A Recap: Season 2 of GIRLS

This past Sunday, the season finale of the second season of GIRLS aired. It’s hard to believe, considering I remember watching the first season clear as day, and we now have 20 episodes of the show to discuss, praise, and tear apart.
To say the season has been a roller coaster would be an understatement…I think this season really lost a lot of fans. I’ve stayed with the show, and I’m glad I did, but I definitely had moments of doubt. Even though I heard a lot more complaints than raves, I think the show, whether the episode is good, bad, believable or not, I know people are still watching. I don’t know if it’s because they hope the show will get better (which I was doing) or just to “hate-watch” but whatever.

I thought I’d look back at some of my favorite moments from this season…

In the first episode of season 2, Hannah and her new roomie Elijah hold a party. I loved seeing Hannah in her cute dress, all excited about throwing her first soiree. More importantly, I loved Shoshanna’s spacy, post-virginity loss behavior…the strange mini hat, the air DJing, and, of course, the Karaoke version of “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston…amazing.

I know I wasn’t the only one excited about Booth and Marnie’s hookup…especially after the huge tease from season 1.
I was a bit disappointed with the payoff, but I was still very happy that it happened.

Also in episode 3, Hannah and Elijah do a whole lotta coke. I don’t condone drug use (and cocaine happens to be my “scary drug”), but watching them lip sing to “I Love It” by Icona Pop was the most fun I had all season.

Episode 4 was classic GIRLS. After episodes that felt very Hannah/Marnie-centric, we got to look into the lives of Shoshanna (and her relationship with Ray) and Jessa (and her flailing marriage with Thomas John). We found out that Charlie still very much cares for Marnie (yay! except for she’s not having it), Ray has been living with Shoshanna without her even realizing it but it’s okay because she loves him and vice versa, and Jessa meets Thomas John’s parents, acts like her crazy self, they get into a massive fight, and that’s basically the end of that.

It also led to this awesome moment of Hannah singing “Wonderwall” in the bathtub, Jessa sneaking up on her, getting in the tub, and crying.
Beautiful, upsetting, funny…all the things I love about this show.

Episode 5, One Man’s Trash, was probably my least favorite. I don’t have any favorite moments…it was an unbelievable episode for me. And not because, like some people, Patrick Wilson wouldn’t wanna be with someone like Lena Dunham…bullshit. It was because it’s very rare that a random girl would meet a random guy and spend two whole nights with him…or maybe that’s just not something that’s ever happened to me or anyone I know or anyone they know pretty much ever.

Episode 6 held a lot of big moments for Hannah and Marnie. Hannah was presented with the opportunity to write and e-book and is thrilled, but mostly anxious. Marnie thinks she’s living the good life with the famous Booth Jonathan. Both realize they are in way over their heads and have one of the most heart-breaking conversations at the end, in which they both lie about their lives, proving that friends usually have a competition of who is happier or more successful.

In 7, we got to meet Jessa’s father. Jessa, who is ever the carefree spirit, is finally unable to be careless. She is feeling the ache of never being properly raised and of her inability to make good choices and keep in one place. It was the most honest we’ve ever seen her, which was beautiful. It is also when she chose to run away again, leaving a gaping hole in her wake for Hannah.

In 8, we learn about Hannah’s past with OCD as it has come back. That might have been the most important part of the episode, but it was Adam’s confession at an AA meeting that took my breath away. Adam Driver has continued to prove himself an amazing actor throughout the 20 episodes of this show (though he wasn’t on every single one). This in particular blew me away. He finally speaks up about his feelings towards Hannah and their break up…not that anyone in the room particularly cared…but the audience sure did.

9…Hannah has officially lost her mind. She injures herself with a Q-Tip, puncturing her eardrum and ending up in the ER. As she wanders the streets of New York in an oversized tee and not much else, she sees Adam, who looks clean and put together as he enjoys a night out with his beautiful new girlfriend. This is the first time they’ve seen each other since episode 2…when he was escorted out of her building by cops. It is awkward and endearing all at once.

