, assembling all the furniture himself and even casually proposing marriage to her. Laird’s similar offer was so genuine and borne out of passion but just made Hannah shake her head, whereas she fell head over heels for the idea that Adam was really the right thing for her. That idea blew up in an instant almost as quickly as it was first introduced. Maybe Adam and Jessa will work out after all, since Jessa’s feigned lack of emotion was obviously a front and she was destroyed by his apparent departure. And Shoshanna managed to extract herself from any possible future with Ray by introducing him to her friend Abigail, who she hilariously described as a lot, and it turns out they’re a perfect fit, exploring the historic nostalgia of Brooklyn together. My favorite line of the episode was Hannah’s objection to food coops because she finds the whole shift thing demeaning.
Sunday, April 2, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 7 “The Bounce” (B+)
There’s no arguing that this was an involving and entertaining episode, but I do question whether Elijah, who’s always been a fringe character more than anything, is getting such a spotlight so close to the end of the series. Andrew Rannells is pretty terrific in the role, and it was fun to see him get so into his audition, belting out an intense rendition of “Let Me Be Your Star,” the only half-decent part of the terrible TV series “Smash” from a few years ago and then doing a truly terrible job with all the basketball stuff, with plenty of encouragement from his new friend, ultimately receiving a callback even though he couldn’t do any of the sports material. I didn’t expect to see Corey Stoll’s Dill again, but it was very funny to learn that he was being hounded by the media for trying to buy a white baby. Telling Hannah that he has fourteen Emmys and that he knew when someone was keeping a secret, but he wasn’t going to try to buy her baby was great, and I loved watching the two of them interact, initially uncomfortable and hostile and then fairly sympathetic and compatible. Hannah’s call with Paul-Louis was lackluster, with him responding in a kindhearted but totally apathetic and unhelpful way, officially canceling any involvement on his part. Marnie got a great reality check from the pawn shop owner who rolled his eyes and called her out on being the liar and not taking charge on her life.
There’s no arguing that this was an involving and entertaining episode, but I do question whether Elijah, who’s always been a fringe character more than anything, is getting such a spotlight so close to the end of the series. Andrew Rannells is pretty terrific in the role, and it was fun to see him get so into his audition, belting out an intense rendition of “Let Me Be Your Star,” the only half-decent part of the terrible TV series “Smash” from a few years ago and then doing a truly terrible job with all the basketball stuff, with plenty of encouragement from his new friend, ultimately receiving a callback even though he couldn’t do any of the sports material. I didn’t expect to see Corey Stoll’s Dill again, but it was very funny to learn that he was being hounded by the media for trying to buy a white baby. Telling Hannah that he has fourteen Emmys and that he knew when someone was keeping a secret, but he wasn’t going to try to buy her baby was great, and I loved watching the two of them interact, initially uncomfortable and hostile and then fairly sympathetic and compatible. Hannah’s call with Paul-Louis was lackluster, with him responding in a kindhearted but totally apathetic and unhelpful way, officially canceling any involvement on his part. Marnie got a great reality check from the pawn shop owner who rolled his eyes and called her out on being the liar and not taking charge on her life.
Friday, March 24, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 6 “Full Disclosure” (B+)
This episode was a return to more of the conversations that have helped to define this show throughout its run, and the content of this half-hour constituted what this show should be covering right now. Hannah isn’t being too subtle about her pregnancy, telling the world in a blunt way and almost always receiving laughter as a response since no one can believe that she would actually be seeing considering having a baby. I enjoyed the fact that even the likes of Keith, her father’s boyfriend, decided to weigh in on whether she should tell the father, something she apparently considered at the end of the episode even if it didn’t lead to much since the operator couldn’t connect her to Jean-Louis. Jessa coming by to tell her that she was hurt was interesting, and her choice of the word “dear” to describe her friendship with Hannah was telling, since it didn’t indicate any sort of real or true closeness but rather an enduring presence devoid of substance or strength. Adam was obsessed, predictably since it’s his nature, with Hannah watching the movie to tell him if it was real, and the lingering shot of him calling her back to the bed at the end of the episode suggests that he may well be where she’s headed in the end. Desi showing up high was a predictable development, and the more telling thing is that, as articulated by her mom, Marnie still can’t tell when she’s around someone who’s not in his right mind and clearly under the influence of drugs. I’m not sure that we needed to see Marnie’s mom as her partner slash fake sister, since this seemed like a ripe opportunity to focus in on Marnie’s revitalized career as a solo artist.
This episode was a return to more of the conversations that have helped to define this show throughout its run, and the content of this half-hour constituted what this show should be covering right now. Hannah isn’t being too subtle about her pregnancy, telling the world in a blunt way and almost always receiving laughter as a response since no one can believe that she would actually be seeing considering having a baby. I enjoyed the fact that even the likes of Keith, her father’s boyfriend, decided to weigh in on whether she should tell the father, something she apparently considered at the end of the episode even if it didn’t lead to much since the operator couldn’t connect her to Jean-Louis. Jessa coming by to tell her that she was hurt was interesting, and her choice of the word “dear” to describe her friendship with Hannah was telling, since it didn’t indicate any sort of real or true closeness but rather an enduring presence devoid of substance or strength. Adam was obsessed, predictably since it’s his nature, with Hannah watching the movie to tell him if it was real, and the lingering shot of him calling her back to the bed at the end of the episode suggests that he may well be where she’s headed in the end. Desi showing up high was a predictable development, and the more telling thing is that, as articulated by her mom, Marnie still can’t tell when she’s around someone who’s not in his right mind and clearly under the influence of drugs. I’m not sure that we needed to see Marnie’s mom as her partner slash fake sister, since this seemed like a ripe opportunity to focus in on Marnie’s revitalized career as a solo artist.
