Girl on "Girls"

Courtesy of HBO: l-r. Marnie (Allison Williams), Hannah (Lena Dunham), Jessa (Jemima Kirke), and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet)


 

Now that HBO's Girls is half way through its first season, my initial reaction to hate, loathe, and detest Lena Dunham's creation has somewhat passed. My criticism followed the numerous blogs and critical reviews of the lack of diversity, the characters as not relatable, and it's portrayal of 20-something's in New York City as lazy and unmotivated as insulting and inaccurate. However, after several views, Dunham's show seems to portray more than that, but I still have my issues.  Hannah, (Lena Dunham) the aspiring, yet lazy writer who lacks confidence in herself both professionally and personally, Marnie, (Allison Williams) the beautiful girl with the perfect boyfriend whom remains unfulfilled and wishy-washy about her relationship, Jessa (Jemima Kirke) the girl who is the epitome of a free-spirit, and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) the girl who attempts to navigate through her virginal neuroses.    
 

The show hit its peak for me at episode 4, "Hannah's Diary," with the jaw dropping, scene with Marnie, Hannah, and Charlie (Christopher Abbot). I mean who hasn’t had those, my best friend hates my honesty (albeit diary read out loud by her boyfriend in a public place) moments?  Coupled with that latter scene, was an earlier one of Shoshanna, being rejected in bed because she’s a virgin. Ouch.  Dunham managed to capture the fear of attachment by female virgins to males without being too judgmental. Check one for realism.
 

Now for the diversity issue. Since the show’s premiere, there has been a question of the lack of a multiracial cast.  I admit that was my initial frustration with “Girls” being lauded as the voice of a generation, but representing a specific racial demographic.  However, people arguably never question the greats like Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, or Woody Allen on their casting or story choices and for years their movies have been about one particular group.  But, it does not mean that we can’t express our frustration with HBO.  Something I’ll post on later, but I digress.  Though “Girls” is not my favorite show that HBO ripped off the air, “How To Make It In America,” I do hope that Dunham continues to capture the 20-something in New York trying to make it.  Yes, we do get a bit lazy, but I like to believe there is some fight in us.  Though this “girl” cannot necessarily relate to “Girls,” perhaps I won’t completely hate it.