Perhaps not the best marketing strategy but certainly an apt title for the series, this week's episode of Girls is called "Leave Me Alone." When the HBO comedy from Lena Dunham debuted, there was a moment when the network might have made this their battling cry, debating the notion that 'all press is good press' because, let's face it, things got unusually ugly there for a while. Well, the hubbub about Girls has settled and everyone seems focused solely on the actual show (which is very good) just in time for the first season to come to a close.
There are only two episodes remaining after last week's "Weirdos Need Girlfriends Too," an episode that reigned in the more free, fun and funny show in "Bushwick" to return Dunham's series to its more familiar awkwardness. I would say that the men in "Weirdos Need Girlfriends Too" played a significant role in returning the cringe to Girls - usually something Hannah can accomplish all on her own - with Adam, well, being Adam and Chris O'Dowd turning in a hilariously desperate guest turn.
This week's teaser for "Leave Me Alone" already showcased a few of the second last episode's plot lines as well as guest stars Kathryn Hahn (returning), Michael Imperioli and Jenny Slate. These two new clips for tonight's show ignore the former's return and the implications that creates for Jessa (will she return to work with the 'girls' despite the awkwardness with the father?) but the latter two figure prominently in "Hannah Thing To Do." The clip has Hannah at some kind of school function where she encounters the 'successful but bad' writer and former classmate Slate as well as Imperioli's former professor who not only always championed Hannah's work but was also one of her college girl crushes.
In "Bushwick," we saw Ray getting his groin massaged by Shoshanna but unfortunately neither of them (two of my favorite characters) made an appearance in last Sunday's episode. Thanks to this week's preview we know that Shoshanna is also back for "Leave Me Alone" (and doing some online dating?) but this second clip, "A Slim Leg," is focused on Ray and a semi-enigmatic conversation he's having with Hannah. I'm not quite sure what he's doing in that basement bunker of sorts but I think he's training Hannah for work at the Cafe? Something like that? Either way, a white dress won't do for whatever he has in store for our leading lady. A trip to American Apparel wouldn't hurt. He's a dick, but I like him.
Girls airs Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET on HBO. It stars Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet and Allison Williams. From executive producer Judd Apatow, Girls was created by Lena Dunham.
