Zeitgeisting TV: 'Girls' & 'Looking' - Episodes 3

EDGE editors Jason St. Amand and Robert Nesti comment on this week's episodes of HBO's "Girls" and "Looking"

Girls

Jason St. Amand, National News Editor:

In "Female Author" we see the worst sides of the four ladies. It was a kind of heavy and a blemish of an episode that had some great jokes but was overall depressing.

Everyone is toxic - Hannah, still thinking she's too good for Iowa's writing program, goes to a party with Elija (who is becoming the best part of "Girls"), now an amateur photographer after he perfected taking selfies of himself. Hannah doesn't want to be at said party and would rather be looking at photos at the month when Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close dated. But she's there and she's soured and ready to bring down anyone who crosses her path. And who does she attack? Her classmates. She tells them off one-by-one, cutting them down, especially the program's golden boy's D. August, before rolling off the coach and away from the party. This is one of the best scenes in "Girls" this season. It's perfectly gross Hannah and perfectly gross, self-absorbed Elija.

Meanwhile, back in NYC, Shoshanna aced her first job interview at Ann Taylor Loft, only to turn it down right away - despite her and the interviewer's spiritual connection. Because of her first Real Life Win, she's on top of the world and thinks she can run Marc Jacobs at this point. Then we have Adam and Jessa, who have developed some kind of relationship (though we don't see how) and now Adam finds the time to break from his acting gigs to go to AA meetings with Jessa. But things come crashing down when Jessa pisses on the street and gets arrested, leading Adam to get rough and tough with police, which lands him in the slammer. (Watching this scene felt a little weird because of today's climate but I don't think Lena Dunham had any control over that - just an observation!) Then they have a talk about how Jessa is nuts and she'll never change and Adam won't put up with her BS. But she makes another little speech about how she's lonely and then boom, Adam is under her spell.

Then we have Marnie, who once again proves to be the absolute worst. She's got some success with her singing career: her and Desi have a meeting with a record label but she flips out because Desi isn't being clear with her on what their relationship is. She actually sticks up for herself, after he calls her "Bella" but proves to be one of the grossest characters of "Girls" ever.

Robert Nesti, National Arts and Entertainment Editor:

The episode may have shown the worst side of these women, but it also highlighted how funny it could be. When Hannah told off her smug colleagues, who, need I remind you, reamed her big time last week, she was downright nasty. And that her tirade went off without missing a beat gave me new respect for the character (and Lena Dunham). I mean, wasn't what she said what many of us were thinking of these pampered academics?

And that she did so with such scabrous wit was great. In calling one a rich, whiney white boy with Updike delusions; another a tragically hip gaysian; a third - the wonderful actress Desiree Akhavan - an expert on third world issues; and a fourth, the lauded African-American D. August (Ato Essandoh), a phony about what he's writing about, Hannah drew a line in the sand. In short, she told them that, yes, she's a brash New Yorker; but also has the good sense to write about herself, not some projected self-image that the other writers may have. After her barrage, she snuck off into the night, making me think that it won't be long before Hannah's back in New York.

It was good to see Marnie stand up to Desi; and also good to see how their lame, dated music was satirized. The scene in the office of a record company was quite sharp for not only did it mock their song, but also the sycophantic no-nothings (who have no power anyway) that praised it. That they were dismayed that Marnie and Desi weren't really a couple was also telling. Do they need that back-story to be a success?

Last week I wasn't sure what Jessa's motivations were about not telling Hannah about Adam, but it seemed clear this week that she's out to have a relationship with him. I'm not quite sure what her motivations are. Does she like Adam as a boyfriend? A BFF? Or is she just playing mind games with Hannah. Whatever the reason, it came to a head in a unique way: with the pair getting arrested because Jessa is, essentially, a jerk even when sober. Jessa's derogatory comments about the police were certainly in character. It was that character's low point. Was her calling out to an angry Adam genuine or another manipulative gesture? Time will tell.

Looking

Jason St. Amand, National News Editor:

"Looking Top to Bottom" moved towards "Looking" becoming a soap opera, which I'm not sure how to feel about. Patrick and Kevin spend the day together as Patrick's partner is out of town. They have one of those awesome puppy dog days together but it's marked with the reminder it isn't "real."

But overall I didn't feel like much happened. It was a small progression moving towards the season climax but Dom and Lynn bicker and Augustin and Richie make up and Augustin gets a haircut. Also, the seeds are planted for Augustin and his new bear friend to hook up.

This episode was engaging but it didn't leave me with much.

Robert Nesti, National Arts and Entertainment Editor:

I guess I am more of a fan than you are, but agree this episode wasn't as strong as the first two this season. Does every episode need to be directed by Andrew Haigh and written by Michael Lannon, who created the show? (Haigh directed the first two episodes and wrote the first; Lannon the second.) The answer to that question is no, but this episode lacked the special quality the first two had.

That said, it still has charm, humor and the sense of capturing a gay identity that no other television show has. Sure, it may lack that multi-cultural component that keeps it from scoring points with GLAAD, but it has a quirky genuineness that urban gay men can identify with. And it's funny: the scene when Patrick and Agustin go to the pharmacy was priceless. Plus the actors have such rapport that the subsequent scene, when they take a selfie on Castro Street with Patrick's douche in full view, was spontaneous and real. You believe that they're besties.

Agustin's visit to Richie's shop was a nice touch. I especially like how Agustin is being redefined this season. He was such a jerk last year that he had nowhere to go but up, but thus far he's become a changed man. That he had the sense to visit Richie only adds to his character's makeover; Richie also showed his best side by reaching out to Agustin by trimming his beard.

But it seems apparent that Patrick is going to get his heartbroken by Kevin. Hopefully he's insulating himself from such an outcome. It's funny how this plot meme recalls that of Marnie and Desi on "Girls," though Kevin is far better drawn and likable than Desi. What I like about "Looking" is how much I like all these characters. They're flawed, but funny, appealing and real. Kevin especially. The bit about him needing to get married to stay in the U.S. added a new twist to the plot - do we know if his relationship with Jon is leading in that direction? Or was this dropped in the plot for Patrick's sake? The sex scene was also telling. It was awkward to say the least. Could this be a deal breaker for Kevin. Or will the early morning phone call that Kevin got (from Jon?) be his deal breaker.

The Dom/Lynne story line is the weakest right now, mostly because it just seems to be in repeat mode. Should Dom dump him now? We'll see.

This story is part of our special report: "Zeitgeisting TV". Want to read more? Here's the full list.