Girls Season 2 Episode 1

Brandon and I have been agreeing on so many 2012 films that we decided to blog about each episode of Girls Season 2 together. It will culminate with a Girls-themed fondue party that John plans to live-tweet.

First, Brandon, I hope that I don't end up trying to defend this show all season long. I'm sorry, but I can't remember your opinions on last season. But you're watching it...so that's something...

Season 1 was mostly great. I'm not going to re-hash what I said about that right now. It's on the blog (or maybe Facebook) somewhere. I liked what it had to say if not always how it was said.

Season 2 is off to a shaky start. The first episode felt like it was a bit all over the place. This is strange to say when the episode brought everyone together in the same room for the lamest party in all of Brooklyn. There were several threads left from last season and it feels like this episode tries to grab a bit of each and push it forward without really getting there. Is the story arc supposed to mimic the floundering of the characters lives?

There are a few stand-out characters in this episode. The first is Donald Glover's character. Not because we see much of him but because what we do see is awesome. His arrival as Hanna's new "main hang" (borrowing Adam's term) puts her in a precarious situation with Adam that comes to an interesting confrontation towards the end of the episode. She gets to decide who to like and he doesn't have a say. I thought that scene was really well done. It's a not-unfamiliar conversation.

Also, when Hanna shows up for a late-night booty call and asks to borrow The Fountainhead is the only time that I laughed out loud during the whole episode.

Trishana remains an annoyingly adorable caricature of...I'm not exactly sure what. She's probably a little bit over-played but it's always for good laughs. Her conversation with Alex Karposvky's character was brilliant right down to their awkward, beer-spilling kiss. Oh, and she doesn't miss her hymen as much as she feels something is...missing, you know?

My favorite character and storyline of this episode centers around Marnie. I think that Allison Williams brings it to an entirely new level with this episode than any from Season 1. She plays the hot bitchy girl perfectly. How many girls do you know like this? I know several. They are so stunningly beautiful and just interesting enough (like they have a job in an art gallery or something) to fool you into an obsession where there really shouldn't be one. We see throughout the episode how self-obsessed and egotistical Marnie is. Hanna's new roommate is right when he says, "You know how hot you are. That's why you're such a bitch." Then they attempt to have sex. Then they take a moment to assure each other that they don't have to be someone they aren't.

I'm really curious to see where Marnie ends up as the series progresses. She seems poised for some sort of change and I hope it comes in a form other than returning to her ex-boyfriend and realizing that she was wrong about the "nice guy". How boring would that be? Let's see something substantive from Marnie. I think Williams is up for the challenge.

Other things of note:

We get to see more of Lena Dunham's chubby belly and tiny boobs. I'm not saying that in a mean way. I think her nudity and her body is part of a statement she wants to make about how women's bodies are perceived. I'm fine with that and more power to her. It's a worthy statement.

Hanna's new roommate (and old boyfriend) is stereotypically hilarious. The last seen between him and Marnie is pretty funny.

I'm curious to see what happens with Adam. We spent so much time learning to like him last season that it seems like a waste to take him completely out of the picture. Hanna probably isn't as finished with him as she says.