Girls (HBO Show)

[ExistenceNow]

Were we previously unaware that Hannah is self-absorbed, so much so that we needed an entire side-plot episode dedicated to it?

It's a pretty fundamental element of her character.

[water_into_wine]

Yeah, that was a bad episode. I might have liked it more if it somehow changed her behavior. Halfway through the episode I could tell it would be self-contained but loved the idea of Hannah experiencing a normal relationship for once (see Adam with Natalia as a contrast). I just hated how it fell apart. All too predictable and like Matthew says it told us nothing new.

I do like Dunham taking risks and experimenting with an episode. Just not in a 10 episode season which has largely been them running in place.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by ExistenceNow

Were we previously unaware that Hannah is self-absorbed, so much so that we needed an entire side-plot episode dedicated to it?

It's a pretty fundamental element of her character.

While I have to concede that if you lift the episode out, the rest of the season (so far) is pretty coherent without it, I think it showed what this show is capable of. If they make episodes of the caliber of One Man's Trash on a regular basis, this show will destroy.

I thought the episode was moving and, again, well-constructed in all aspects: the camera work, the dialogue, the pacing, the tone. It reminded me of The Suitcase (if you're a Mad Men fan) in how richly it knows its characters and how well it was put together.

It doesn't parcel out any grand bits of plot or information, but it adds color to how we see Hannah. Her realization that she does want to be happy underscores the OCD storyline. It raises the stakes for her ebook to be a success because it's a stepping stone to that bigger, better life she wants. It informs why she's hurting herself right now for struggling to become that person.

It also told us her behavior with Adam wasn't isolated in terms of being self-centered, further revealing that Adam might actually not be the dick he seemed in S1.

Originally Posted by water_into_wine

I just hated how it fell apart. All too predictable and like Matthew says it told us nothing new.

You knew it had to though, right? You had to guess that Hannah was gonna screw it up by opening her mouth and ruining a good thing.

[water_into_wine]

Yeah, so how does it being that predictable make it good? Wasn't surprising and then left her with no change in character.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by water_into_wine

Yeah, so how does it being that predictable make it good? Wasn't surprising and then left her with no change in character.

I think it did change her character or at least how the audience perceives her, but we can agree to disagree there.

Being predictable isn't necessarily a bad thing. For example, you know the cops are going to get the robbers, but you watch because you want to see how. It's the journey, not the destination. For me, I thought the way in which Hannah arrived there was interesting.

[water_into_wine]

Not me. Fuck police procedurals.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by water_into_wine

Not me. Fuck police procedurals.

Well done, Tony. Well done.

[water_into_wine]

I'd say something more substantive, but I really just disagree with pretty much everything you say.

[ExistenceNow]

I don't disagree with the notion that it was a well crafted episode, because it was. There's just really not room for that kind of masturbatory episode making when you have such a short season.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by water_into_wine

I'd say something more substantive, but I really just disagree with pretty much everything you say.

But I wanted to fight!

jk

Everyone likes something different, right?

[water_into_wine]

I mean I don't disagree with you liking it. I just don't agree with your reasons for liking it. I viewed many of what you said in wildly different terms.

[haybale97]

Just watched this most recent episode.



Adam....what the fuck? That episode was downright uncomfortable for so many reasons.

[ExistenceNow]

He was just being himself; finally.


The first sex scene with those two was more uncomfortable for me, because I kept waiting for him to do what he did in the last one.

[Alazais]

I had to run out as it was ending. Did the super hot dark haired chick leave Adam (I think that's his name) after the awful sex scene where he made he crawl to the bed and then nutted on her tits in 10 seconds?

[ExistenceNow]

Originally Posted by Alazais

I had to run out as it was ending. Did the super hot dark haired chick leave Adam (I think that's his name) after the awful sex scene where he made he crawl to the bed and then nutted on her tits in 10 seconds?

That scene ended with his asking if she was done with him now. She kinda had a look that said she is, but she didn't actually answer.

[Alazais]

Ah. Okay. Hmm. What a conundrum! She's so hot and he's so weird. Awesome character though. He usually has the best lines of the show.

