Episode Review - Girls S01 E08

by Raquel

I don’t agree with the AV Club’s review of the most recent episode of Girls (episode 8). Personally, it was my favourite epiode so far, detailing the consequences, the fall-out, the hangover of last week’s party.

The consequences aren’t necessarily bad. Marnie ends up in a post-break-up funk, but it’s something that she needed to go through. We’ve all been there, haven’t we? And that’s the reason the show is so successful – it’s so. damn. relateable.

Hannah, similarly, is living with the consequences of last week’s party – a fledgling new relationship. The young bird metaphor is apt; the audience catches a glimpse of the relationship testing its wings, but whether it will ultimately fly remains a mystery. The character development of Adam continues to engross the audience as we see him in the role of sweet new boyfriend, discussing childhood stories and teasing his girlfriend before he snaps into the sexual weirdness that we witnessed in earlier episodes.

His peculiar personality exerts itself when he and Hannah take a run, and Adam screams at Hannah like a sadistic personal trainer from The Biggest Loser. Is that dynamic really healthy for Hannah, even in jest? Although Adam’s oddly frightening teasing occurs within the safe-zone of their relationship, Hannah is a girl with a history of self-image and diet issues that render the subject a delicate one to say the least.

Adam’s real temper becomes apparent on two separate occasions during the episode, scaring both Hannah and the audience, but he attempts to make ammends and ultimately regains Hannah’s affections by the end of the episode. In reality, though, Adam’s apologies are not good enough. Hannah notes that Adam is a very bad apologiser, and, while Adam’s apology wall is a sweet gesture that wins Hannah over, it is ultimately futile in its aim – the car driver whom he terrorised is likely to either never see it, or at least never connect it to Adam’s outburst on the street.

Hannah’s naivety is apparent: she doesn’t know how to deal with Adam’s temperament, yet she is revelling in having a boyfriend. This is yet another manifestation of Hannah’s self-absorbtion – who amongst us has not revelled in the self-indulgence that comes with having a sweetly enamoured new lover, and secretly felt like the centre of the universe? But, at the same time, the audience can see Hannah beginning, ever so slightly, to realise her flaw and take tip-toed steps towards fixing it. Hannah asks questions of Adam, and encourages him in his acting work. She learns more about her paramour’s true self.

This is a step in the right direction; girlfriend got TOLD last week. Adams verbal slap in the face was, really, just what she needed to wake up to her own narcisism. Hannah’s emotional growth is far from complete, though. Marnie tries to vent to Hannah, but instead of listening, Hannah conceitedly TELLS Marnie that she never wanted her ex-boyfriend. At this point, Adam calls Hannah out on her conceit and expresses his (seemingly sincere) sympathy for Marnie. I like that Adam is unafraid to call Hannah out on her flaws in front of others, especially in the early stages of their relationship, though Adam’s bluntness may eventually become a more problematic aspect of their relationship.

I feel like Adam might just be a manic pixie dream guy with a heroin addict’s temperament, but I might be wrong – the character development of Adam continues to surprise me and I may yet be surprised.

As for Marnie and Jessa… while I enjoyed their storyline, I wish I had seen more of them bonding sans corporate weirdo guy. I would have liked to see their relationship as friends develop though Marnie’s breakup hangover. I have little to say otherwise, apart from the fact that I enjoyed their make-out session on a purely superficial level. I’ll never say no to seeing two gorgeous ladies making out. There is room for development in the bond between Jessa and Marnie and I look forward to it.

Finally, where was Shoshanna? Her character is a hilarious ofset to the the older trio; I enjoy the way her enthusiasm and naivety highlights the fact that, immature though they may seem, the older trio have made strides towards adulthood. That, and Zosia Mamet’s acting never fails to make me laugh.

On that note, I look forward to next week’s Girls. Now, time for Game of Thrones.