Most often on the internet and in print, TV shows are evaluated episode to episode, and if done on Twitter, minute to minute. Typically a writer is assigned to a particular show because of his or her background - maybe a distinct knowledge that would help in evaluating the program, such as having read the source material (good for a show like Game of Thrones), or because they have worked on writing a high-minded concept show (which should be required to evaluate Community). Conveniently, we have no background in evaluating a show like GIRLS (the show’s caps lock button appears broken, so ours will break for unity’s sake) unless you count growing up in Manhattan and New Jersey (i.e. near brooklyn) and the fact that half of the analysis comes from a GIRL. This will not stop us from analyzing, don't worry.
So why is GIRLS special? Because it’s hard to figure out and nobody has really decided what they think of it. And we’re not the only ones trying to figure it out - every person with a tumblr account or a bookmark to Gawker is doing it. We began watching independently of each other, but are both so fascinated by its absurdities and character choices that it has now become a weekly must-talk-about TV show.
It all began with a simple statement after episode 2 had aired: “I watched one episode of Girls and hated it, and also am trying to figure out how anyone not from New York or a suburb of New York will relate to it at all.” With that delightful evaluation of the Pilot episode, we headed down the rabbit hole.
We are reprinting roughly verbatim emails.. so don’t judge our grammar, sentence structure... just don’t judge us. There will be spoilers if you haven't seen the show, stray observations, and most likely some crass jokes as well. At least we’ve never said “SRY” in a text message.
Episodes 1 and 2:
MATT: I've watched the first and half of the second episode of Girls and am pleased but apprehensive about the show. I appreciate that it tries to have a more our age group voice and that the type of humor it goes for isn't 30 Rock or something totally derivative, but that being said I don't find it remarkably funny. It has its idealist characters who, while being "relatable" to girls presumably, to a guy like me are slightly disappointing. There are 1.5 - 3 million people in brooklyn alone or something, if you don't want to have anal sex with a dude that looks like a gorilla and doesn’t respond to texts then don’t. Also that other girl who hates her boyfriend is funny, I like her. Particularly when she says "f@*k me" while he says "make love". I also enjoy the jokes that blogs have made about her boyfriend having a vagina, etc. It's a solid, strong backlash to a guy trying to be the perfect boyfriend and getting screwed over for it. I dislike Jessa as a character, though of course we ALL have that friend who roams around Europe and ends up thinking she might need an abortion right? I mean, it’s so common it felt like Lena Dunham was speaking to me specifically. Also, sidebar, I loathe Mamet's character, but not enough yet to hate her forever because i love Mamet on Mad Men, and she just looks interesting as a human being in general. So I will give her the benefit of the doubt and hope she stops being a blonde bimbo in what I consider a brunette hipster indie rock body.
CAROLANNE: I do like Girls as a more realistic portrayal of our generation.. but I don't find it that funny either. The only characters I like are opium Ray and sort of the best friend who hates her boyfriend, but she annoys me sometimes. Also, I don't know how realistic it actually is.. I definitely have friends like the characters, who are living in New York even though they don't reeaaally have jobs. I also clearly understand the issue of going to a good school and being told to "follow your passions" when really that usually means choosing between what you want to do and making money (said the English major consultant). BUT, they are entitled in a way even I can't relate to, knowing people like them and being from a NY suburb.. so I don't know how most other people would be able to relate at all. Apparently Lena Dunham's original movie was better - Tiny Furniture. Have you seen it? It's on Netflix so I may check it out. Also.. I actually can relate to the bimbo friend who roams Europe. She may or may not be my cousin..
CAROLANNE: Also I have a new theory about Girls and the scene with Lena Dunham thinking she has AIDS and the racially ambiguous symbol of "woman" (the doctor) giving her the smackdown on real problems, and then her still being unable to think about it outside of her skewed view and experience of the world.
Carolanne Fried is a first time writer for the blog and a GIRL. Matt Brickell is not a GIRL.
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