AND FINALLY…

Charlie and Marnie!!! Yay, please work. But more importantly…

Hannah cries for help in a big way by chopping off her hair in a very unattractive bob and calls Adam in a moment of weakness. Through Facetime, he sees how low she is and runs from his place to her place, breaks down the door, and embraces her in a beautiful and happy ending that couldn’t have made me love this show anymore.

In Their Defense…

Is it just me, or does everyone get a little defensive when something they enjoy gets criticized? My sister makes fun of me and calls me the
PR person of whatever I love at the moment that people seem to dislike. But that’s the case with everything. You like something or you don’t. Simple as that. It’s just funny, though, that some recent things I enjoy have had strong opinions in both directions.

I thought I’d share my feelings about these things I adore, and why I think they deserve a little love.

Lana Del Rey

I fell in love with Lana Del Rey’s two blog-hyped songs (Video Games and Blue Jeans) at the beginning of the year, thanks to my sister. I loved the beautiful music and the interesting, funky lyrics. The songs were intoxicating, and they quickly got stuck in my head. I couldn’t wait for her full length album to come out. But then, she appeared on Saturday Night Live and, much to the dismay of this fan, basically got dumped on for her weak performance and awkward stage presence. Add her previous failed attempt at becoming a recording artist (look up Lizzie Grant) and her fast breakthrough into mainstream, and people were hating her all over the place.

I love her voice and I adore the album. I can sing all the lyrics to the songs because I’ve listened to them so much.
And I admit it, they aren’t the best, smartest, or most original lyrics. A lot of the music is the same thing over and over.
But she has a style and she goes with it. It’s a little cheesy and tacky at times, but she owns it.
And whatever happened before doesn’t matter to me. There are very many celebrities who do not use their real name, who have had failed record label attempts and came back with a new style that worked for that time(coughKATY PERRYcough, who went from Christian music to whipped cream bras). There’s music for all ears. But perhaps the drama is what makes her that much more appealing?
I stand by her.

Girls

I knew I was going to love HBO’s show Girls before I even saw the first episode. I follow creator/writer/director/actress Lena Dunham on Twitter and I think she is one of the funniest, most relatable women (girls?) on the planet. I saw her movie Tiny Furniture and fell even more in love.We are only 4 episodes into the show, but I’m in for the long haul. It’s just what the doctor ordered for someone like me.
Unfortunately, the show is catching a lot of flack for it’s lack of racial diversity and for the fact that every actress on the show has a parent who is famous for something in the artsy/TV/movie world. I refuse to get mad about the “nepotism” that everyone is freaking out about. That is how the world works. In any business, it’s about the people you know, whether you want to act and direct or be a lawyer or doctor. If you wanted to get into show business, and you had an in, wouldn’t you use it?

Regardless, the show is so funny and honest and well-written. It is what it is.
When I’m watching it, I’m not thinking about the parents of the actresses.
I’m engaging in the story, laughing at the embarrassing things these ladies (and, in actuality, we) do.
As for racial diversity, this will always be an issue and people will always be unsatisfied. It’s an unfortunate truth.

Fifty Shades of Grey

It’s the issue of Entertainment Weekly you see above that led me to read the entire Fifty Shades trilogy. I suppose if I didn’t like it, I could’ve stopped after the first book or even the first few chapters. But I didn’t. I got sucked in. I ignored the not-so-great, repetitive writing style that sometimes made me cringe for the racy scenes that made reading all of the books so damn worth it.

This was my first “erotic” book, and it will probably be my last. It was silly at times, but titillating all the same.
But of course, we have the lovers and the haters.

It doesn’t help that the book spurred off from Twilight fan fiction (yes, I like Twilight), which already faces tons of criticism. But add in the lacking writing style and the sadomasochistic sex and you have yourself a nice little controversy in your hand.
People have issues that it is a NY Times Bestseller. Guess what? Just like a crappy movie makes it to the top of the box office, so will a book.
And here’s the scoop: There aren’t many women who are going to go ahead and order porn and toys and stuff. For the ladies, sexuality is as much mental and emotional as it is physical. This book does a good job of stirring the senses. So, it might not be worthy of the Pulitzer, but it’s a fun, easy, fluffy, sexy read perfect for bedtime or beach time.

