"It's about fucking time."
Saying that Girls had a big night last night would be a bit of an understatement. Not only did the highly touted and even more discussed series from Lena Dunham return for its second season but the HBO comedy also racked up a few major awards at the Golden Globes. If you thought the series was under scrutiny (or sometimes seemingly just downright disdain) before, now that it won Best Actress in a Television Series, Comedy or Musical and Best Television Series, Comedy or Musical from the second most prestigious TV award show audiences will surely be looking at each installment through an even more critical microscope. No matter. Dunham and her Girls can take it as well as back it up with the material. You know, talking the talk and walking the walk. Even if it means strutting, or barely being able to move, in uncomfortable high heels. The long wait for the start of the second season of HBO's Golden Globe winning Girls is finally over, "It's About Time"...
"I'm sorry I have a boner, it's not for you."
Going into any new season, it's nice to get a quick refresher and for those that didn't prepare by re-watching last year's finale, well, there was that nice previously on segment. But seriously, one of the great things about "It's About Time" was the introductory sequence which quickly cut to catch up with almost all our main characters and where they are in their lives. The first scene with Hannah and Elijah was not only a fun and funny way to kick off Season 2 but also quickly reminded the forgetful about their new roommate situation and how that was going as well as immediately raising questions about how Marnie is doing now that she's out and Elijah's in but first, there was a nice albeit fleeting moment with Shoshanna cleansing her spirit and, uh, vowing to ruin Ray's life. I love the matching red 'Keep Calm' poster on her wall, a nice touch that sums up a lot about the loveable energizer bunny character. Oh, so how's Marnie doing? The beautiful, smart and sure to land on her feet girl gets fired in her first appearance so, yeah, not so good. One quibble, couldn't Marnie sue her boss for downsizing her instead of the dummy who ruined the lesser print on the basis of the former having boned the latter?
"I talk to my friends way worse than this."
That's not really important, what is important for Marnie is the growth that's sure to come from the experience of getting canned. I mean, who hasn't been fired at some point and, just like her former employer said, she is a beautiful (oh my) and intelligent young woman who's bound to success. If she can grow the fuck up. Being anal (even though she assumes she wouldn't like it) is not the same as being a grown up. In fact, a sign of maturity (so I'm told) is someone's ability to pick their battles, compromise and recognize when your way isn't necessarily working. Of course, it's easy to see where the blinding quest for perfection comes from after meeting her mother for lunch (played note perfect by Rita Wilson) and witnessing their overbearing banter. Never the life of the party, Marnie finds herself in awkward-town stuck conversing and talking about conversing with Charlie (and briefly his new thing) but that's nothing compared to the awkward that occurs at the end of the episode's best scene between her and Elijah. While it might, in an odd way, bring the two of them closer, despite the biting last remarks, it will surely drive a spike between Marnie and Hannah before the season is out. Speaking of driving spikes, how about her climbing into bed with Charlie? I sure that will stay innocent. "A panda next to a gun next to a wrapped gift. It makes no sense."
After seeing Shosh perform her spirit thingy at the beginning of "It's About Time," you knew it was only a matter of time before the adorable pixie wound up in direct conflict with the object of her ruin. And by conflict, of course I mean a sexual confrontation. She arrives unfashionable and eagerly early for the housewarming party but proudly declares that just because she misses her hymen (or feels something missing) doesn't mean that her deflowering in anyway devalues her person. I wonder if she's saying these things out loud to make herself believe them? Hm. To be fair, Ray's just as bizarre and into her since he spends the whole party watching Shoshanna's unique way of letting loose, like singing some sad karaoke or playing imaginary turntables on the oven. What's not to love? Seriously. Eventually the bubbling chemistry boils over in the coat room when, after she expresses her hurt feelings while sporting her big girl pants not to mention a touching argument over the value of emojis, Ray keeps her from retreating and they end up making out on top of all the guests' coats.
"Dating me is irresponsible."
Hannah, played by Golden Globe winning actress Lena Dunham, as usual carries the bulk of the episode and, once the lovely morning waking with her new roommate is over, she heads over for a sexual rendezvous with Donald Glover. Yes! The amazing Donald Glover made his first appearance on the show in his recurring role and he fits the series tone and dialogue perfectly. I also can't help but think the parrot-like back and forth during the sex was commenting on the critics' complaints about the lack of black characters in the series' first season. What do they say, "you've been waiting for this." The follow-up scene was rather sweet, if made unnecessarily complicated by Hannah's new rules for dating, and again showcased the seamless integration of his Glover's Sandy into Girls. And then, after the mention of 'him,' the series contrasts the bright and optimistic new relationship with the dark and broken one between Hannah and Adam having her play his nurse-servant and recipient of his weird relationship philosophy which sometimes makes sense but almost always comes across as cruel. At least he's honest?
"When you love someone, you don't have to be nice all the time."
Even though Hannah and Elijah's new living situation seems to be going so well, despite a bit of miscommunication when it came hosting a French Salon, it doesn't take long for the their issues to quickly invade their loving home. That's what you get when you host a party, a bunch of drunk feelings roaming around your halls. Hannah was smart (arguably) in having her new fling stay away from the shindig that features the close knit friends while Elijah's not so lucky since his sugar daddy has a bit too much booze and begins to be an embarrassment. Call in the troops, namely Hannah, and the sweet girl quickly locks him out for the rest of the night. This inspires Hannah to head over to Adam's and, once again, try to end things during what is hopefully the final guilt driven delivery of supplies. Can she stay away? Probably not but she does at least end up in the right bed by the end of the night. She's just looking for a little Ayn Rand. Another great episode in the still young show and "It's About Time" shows that Girls hasn't missed a beat from the now award winning first season and leaves me excited to see (and clueless as to) where the rest of the second is heading. Okay, now I'm just fawning.
Girls airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO. It stars Lena Dunham, Jemima Kirke, Zosia Mamet, Allison Williams, Adam Driver, Christopher Abbott and Andrew Rannells. From executive producer Judd Apatow, Girls was created by Lena Dunham.