Sunday, March 19, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 5 “Gummies” (B)
There’s a lot to this show, and for me it’s about friendships and relationships and the notion of someone just deciding to have a baby when she gets pregnant without thinking much about what it actually means. Its title has a more direct reference to the drug usage that takes place in this hour, not played up to much effect but still serving to direct its plot as Hannah spent the better part of the half-hour searching for her gummy-eating mother with Elijah’s help after breaking the news to her about being an expectant mother. Becky Ann Baker is undeniably excellent, and I hope that she earns an Emmy nomination to go along with her onscreen ex-husband, Peter Scolari, who won last year. It feels both insightful and inappropriate to be re-watching some of the show’s most iconic scenes as reinterpreted by Adam, who is having the time of his life filming his story. Jessa, on the other hand, doesn’t want to put nearly as much weight into it, partially because she sees Hannah as a supporting rather than driving player in Adam’s life, which clearly he doesn’t. Ray breaking up with Marnie was an inevitability that should have happened long ago, and good for him for standing up for himself when Marnie had to make up an excuse to avoid being with him for just a few minutes during an admittedly boring and indulgent activity that has Ray getting very nostalgic about what it means to be alive. Hannah meeting the actress playing her, who apparently has a few kids and loves being pregnant, was a poignant end to the episode that served as a far better way for her to find out about this movie than I would ever have expected.
There’s a lot to this show, and for me it’s about friendships and relationships and the notion of someone just deciding to have a baby when she gets pregnant without thinking much about what it actually means. Its title has a more direct reference to the drug usage that takes place in this hour, not played up to much effect but still serving to direct its plot as Hannah spent the better part of the half-hour searching for her gummy-eating mother with Elijah’s help after breaking the news to her about being an expectant mother. Becky Ann Baker is undeniably excellent, and I hope that she earns an Emmy nomination to go along with her onscreen ex-husband, Peter Scolari, who won last year. It feels both insightful and inappropriate to be re-watching some of the show’s most iconic scenes as reinterpreted by Adam, who is having the time of his life filming his story. Jessa, on the other hand, doesn’t want to put nearly as much weight into it, partially because she sees Hannah as a supporting rather than driving player in Adam’s life, which clearly he doesn’t. Ray breaking up with Marnie was an inevitability that should have happened long ago, and good for him for standing up for himself when Marnie had to make up an excuse to avoid being with him for just a few minutes during an admittedly boring and indulgent activity that has Ray getting very nostalgic about what it means to be alive. Hannah meeting the actress playing her, who apparently has a few kids and loves being pregnant, was a poignant end to the episode that served as a far better way for her to find out about this movie than I would ever have expected.
Monday, March 13, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 4 “Painful Evacuation” (B)
I was feeling very good about the start of this season, and then when this episode opened, it seemed like it was all going to be about Hannah interviewing a different person every week about their perspectives on life. Fortunately, that was just the introduction and not the meat of this episode, and instead we got back to simpler things like Hannah having a UTI. Of course, that’s not all she has, and her surprise encounter with Patrick Wilson’s doctor, who I can admit that I didn’t remember at all from his season two guest spot, but flashes of it are coming back now, gave her some very unexpected news which throws her entire future into question. I really don’t see Hannah as a mother, but I think that something about her encounter with Paul-Louis and the fact that it technically constituted her healthiest relationship, may inspire her to keep the baby. She’s certainly trying to decide what she wants more than Marnie, who spewed poetry in the middle of very unpassionate sex with Ray and then got blamed by a spiraling Desi for his entire addiction, and Jessa, who thinks it’s a good idea to encourage Adam to make his own movie after he quit what looked like a truly awful role. Ray’s having a rough time of it, realizing that his relationship with Marnie is completely vain and dominated by conversations about whether or not to take an Uber, while the things that really matter, like his friend Hermie’s death, come at him from out of nowhere to deal a crippling blow and reality check.
I was feeling very good about the start of this season, and then when this episode opened, it seemed like it was all going to be about Hannah interviewing a different person every week about their perspectives on life. Fortunately, that was just the introduction and not the meat of this episode, and instead we got back to simpler things like Hannah having a UTI. Of course, that’s not all she has, and her surprise encounter with Patrick Wilson’s doctor, who I can admit that I didn’t remember at all from his season two guest spot, but flashes of it are coming back now, gave her some very unexpected news which throws her entire future into question. I really don’t see Hannah as a mother, but I think that something about her encounter with Paul-Louis and the fact that it technically constituted her healthiest relationship, may inspire her to keep the baby. She’s certainly trying to decide what she wants more than Marnie, who spewed poetry in the middle of very unpassionate sex with Ray and then got blamed by a spiraling Desi for his entire addiction, and Jessa, who thinks it’s a good idea to encourage Adam to make his own movie after he quit what looked like a truly awful role. Ray’s having a rough time of it, realizing that his relationship with Marnie is completely vain and dominated by conversations about whether or not to take an Uber, while the things that really matter, like his friend Hermie’s death, come at him from out of nowhere to deal a crippling blow and reality check.
Tuesday, March 7, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 3 “American Bitch” (B)
We’re in the home stretch with this series, which has just seven more episodes to go before it signs off for good. This show has undeniably fascinating characters, and they’ve been through a lot over the past five seasons. This show has had episodes before that focused on just one character, and while I see how it can be effective, it also feels like we’re missing a lot of important ground that could be covered with the other players. Throughout this entire show, Hannah has been aspiring towards success, and now she’s finally achieved it, to a degree. Getting to sit down with an author that she liked professionally and take a stand for women everywhere was an interesting representation of how this show has always sort of served as social commentary. I’m not sure I would have chosen Matthew Rhys of “The Americans” fame to portray Chuck Palmer, the author facing career ruin thanks to disparaging articles about his alleged sexual assault of women on his book tour, but he does have a certain smarmy quality to him that worked for the role. After Hannah made an argument for all of womankind and Chuck compared himself to the witches in Salem, it turned out that he did try something with Hannah, and she went for it! I don’t know exactly what to make of it, and I think this is all we’re going to see of this plotline, which doesn’t suggest that this whole episode, which ended with his daughter giving a concert on the spot, was worth diverging from normal events.
