Commentary on "Girls"

For any “Girls” fan, Jan. 13 was an exciting night. Shortly after HBO’s “Girls” season two premiere aired, the writer/creator/director/star of the show, Lena Dunham, won the Golden Globe for best comedy actress and the show won for best comedy, signed to HBO for a third season. The season two premiere began with a familiar shot of two people intertwined in bed. But instead of revealing Marnie and Hannah as in last season’s premiere, it was Hannah and her gay ex-boyfriend, now roommate Elijah.

This first scene explores how Hannah’s codependency has not dwindled and her use of recycled relationships may not be as healthy as she expects. The episode immediately propels audiences into the new situations and dynamics of Hannah, Marnie, Shoshana, Jessa and their surrounding friendships. Hannah seems to actually be “almost getting it together, kind of,” whereas her once put-together best friend Marnie is watching her life destabilize.

As always, there is at least one uncomfortable sex scene, and the first episode provided one of the most intriguing scenes so far. The scene makes this episode arguably the most traditionally “sexy” Girls filmed even though it was between Marnie, a beautiful straight girl and Elijah, a classically handsome gay man. This scene provides another layer of social commentary on sex culture. The introduction of Donald Glover’s character, Sandy, addresses race issues that Girls was criticized for last season. In the second episode, Hannah tells Sandy that she hadn’t thought about the fact that he was black. Though audiences laugh at the line and its obvious falsity, it brings up the serious issue of racism in a way many television shows strive to ignore.
 
“Girls” is an insight into a microcosm: the subculture of privileged white 20-something-year-olds. Hannah represents many people of our generation as she attempts to demolish racism by acting “colorblind.” Yet being “colorblind” isn’t affective, and Girls isn’t afraid to bring that to our attention.

Race is a new topic for Girls to delve into in season two, but the other topics of sex, love and friendships as viewed by these characters – mirroring the similar thoughts and feelings of other people of this generation – are still as prevalent. Even if the topics don’t feel as relevant to you, watching the show to hear clips of amazing new music, i.e. Solange Knowles’ “Losing You” being played in the background of Hannah and Elijah’s party or just for the witty dialogue, “Girls” Season 2 is definitely one to put on your watch-list.