Girl Crush: Emma Stone

Pretty sure I’ve gushed about Emma Stone in the past. But she’s so fantastic, I had to have another go at it. Emma Stone just seems cool. Funny, smart, down to earth…all of this seems true for her. That personality is super important. But I’m not gonna lie…she’s ridiculously gorgeous! And what’s more, she can rock pretty much every hair color, something I am incredibly jealous of.

Emma Stone is currently in a platinum blonde phase (because of this), and I LOVE it. She looks feminine and womanly, a bit more mature, yet fun and sexy! But she looks fantastic with any look, and I’m so excited to see how her career goes. I hope she’s around for a long time.

(Images from WeHeartIt and Emma-Stone.Org)

Carey-d Away (haha)

I was blown away by Carey Mulligan’s photoshoot in October’s issue of Vogue.

She’s still pretty new on the scene, but so far, I really like her. Never Let Me Go seems heartbreaking and intriguing, and I’ve heard a lot of good reviews.

But mostly, I adore her pixie cut. She’s had it brown, red, blonde. It suits her perfectly. And I always get jealous of short hair…I miss mine sometimes…

Oh, and she dates Shia LeBeouf?!

Just another to add to the list.

As an avid fan of True Blood, I watch Anna Paquin on a weekly basis (and sometimes, as with most of the cast, I see a bit much of her). When I first got into the show, I didn’t like her blonde hair. Actually, I didn’t really like her. But I think it just took some getting used to. She rules as Sookie Stackhouse. I can’t imagine anyone else doing it better. And these pictures below are pretty fabulous.

If I were to be lucky enough to become a photographer (if I ever get remotely competent), I would love to do fashion photography. Maybe I should look into this, study it or something. I just love the colors, the contrasts, and the way she makes some simple grocery store aisles look super hot.

And now I think I prefer her with that bombshell blonde hair.

{Photos from Paquin Anna.Com, shot by Frederic Pinet}

 

I hate to admit it…

but I think I’m really starting to like Kristen Stewart. When the whole Twilight phenomena started, she really seemed to be unappreciative of her sudden fame. Luckily, it seems like she’s eased up. She should definitely be thankful…I think her career is opening up more, and she can do big and small films pretty easily. Mostly I’m obsessed with her hair. I hope to do something like this one day.

But I’m starting to get used to her awkward and uncomfortable interviews and red carpet walks. At least it seems real. And I like when celebrities don’t seem to change because they are more well known. They are still humans, even if everyone on the planet knows who they are.

And she’s definitely not Miley Cyrus. Have you heard about her quote in Teen Vogue? When asked about her boyfriend:
"I think we're both deeper than normal people -- what they think and how they feel. He's very grateful for what he has, but he doesn't let it go to his head. I'm like that too.” I don’t even think I need to go into why that’s wrong.

I’ll just end on that note. 

Double Damn.

A while ago, I posted some photos from the Rolling Stone issue featuring the ladies of Gossip Girl on the cover. I still love those pictures. But I recently stumbled onto a few more photos totally post-worthy from the shoot.

I’ve only watched the first season, but I loved every ooey gooey cheesy moment it had to offer. I was a fan of the books, so some of it upsets me (in order to make it a watchable show, a lot had to be changed). But I will be watching the second season, whenever they release it on DVD! 

And how can you not, with a cast this hot (specifically Leighton Meester and Ed Westwick)?!

Damn.

I am by all means a straight young woman.
However, I am very susceptible to the girl crush.
I can appreciate a woman's beauty. Perhaps its because you are always scoping out the competition. But yes, I check out a girl and I can admit when they are hot, cute, beautiful...whatever.
Well...I just saw this on Perez. And it's hot.