We’re in the home stretch with this series, which has just seven more episodes to go before it signs off for good. This show has undeniably fascinating characters, and they’ve been through a lot over the past five seasons. This show has had episodes before that focused on just one character, and while I see how it can be effective, it also feels like we’re missing a lot of important ground that could be covered with the other players. Throughout this entire show, Hannah has been aspiring towards success, and now she’s finally achieved it, to a degree. Getting to sit down with an author that she liked professionally and take a stand for women everywhere was an interesting representation of how this show has always sort of served as social commentary. I’m not sure I would have chosen Matthew Rhys of “The Americans” fame to portray Chuck Palmer, the author facing career ruin thanks to disparaging articles about his alleged sexual assault of women on his book tour, but he does have a certain smarmy quality to him that worked for the role. After Hannah made an argument for all of womankind and Chuck compared himself to the witches in Salem, it turned out that he did try something with Hannah, and she went for it! I don’t know exactly what to make of it, and I think this is all we’re going to see of this plotline, which doesn’t suggest that this whole episode, which ended with his daughter giving a concert on the spot, was worth diverging from normal events.
Sunday, February 26, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 6, Episode 2 “Hostage Situation” (B+)
I had expected that we were going to spend at least a few episodes with Hannah undercover at the surf club with her new semi-boyfriend Paul-Louis, a trip away for New York City comparable to the show’s several episodes that had her in Iowa in season four. Instead, she’s back right away and at the service of her best friend, Marnie in her latest instance of cyclical self-destruction. The two of them really have had a rocky road, and since that first great season two episode “Bad Friend,” it’s clear that both of them have made mistakes and done things that they wish they could take back. It took so little time for Marnie to go from being on a romantic secret getaway weekend with Desi (and Hannah in tow) to realizing that the man that she was still carrying on with was actually addicted – quite severely – to oxycodone and ready to go ballistic the second she suggested withholding it from him. Hannah came through for her in a big way, and she also had the chance to meet a true enigma in the form of Joy Bryant’s relaxed third-rail hippie Marlowe. The enduring strength of Hannah and Marnie’s friendship stands in stark contrast to that of Shoshanna and Jessa, since the newly blonde chatterbox finally stood up to her carefree British cousin and told her that she was tired of her ruining everything. The fact that Shoshanna’s friends were maddest at her for making them split a hotel room two ways instead of three was predictably petty, but it’s true that she hasn’t gone too far since that point. While Elijah was busy entertaining himself at the WEMUN event, he did show that he was a better friend to Shoshanna despite his inherent selfishness.
I had expected that we were going to spend at least a few episodes with Hannah undercover at the surf club with her new semi-boyfriend Paul-Louis, a trip away for New York City comparable to the show’s several episodes that had her in Iowa in season four. Instead, she’s back right away and at the service of her best friend, Marnie in her latest instance of cyclical self-destruction. The two of them really have had a rocky road, and since that first great season two episode “Bad Friend,” it’s clear that both of them have made mistakes and done things that they wish they could take back. It took so little time for Marnie to go from being on a romantic secret getaway weekend with Desi (and Hannah in tow) to realizing that the man that she was still carrying on with was actually addicted – quite severely – to oxycodone and ready to go ballistic the second she suggested withholding it from him. Hannah came through for her in a big way, and she also had the chance to meet a true enigma in the form of Joy Bryant’s relaxed third-rail hippie Marlowe. The enduring strength of Hannah and Marnie’s friendship stands in stark contrast to that of Shoshanna and Jessa, since the newly blonde chatterbox finally stood up to her carefree British cousin and told her that she was tired of her ruining everything. The fact that Shoshanna’s friends were maddest at her for making them split a hotel room two ways instead of three was predictably petty, but it’s true that she hasn’t gone too far since that point. While Elijah was busy entertaining himself at the WEMUN event, he did show that he was a better friend to Shoshanna despite his inherent selfishness.
Thursday, February 16, 2017
What I’m Watching: Girls (Season Premiere)
Girls: Season 6, Episode 1 “All I Ever Wanted” (B+)
This show has had its ups and downs over the course of its past five seasons, and as it starts its final year, I think it’s achieved a really great sense of itself. Who would have thought that Adam and Jessa getting together would propel Hannah to a level of success she’s never before achieved, getting an article published and then earning herself a follow-up assignment for which she seems woefully ill-equipped. It’s not that her lack of energy to try to surf and her exaggerated awkwardness putting on a wetsuit make her stand out from the other rich housewives taking the class, but rather that her judgment isn’t always (or ever) the best, and sleeping with her instructor after she finds out that he’s in an open relationship. She’s going to compromise her story, and I think that her assignment suggests that she’s not supposed to be a part of it in that way. I’m thrilled with the casting of Riz Ahmed, who has delivered excellent performances in “Four Lions” and “Nightcrawler” and achieved more fame recently with “Rogue One” and “The Night Of,” as the very genuine and casual surfer-rapper Paul-Louis. We didn’t see much of Shosh, but she seems to be doing okay. Marnie, on the other hand, doesn’t want Ray to move in because she’s still in the middle of her divorce, and given that she’s doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over, like sleeping with Desi, indicate that she’s not ready for another real relationship. Jessa and Adam, on the other hand, are having a blast together, not wearing many clothes and living quite freely, entirely unconcerned that their roommate Ray might be back for good. I’m eager to see how the rest of this season plays out.
