Girls was back last night with an all new episode, titled “Cubbies”, wirtten by Jesse Peretzand directed by Bruce Eric Kaplan, and it was great.
It’s my first review for Girls and I can’t emphasize enough how thrilled and proud I am to review it. I really appreciate Lena Dunham’s work, for me, she’s the perfect author. She has this remarkable ability to analyze our world, our personalities, the way they live and how and why we react this way in our society. That’s just amazing and genius to able able to analyze as she's experimenting.
Hannah’s parts in “Cubbies” really touched me. It was brave from Hannah to quit Iowa and go back to NY. Of course, one can argue it’s always easier to quit and go back home. But it’s not. It’s never easy to quit, it takes courage to really think and focus on what is really important and make that decision.
Hannah never was happy in Iowa. She was lonely, even if Elijah came to live with her. He’s not a great person to live with, he’s too self absorbed, as Hannah. They’re fun when they party together (that dance scene was epic) but otherwise, on a daily basis, they don’t go very well. He's not right roommate for her. Hannah never made friends with her workshop classmates. They were awful people, so arrogant and pretentious.
Iowa wasn’t for her, but Hannah took time to finally understand it. Her scene with her classmates about her letter was hilarious. I kept laughing out loud at Lena Dunham’s face and rolled eyes. She wrote them an “apology” letter, since the poet party where she basically told everyone what she really thought of them and of course it wasn't nice, at least it was honest. Hannah's letter wasn’t an apology at all, but she couldn’t get it. Hannah is too much selfish, (and I don’t think being selfish is that bad, it’s your life after all so it’s important to live it for you) but sometimes she really puts herself in the center of the world, making her unable to understand other's feelings.
I thought she was right to write that letter, she wanted to make things clear with her classmates, instead she made things even worst. Those people would never try to understand her and be on her side. But in the end, it wasn't what mattered. Hannah came to Iowa to learn and to write but she wasn’t capable of any of that in that environment. Her teacher was so great with her. I thought too for a second she would kick Hannah out. Her words were perfectly chosen, she saw Hannah wasn’t happy, wasn’t blooming in her class. Maybe the program wasn’t for her, maybe she wasn't fit for it anyways Hannah is an adult and she had to make a decision.
Finally, the dinner with her father had made up Hannah’s mind. I always love Hannah and her father’s scenes. They have such a weird and fun dynamic. He was acting weirder than usual, did he make a stupid decision ? Anyways, I particularly liked his words. Hannah felt trapped, she felt like she couldn’t leave because of what others will say. It was supposed her opportunity to learn and be a writer. Her father reminded her she had to live for herself, she had to make the decisions which felt right for her. If leaving felt the best thing to do for her, then she has to do it and no think about what other will say. It was very brave from her to quit this excellent program, a part of her dream because she realized the program wasn’t for her, or she wasn’t for it. Either way, she couldn’t write, she didn’t learn. She is way better in new York, with her friends, and writing. I can’t wait to finally have the girls all back together ! But coming back to New York unannounced proved to be quite painful and awkward for Hannah
Hannah went to her (former?) apartment, only to find Adam with another girl, Mimi-Rose (seriously ??!) and her TV and couch were missing. Mimi Rose isn’t Adam’s roomate so… Yes, she's his girlfriend ?! I can’t believe he did that to Hannah. I’ve never been a big fan of Adam, he has always seemed quite toxic to Hannah imo.
I think since last episode, Girl has really found a new way to deal with all its characters in one episode, without focusing too much on Hannah. I’m really happy about it. I’m a big Hannha’s fan, no worries there, but I also like the other girls and sometimes it feels like we just don't see enough of them.
This week Jessa was kind absent (I expected her to be in Adam's apartment actually) but her one scene with Marnie and Shosh was so good. I laughed out loud at about each of her lines and her facial expressions.
Marnie has been having a rough time since season 2 and her breakup with Charlie. I must say she’s my least favorite girl. I always really wanted to like her, I admire Allison Williams’ work so much. She’s so talented but there’s something so off with Marnie, as a character. I just don’t get her all the time. I loved when she was making Shosh and Jessa listening to her new song with Desi. She wore that arrogant look on her face while they were listening to it and she didn’t accept their opinions. It was a bit harsh, but kind of true what they said.
I’ve never liked Marnie and Desi’s relationship. Being the mistress never suited Marnie’s character. She is way too possessive to accept that position. Desi finally broke off with Clementine, but he didn’t do it for the right reasons. He didn’t leave her to be with Marnie because he loves her. He left her girlfriend because she was about to leave him for another man. So he broke off first and went to Marnie. At least, she got some pleasure from him, not from behind this time.
I don’t really see them as a couple. Even as singing partners they’re not that good, he can’t calm her down when she freaks out. I really want something interesting and unexpected to happen to Marnie. She really needs something, a change because it’s starting to feel like she’s running in circles.
Shoshanna is the perfect example of the goods of a change in character. She is still that awkward and weird girl from season one, but now she is way more open to people and spontaneous.
Her job interview was so great, she was so naive and when she asked “what’s wrong with me”, I knew she wasn’t ready to hear it, nobody is ever ready for that answer. (and I’m disappointed we didn’t get to hear the whole speech, it was hilarious).
Poor Shoshanna, the world is harsh and bad, you should listen more. Shosh is always living her bubble, she has her own ways to deal with reality and she tends to only see what she wants to. But she’s growing.
Her relationship with Ray really helped her last season to become more adult, and it also helped Ray too. I was glad they finally talked and Shosh finally expressed her apologies for the way she acted with him. She was so cold and bad at the end. Her words to Ray were perfect,a little confused but so true. The writing in Girls is always so real and clever, I wish I could talk like that.
What did you think of “Cubbies” and its cliffhanger ? Do you think he's cheating ? Who's that Mimi Rose ? Hit the comments !
Girls notes :
- The honking. ! I totally get Ray, it gets on my nerves so much ! It was so cute when he stopped when he saw Shoshana
- Marnie asked the bartender to turn off the music so Jessa could hear her phone... and she was serious !
- So, for Hannah, it’s an apology if you write I’m sorry. Doesn’t matter what else you write in it.
- Shosh and Ray’s shopping was epic. They're really great together