His description of love in the previous episode at the AA meeting was awesome.

[coldengrey12]

Originally Posted by water_into_wine

I mean I don't disagree with you liking it. I just don't agree with your reasons for liking it. I viewed many of what you said in wildly different terms.

That's cool. And certainly we can have differing opinions. I'm allowed to like it just as you are allowed to dislike it.

If you were to rewatch the season, would you skip it entirely? Do you find it that inessential? Just curious.

Originally Posted by haybale97

Adam....what the fuck? That episode was downright uncomfortable for so many reasons.

I had a harder time watching Marnie commit social suicide by singing at the party than the super uncomfortable Adam/Natalia tryst.

[ExistenceNow]

I would watch the beginning where Ray flips out on homedude, then probably move on to the next one.

[water_into_wine]

Depending on the season finale I might stop watching it altogether. Its only a half hour though so its not a huge time-investment.

I think the first season was pretty special. The second is pretty average.

[Alazais]

I enjoyed the finale. At first I thought the dude running to hannah on Facetime (terrible, shameless Apple plug) was awful. As it conitnued on though I found myself more enamoured at the situation. It was kind of adorable.

[coldengrey12]

I hated how loud the music was in that sequence, but I liked the idea. It would've been really sad if she had ended the season alone.

And of course he ran to her shirtless.

I liked Shosh serving up Ray. Marnie and Charlie reconnecting is kinda meh to me.

[Alazais]

Originally Posted by coldengrey12

I hated how loud the music was in that sequence, but I liked the idea. It would've been really sad if she had ended the season alone.

And of course he ran to her shirtless.

I liked Shosh serving up Ray. Marnie and Charlie reconnecting is kinda meh to me.

I thought it was to bad for Ray. I liked him. The guy was smart but a bit of a fuck up and when it came down to the issues, he said, "Is this a real issue for you?" (Is this the thing that is the problem?) and then he went to go and fix it.

I also enjoyed his, comment about the difference between being mean and critical thinking. Was a valid point (although he's wrong, in that he's a bit of a negative nancy) the point was solid.

[Beebz]

Came home and wifey was watching the finale. Holy shit is this terrible. Cunty, selfish Hannah tries to spin manipulating Adam into coming over as a heroic, romantic rescue? For someone as clued into audience reaction as Dunham, that was remarkably tone deaf.

[water_into_wine]

Yeah, so far I'm halfway through the finale and its been pretty much terrible.

I stand by Ray and Adam being the most well-written characters, which seems odd for a show called Girls.

[Beebz]

Adam and Ray are easily the best characters, probably because they're not completely terrible people.

[water_into_wine]

Yeah that finale was terrible. I'm probably done with this show. Seemed like the only purpose of that episode was to say "Hey, let's end each relationship the opposite from where they started! Because you know, that's a clever idea and even though we'll do it with little set-up it will show how relationships can change just like that!"

Just a very thin story here. When Laird was telling her how shallow and self-centered she is I realized just how many time we've seen that same comment made. Like it is on repeat.

I think it is fine to have a character who is really self-centered and other shows have done it, but Hannah has no subtlety anymore. They don't show it in clever or interesting ways anymore. Its just the same thing over and over.

[water_into_wine]

I really disliked Ray by the end of it (wish they gave him a better comeback then "My negativity is critical thinking!") because what Shoshanna was saying was pretty damn reasonable.

[thebridge15]

Hannah and Shoshanna are both totally, unbearably terrible. The absolute worst. I don't ever remember disliking characters more than them. I mean oh my god.

It's tough cause a character like Adam is actually pretty interesting.

I don't know anymore. There are episodes that are really well done and episodes that plain fucking suck. Finale was one of them.

[ExistenceNow]

I liked enough of this season to keep watching, but that wasn't a very good finale.


Shosh is so damn obnoxious. Spit it the fuck out, woman.

[water_into_wine]

Shoshanna is meant to be annoying, but she's probably the most interesting girl at this point. And the most sensible.