This show has had its ups and downs over the course of its past five seasons, and as it starts its final year, I think it’s achieved a really great sense of itself. Who would have thought that Adam and Jessa getting together would propel Hannah to a level of success she’s never before achieved, getting an article published and then earning herself a follow-up assignment for which she seems woefully ill-equipped. It’s not that her lack of energy to try to surf and her exaggerated awkwardness putting on a wetsuit make her stand out from the other rich housewives taking the class, but rather that her judgment isn’t always (or ever) the best, and sleeping with her instructor after she finds out that he’s in an open relationship. She’s going to compromise her story, and I think that her assignment suggests that she’s not supposed to be a part of it in that way. I’m thrilled with the casting of Riz Ahmed, who has delivered excellent performances in “Four Lions” and “Nightcrawler” and achieved more fame recently with “Rogue One” and “The Night Of,” as the very genuine and casual surfer-rapper Paul-Louis. We didn’t see much of Shosh, but she seems to be doing okay. Marnie, on the other hand, doesn’t want Ray to move in because she’s still in the middle of her divorce, and given that she’s doomed to repeat the same mistakes over and over, like sleeping with Desi, indicate that she’s not ready for another real relationship. Jessa and Adam, on the other hand, are having a blast together, not wearing many clothes and living quite freely, entirely unconcerned that their roommate Ray might be back for good. I’m eager to see how the rest of this season plays out.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls (Season Finale)
Girls: Season 5, Episodes 9 and 10 “Love Stories” and “I Love You Baby” (B+)
I feel like this season totally flew by, and maybe that’s because it has aired entirely during the time that I’ve been racing to catch up on TV post-honeymoon. In my mind, this has definitely been the best season of this show since the first, and though it didn’t necessarily get its characters to a great place, it has presented some pretty terrific comedy and drama these past ten episodes. Some things are firmly set in the past, like Fran, who at the beginning of these first two installments got to spew a bit more hate at Hannah as he she closed their relationship up for good. Hannah, somehow, has come through everything a happier and more confident person, quitting her job and telling an earnest story about sex and jealously that landed well. Ending the episode with the title song and Hannah running with a grin on her face was a great way to end the season. I like that we got to meet Jenny Slate’s Tally, and I hope we see her again in season six. Marnie having a sex dream about Ray was strange but a strong impetus for the two of them to finally get together and for Ray to come on the road and help her manage the unstable mess that is Desi. Elijah dressing to impress for Dill led to a heartfelt speech, and it’s just too bad that what he described is exactly what Dill wants, but not with Elijah. Shoshanna spicing up the coffee shop and turning it into the anti-hipster joint it was always meant to be was great, and it’s nice to see her find success back in America. Adam and Jessa had quite the blowout fight about Hannah, and even if they don’t see eye-to-eye on the subject of friendship, they are similarly violent in how they deal with their rage. I’m really impressed with this show, and these two episodes had me looking forward to the sixth and final season in a big way.
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Allison Williams as Marnie and Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna
I feel like this season totally flew by, and maybe that’s because it has aired entirely during the time that I’ve been racing to catch up on TV post-honeymoon. In my mind, this has definitely been the best season of this show since the first, and though it didn’t necessarily get its characters to a great place, it has presented some pretty terrific comedy and drama these past ten episodes. Some things are firmly set in the past, like Fran, who at the beginning of these first two installments got to spew a bit more hate at Hannah as he she closed their relationship up for good. Hannah, somehow, has come through everything a happier and more confident person, quitting her job and telling an earnest story about sex and jealously that landed well. Ending the episode with the title song and Hannah running with a grin on her face was a great way to end the season. I like that we got to meet Jenny Slate’s Tally, and I hope we see her again in season six. Marnie having a sex dream about Ray was strange but a strong impetus for the two of them to finally get together and for Ray to come on the road and help her manage the unstable mess that is Desi. Elijah dressing to impress for Dill led to a heartfelt speech, and it’s just too bad that what he described is exactly what Dill wants, but not with Elijah. Shoshanna spicing up the coffee shop and turning it into the anti-hipster joint it was always meant to be was great, and it’s nice to see her find success back in America. Adam and Jessa had quite the blowout fight about Hannah, and even if they don’t see eye-to-eye on the subject of friendship, they are similarly violent in how they deal with their rage. I’m really impressed with this show, and these two episodes had me looking forward to the sixth and final season in a big way.
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Allison Williams as Marnie and Zosia Mamet as Shoshanna
Friday, April 22, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 8 “Homeward Bound” (B+)
This was a pretty focused episode that depicted how much of a mess some of these characters are. Fran excitedly proclaiming that they were going away for three months would have been cause for celebration had he not insulted Hannah’s friends in the process, and that one remark resulted in her calling off the entire relationship, prompting some pent-up rage in Fran to finally explode and come out. Hannah is definitely a contender for the most selfish character on television, and while Fran may not have been perfect, he was far more supportive of everything that she put him through than, say, Adam. Calling Ray and trying to thank him with an awkward sexual favor was puzzling since that had never been a part of their friendship. Distracting him enough to crash his brand new $50,000 coffee truck was partially his fault, but Hannah’s failure to understand the significance of what had happened was crazy, as was her quick abandonment of him while he waited for his guy to come rather than be ripped off by someone else. I liked the casting of Guillermo Diaz from “Weeds” and “Scandal” as Hector, who was far nicer than the murderer Hannah briefly believed him to be. Desi having Lisa Bonet’s Tandice ask Marnie not to exist was pretty harsh, but I can’t imagine it’s going to stop her from collaborating with him. Adam ignoring Jessa in favor of taking care of his abandoned nephew was more a sign of his growth than her detached immaturity. Shoshanna’s time back in the United States thus far has been rough, starting with unfriendly pedestrians at the airport and ending with a furious lecture from Scott about how she can’t go on welfare and treat herself to sushi and sake lunches in the middle of the day at the same time.
This was a pretty focused episode that depicted how much of a mess some of these characters are. Fran excitedly proclaiming that they were going away for three months would have been cause for celebration had he not insulted Hannah’s friends in the process, and that one remark resulted in her calling off the entire relationship, prompting some pent-up rage in Fran to finally explode and come out. Hannah is definitely a contender for the most selfish character on television, and while Fran may not have been perfect, he was far more supportive of everything that she put him through than, say, Adam. Calling Ray and trying to thank him with an awkward sexual favor was puzzling since that had never been a part of their friendship. Distracting him enough to crash his brand new $50,000 coffee truck was partially his fault, but Hannah’s failure to understand the significance of what had happened was crazy, as was her quick abandonment of him while he waited for his guy to come rather than be ripped off by someone else. I liked the casting of Guillermo Diaz from “Weeds” and “Scandal” as Hector, who was far nicer than the murderer Hannah briefly believed him to be. Desi having Lisa Bonet’s Tandice ask Marnie not to exist was pretty harsh, but I can’t imagine it’s going to stop her from collaborating with him. Adam ignoring Jessa in favor of taking care of his abandoned nephew was more a sign of his growth than her detached immaturity. Shoshanna’s time back in the United States thus far has been rough, starting with unfriendly pedestrians at the airport and ending with a furious lecture from Scott about how she can’t go on welfare and treat herself to sushi and sake lunches in the middle of the day at the same time.
Thursday, April 14, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 7 “Hello Kitty” (B+)
It was interesting to see this episode’s events play out while our main characters struggled with their inability to interact quietly during Adam’s avant-garde play. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Hannah would find it acceptable to get out of trouble with the principal for telling her students that she hated their fellow teachers by inappropriately flashing him, and it’s about time Fran spoke up to let her know how much this bothered him, particularly the fact that she didn’t think it would upset him at all. Hannah realizing that Jessa and Adam were sleeping together was quite a thing to watch, and she didn’t manage to find any of the moral support she needed at that moment thanks to other things going on in the lives of her friends. Marnie pulling Ray aside to tell him that she broke it off with Desi and was excited to be alone was the epitome of her lack of self-awareness. She also did a very poor job of sticking to her guns, eagerly welcoming Desi back into her life, even if not immediately in a romantic sense, as soon as he showed up to tell her that they might have scored a major music gig. More than ever before, Elijah feels apart from the group, but his storyline is pretty worthwhile. The way that Dill played of fthe insignificance and irrelevance of the disparaging claims Elijah heard was extremely smooth and dismissive, and for the moment it seems like Elijah is content with how things are. It’s intriguing to hear that he finds Dill’s friends nice and genuine while he feels that his friends, our girls, are mean people.
It was interesting to see this episode’s events play out while our main characters struggled with their inability to interact quietly during Adam’s avant-garde play. It doesn’t surprise me at all that Hannah would find it acceptable to get out of trouble with the principal for telling her students that she hated their fellow teachers by inappropriately flashing him, and it’s about time Fran spoke up to let her know how much this bothered him, particularly the fact that she didn’t think it would upset him at all. Hannah realizing that Jessa and Adam were sleeping together was quite a thing to watch, and she didn’t manage to find any of the moral support she needed at that moment thanks to other things going on in the lives of her friends. Marnie pulling Ray aside to tell him that she broke it off with Desi and was excited to be alone was the epitome of her lack of self-awareness. She also did a very poor job of sticking to her guns, eagerly welcoming Desi back into her life, even if not immediately in a romantic sense, as soon as he showed up to tell her that they might have scored a major music gig. More than ever before, Elijah feels apart from the group, but his storyline is pretty worthwhile. The way that Dill played of fthe insignificance and irrelevance of the disparaging claims Elijah heard was extremely smooth and dismissive, and for the moment it seems like Elijah is content with how things are. It’s intriguing to hear that he finds Dill’s friends nice and genuine while he feels that his friends, our girls, are mean people.
Monday, April 4, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 6 “The Panic in Central Park” (B+)
After being ignored while the other three were featured last week, it’s both fitting and unexpected that we get an entire installment devoted to no one but Marnie. The rollercoaster that is Desi’s unpredictable personality didn’t leave Marnie in a positive place at the start of the episode, and I think his immediate devolving into incoherent crying only makes things much worse. I was ready for this episode to be a dream, since the notion of Marnie running into Charlie randomly on the street after storming out of her apartment seemed too crazy to be real. I was mostly caught off guard because I remembered that Christopher Abbott left the show because he didn’t get along with Lena Dunham, and for him to return after achieving decent success in independent film with “James White” was a surprise. What was even more jarring was the whirlwind nature of their reignited romance, with Charlie buying Marnie a fancy dress within a short time of their meeting and a passionate sleepover ensuing that same fateful evening. Their mugging was oddly casual and inconsequential, since Marnie giving up her engagement ring was an almost therapeutic rather than devastating step. My favorite moment of the episode was Marnie’s quick thinking and willingness to play the game when she was confused for a prostitute, immediately earning herself $600 with little more than a clever quip about a fear of heights. Seeing her crawl into bed with Hannah and Fran, the emblem of a stable couple compared to her intense and fleeting cycles of love, was a good ending, and now Marnie’s back to being one of the girls without a man to distract her and transport her to another universe.
After being ignored while the other three were featured last week, it’s both fitting and unexpected that we get an entire installment devoted to no one but Marnie. The rollercoaster that is Desi’s unpredictable personality didn’t leave Marnie in a positive place at the start of the episode, and I think his immediate devolving into incoherent crying only makes things much worse. I was ready for this episode to be a dream, since the notion of Marnie running into Charlie randomly on the street after storming out of her apartment seemed too crazy to be real. I was mostly caught off guard because I remembered that Christopher Abbott left the show because he didn’t get along with Lena Dunham, and for him to return after achieving decent success in independent film with “James White” was a surprise. What was even more jarring was the whirlwind nature of their reignited romance, with Charlie buying Marnie a fancy dress within a short time of their meeting and a passionate sleepover ensuing that same fateful evening. Their mugging was oddly casual and inconsequential, since Marnie giving up her engagement ring was an almost therapeutic rather than devastating step. My favorite moment of the episode was Marnie’s quick thinking and willingness to play the game when she was confused for a prostitute, immediately earning herself $600 with little more than a clever quip about a fear of heights. Seeing her crawl into bed with Hannah and Fran, the emblem of a stable couple compared to her intense and fleeting cycles of love, was a good ending, and now Marnie’s back to being one of the girls without a man to distract her and transport her to another universe.
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 5 “Queen for Two Days” (B+)
While it seems that this show has forgotten all about Marnie, it’s doing a good job otherwise of meeting its characters where they are, following them as they navigate the challenges that life throws at them, which is what this show has always been about. It was nice to see Hannah spend some time with her mom in a context that didn’t find her being judged for anything, potentially having the moral superiority for once because her relationship with Fran is, despite her reports to the contrary, going pretty well, as contrasted with the state of Loreen’s marriage. Hannah testing the waters by bringing her cell phone with her and wearing a bathing suit during the hike was typical, but she also tried something completely new that didn’t go anywhere near as smoothly as planned. Ending up in a very comprised situation with her instructor led to some quick romance, but that ended swiftly when Hannah couldn’t keep going and she got left behind by her selfish partner, for lack of a better way of phrasing it. Loreen being told that her gay husband was a nonexistent problem didn’t feel good, but I think it helped her realize that it is a surmountable issue. Jessa introducing Adam to her sister and asking her for money ended up being a great moment for Adam to step up and show that he cares about her and can be the type of boyfriend for her that he was never willing to be for Hannah. Shoshanna’s self-exploration in Japan was interesting, and ending the episode with her walking through the deserted streets was very contemplative and oddly silent for the incessant chatterbox.
While it seems that this show has forgotten all about Marnie, it’s doing a good job otherwise of meeting its characters where they are, following them as they navigate the challenges that life throws at them, which is what this show has always been about. It was nice to see Hannah spend some time with her mom in a context that didn’t find her being judged for anything, potentially having the moral superiority for once because her relationship with Fran is, despite her reports to the contrary, going pretty well, as contrasted with the state of Loreen’s marriage. Hannah testing the waters by bringing her cell phone with her and wearing a bathing suit during the hike was typical, but she also tried something completely new that didn’t go anywhere near as smoothly as planned. Ending up in a very comprised situation with her instructor led to some quick romance, but that ended swiftly when Hannah couldn’t keep going and she got left behind by her selfish partner, for lack of a better way of phrasing it. Loreen being told that her gay husband was a nonexistent problem didn’t feel good, but I think it helped her realize that it is a surmountable issue. Jessa introducing Adam to her sister and asking her for money ended up being a great moment for Adam to step up and show that he cares about her and can be the type of boyfriend for her that he was never willing to be for Hannah. Shoshanna’s self-exploration in Japan was interesting, and ending the episode with her walking through the deserted streets was very contemplative and oddly silent for the incessant chatterbox.
Thursday, March 24, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 4 “Old Loves” (B+)
I had forgotten how Fran and Hannah met, and the opening scene of this episode provided a humorous reminder that they’re both teachers who understandably have very different teaching styles. Hannah was at her most stubborn and inappropriate when she dragged her poor student to Fran’s class to demand an answer for her from him about why her work got torn up. Their relationship is actually probably the smoothest one at the moment, which doesn’t say much about the other romances on this show. I was surprised but delighted to see Vella Lovell, Heather from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” angrily and dryly criticize her neighbor, Marnie, for being inconsiderate. Desi did quite a spectacular job of turning Marnie’s apartment inside out, and after he destroyed that interior he freaked out and nearly fell apart. Fortunately, in that time, Marnie went from furious to feeling guilty and wanting to console her new spouse. Jessa was especially mean to Hannah when they went for rice pudding at Rice to Riches (I’ve been many times – great place), and somehow she justified her anger at Hannah for being upset as a reason to betray her and have sex with Adam, a reunion that didn’t prove nearly as satisfying or smooth as either of them expected. Suddenly, Elijah has become a main character, and his newfound relationship with celebrity Dill Harcourt is taking some very nice turns, giving him just the affirming moments that Hannah and her female friends who used to be the stars of this show could really use.
I had forgotten how Fran and Hannah met, and the opening scene of this episode provided a humorous reminder that they’re both teachers who understandably have very different teaching styles. Hannah was at her most stubborn and inappropriate when she dragged her poor student to Fran’s class to demand an answer for her from him about why her work got torn up. Their relationship is actually probably the smoothest one at the moment, which doesn’t say much about the other romances on this show. I was surprised but delighted to see Vella Lovell, Heather from “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” angrily and dryly criticize her neighbor, Marnie, for being inconsiderate. Desi did quite a spectacular job of turning Marnie’s apartment inside out, and after he destroyed that interior he freaked out and nearly fell apart. Fortunately, in that time, Marnie went from furious to feeling guilty and wanting to console her new spouse. Jessa was especially mean to Hannah when they went for rice pudding at Rice to Riches (I’ve been many times – great place), and somehow she justified her anger at Hannah for being upset as a reason to betray her and have sex with Adam, a reunion that didn’t prove nearly as satisfying or smooth as either of them expected. Suddenly, Elijah has become a main character, and his newfound relationship with celebrity Dill Harcourt is taking some very nice turns, giving him just the affirming moments that Hannah and her female friends who used to be the stars of this show could really use.
Saturday, March 19, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 3 “Japan” (B+)
I enjoyed the way this episode started out, finding Shoshanna having the time of her life in Japan, seemingly a little less vain and fake as she actually managed to learn a little Japanese. The opening title being in Japanese was fun too. Hearing her say that she’s never heard that she talks too fast was hilarious, and the hot tub chatting about whether she’d sleep with her boss (and hearing his similar simultaneous conversation too) was entertaining. Finding out that she got “managed out” rather than fired was a devastating blow, and she went off the deep end a bit with her last hurrah. Putting on the nurse’s outfit and getting into the Japanese sex club scene was an uncomfortable moment, and ultimately she got what she didn’t know she wanted all along: a romantic encounter with that boss, who was considerably nicer than all the others at the sex club. Too bad Scott was waiting at the airport for her with a sweet sign, and her not showing up prompted him to throw out his flowers. She’s on her own planet anyway, but I suspect that she won’t have a warm homecoming when she does inevitably return to New York. I liked the brief snippet of Marnie we got on her honeymoon in Ecuador (I can’t pronounce it like she can). Seeing Adam’s TV guest spot opposite Lucy Liu was fun, and it seems that his fine acting wasn’t enough to convince Jessa that they really should just go for it and explore a sexual relationship. Hannah’s reaction to Fran masturbating to pictures of his naked ex-girlfriends rather than porn was somewhat understandable, but of course she went about it in a very aggressive way, and something tells me that Fran will not be too happy to learn that she went ahead and deleted all the pictures while he was sleeping.
I enjoyed the way this episode started out, finding Shoshanna having the time of her life in Japan, seemingly a little less vain and fake as she actually managed to learn a little Japanese. The opening title being in Japanese was fun too. Hearing her say that she’s never heard that she talks too fast was hilarious, and the hot tub chatting about whether she’d sleep with her boss (and hearing his similar simultaneous conversation too) was entertaining. Finding out that she got “managed out” rather than fired was a devastating blow, and she went off the deep end a bit with her last hurrah. Putting on the nurse’s outfit and getting into the Japanese sex club scene was an uncomfortable moment, and ultimately she got what she didn’t know she wanted all along: a romantic encounter with that boss, who was considerably nicer than all the others at the sex club. Too bad Scott was waiting at the airport for her with a sweet sign, and her not showing up prompted him to throw out his flowers. She’s on her own planet anyway, but I suspect that she won’t have a warm homecoming when she does inevitably return to New York. I liked the brief snippet of Marnie we got on her honeymoon in Ecuador (I can’t pronounce it like she can). Seeing Adam’s TV guest spot opposite Lucy Liu was fun, and it seems that his fine acting wasn’t enough to convince Jessa that they really should just go for it and explore a sexual relationship. Hannah’s reaction to Fran masturbating to pictures of his naked ex-girlfriends rather than porn was somewhat understandable, but of course she went about it in a very aggressive way, and something tells me that Fran will not be too happy to learn that she went ahead and deleted all the pictures while he was sleeping.
Sunday, March 13, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls
Girls: Season 5, Episode 2 “Good Man” (B+)
I am really liking this show this season. The opening scene was strange, to be sure, but it took a fantastic turn right before the opening credits rolled when Hannah agreed to cover up one exposed area only to show another more than her houseguest would have liked. Fran seemed pretty cool about Elijah and Hannah making out in front of him despite his objections, and I’d like to think that even Hannah is aware enough that it’s not an okay thing to do while in a relationship. Elijah, it appears, will have his own romance going forward, as the object of desire for a famous newscaster played by the fantastic Corey Stoll from “House of Cards.” Elijah is also doing a remarkably terrible job of working at Ray’s coffee shop, though Ray didn’t do much better when we went over to give his lid-snobbing competitors a piece of his mind. Hannah spent pretty much the whole episode dealing with her father, who left his wallet at a one-night stand’s apartment. It’s funny because Ethan Phillips and Peter Scolari actually look a bit alike, and naturally Hannah would strike up a conversation with the nice guy with the New York-sized apartment where her father left his wallet after taking off his pants. I’m so interested in this new romance that involves Adam and Jessa, who are great for each other despite their intentions to destroy each other’s lives, and who are doing their best to circumvent the rules of polite society that prevent them from engaging in a romance due to the existence of one Hannah Horvath, who Laird summed up very well in his conversation with Adam.
I am really liking this show this season. The opening scene was strange, to be sure, but it took a fantastic turn right before the opening credits rolled when Hannah agreed to cover up one exposed area only to show another more than her houseguest would have liked. Fran seemed pretty cool about Elijah and Hannah making out in front of him despite his objections, and I’d like to think that even Hannah is aware enough that it’s not an okay thing to do while in a relationship. Elijah, it appears, will have his own romance going forward, as the object of desire for a famous newscaster played by the fantastic Corey Stoll from “House of Cards.” Elijah is also doing a remarkably terrible job of working at Ray’s coffee shop, though Ray didn’t do much better when we went over to give his lid-snobbing competitors a piece of his mind. Hannah spent pretty much the whole episode dealing with her father, who left his wallet at a one-night stand’s apartment. It’s funny because Ethan Phillips and Peter Scolari actually look a bit alike, and naturally Hannah would strike up a conversation with the nice guy with the New York-sized apartment where her father left his wallet after taking off his pants. I’m so interested in this new romance that involves Adam and Jessa, who are great for each other despite their intentions to destroy each other’s lives, and who are doing their best to circumvent the rules of polite society that prevent them from engaging in a romance due to the existence of one Hannah Horvath, who Laird summed up very well in his conversation with Adam.
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
What I’m Watching: Girls (Season Premiere)
Girls: Season 5, Episode 1 “Wedding Day” (B+)
I had all but forgotten about this show and wasn’t particularly excited to watch it because I remembered my waning enthusiasm over the past two or so seasons. This premiere, however, was a true delight, spending plenty of time checking in with its characters and in no particular rush to get anywhere, which was great. The best part of the episode, to me, was Fran. I’ve been a fan of Jake Lacy since “Better With You” and haven’t loved the roles he’s gotten since. Yet he completely nailed every moment of this episode, from being dumbfounded and offended that Desi didn’t remember him even though the two of them went for a bike ride to being warned about his intentions by Ray to telling Hannah that she couldn’t relay Desi’s eight-engagement past to Marnie. The interaction between Adam and Fran was also fun, and it’s both intriguing and worrisome to see that Adam and Jessa are acting somewhat on their mutual attraction, something which will surely infuriate Hannah. Though she was on her own planet as usual, Shoshanna was fairly loyal to Marnie while no one was paying much attention to her, or offering poor words of comfort like about how rain is good for fertility. Bebe didn’t turn out too well, and it was nice to see the four friends and Marnie’s monster mother bond and get back on track when they had to rescue the disaster that was their makeup. I’m genuinely looking forward to this season, which is a real treat.
I had all but forgotten about this show and wasn’t particularly excited to watch it because I remembered my waning enthusiasm over the past two or so seasons. This premiere, however, was a true delight, spending plenty of time checking in with its characters and in no particular rush to get anywhere, which was great. The best part of the episode, to me, was Fran. I’ve been a fan of Jake Lacy since “Better With You” and haven’t loved the roles he’s gotten since. Yet he completely nailed every moment of this episode, from being dumbfounded and offended that Desi didn’t remember him even though the two of them went for a bike ride to being warned about his intentions by Ray to telling Hannah that she couldn’t relay Desi’s eight-engagement past to Marnie. The interaction between Adam and Fran was also fun, and it’s both intriguing and worrisome to see that Adam and Jessa are acting somewhat on their mutual attraction, something which will surely infuriate Hannah. Though she was on her own planet as usual, Shoshanna was fairly loyal to Marnie while no one was paying much attention to her, or offering poor words of comfort like about how rain is good for fertility. Bebe didn’t turn out too well, and it was nice to see the four friends and Marnie’s monster mother bond and get back on track when they had to rescue the disaster that was their makeup. I’m genuinely looking forward to this season, which is a real treat.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
What I’m Watching: Girls (Season Finale)
Girls: Season 4, Episode 10 “Home Birth” (B+)
This was a perfectly good episode, but I don’t know how I feel about it as a season finale. After a shaky start with the season premiere, I was actually quite impressed with this season and the direction it took, and while I do wish Hannah was still in Iowa insulting Desiree Akhavan and her other classmates, her return to New York was pretty worthwhile too. The birth of Caroline and Laird’s baby is a very tangential event in many ways, but seeing Adam and Hannah standing near the child and talking honestly about where their relationship meant was very relevant and a byproduct of that situation. Naming their baby JessaHannah is an equally nice and peculiar thing, and it was interesting to see that Jessa made it more about herself than Hannah did, a rare feat. Kudos to Hannah for finally standing up to Adam and rejecting his attempt to go back to the status quo. I’m happy to see that she’s with Fran in the near future, and hopefully he’ll be a big part of season five. Shoshanna’s interviews really are quite wild, and it looks like she’s headed to Japan, which probably won’t be a complete disaster, though it will surely ruin her budding relationship with Scott. Ray’s unprovoked takedown of Desi was pretty fantastic, but unfortunately it appears to have sent him running, which isn’t a problem since it helped Marnie get her solo start, and hopefully she won’t be a complete wreck without him. This season reasserted my confidence in this show, and I’m now eager to see where it’s headed.
Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Lena Dunham
This was a perfectly good episode, but I don’t know how I feel about it as a season finale. After a shaky start with the season premiere, I was actually quite impressed with this season and the direction it took, and while I do wish Hannah was still in Iowa insulting Desiree Akhavan and her other classmates, her return to New York was pretty worthwhile too. The birth of Caroline and Laird’s baby is a very tangential event in many ways, but seeing Adam and Hannah standing near the child and talking honestly about where their relationship meant was very relevant and a byproduct of that situation. Naming their baby JessaHannah is an equally nice and peculiar thing, and it was interesting to see that Jessa made it more about herself than Hannah did, a rare feat. Kudos to Hannah for finally standing up to Adam and rejecting his attempt to go back to the status quo. I’m happy to see that she’s with Fran in the near future, and hopefully he’ll be a big part of season five. Shoshanna’s interviews really are quite wild, and it looks like she’s headed to Japan, which probably won’t be a complete disaster, though it will surely ruin her budding relationship with Scott. Ray’s unprovoked takedown of Desi was pretty fantastic, but unfortunately it appears to have sent him running, which isn’t a problem since it helped Marnie get her solo start, and hopefully she won’t be a complete wreck without him. This season reasserted my confidence in this show, and I’m now eager to see where it’s headed.
Season grade: B+
Season MVP: Lena Dunham
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