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Let’s just get it out of the way: yes, HBO’s GIRLS is really over-hyped, and perhaps writer/creator Lena Dunham gets more credit for the show’s “cultural relevance” (or lack thereof) than is deserved. Controversy, schmontroversy. This, however, does not mean we aren't excited for season 2. Despite the overabundance of media buzz and self-righteous criticisms, GIRLS is a clever, well-written, admittedly addictive show. Here’s why.
1. Love it or hate it, GIRLS has a rad soundtrack. In between scenes of existentially conflicted twenty-something slice-of-life drama, season 1 cleansed our palates with Fleet Foxes, The Vaccines, Lia Ices, Robyn, and a Santigold track eponymous with the show’s monosyllabic title. Each song was right on the pulse of what the characters’ real life, post-collegiate, Brooklyn-dwelling counterparts are into. Here’s hoping season 2 delivers an equally smartly curated playlist.
2. Donald Glover will be making a (reportedly sexy) cameo this season. Glover is best known for his portayal in NBC’s Community as Troy, the former high school football quarterback/confused Jehovah’s Witness/plumbing savant/one half of television’s favourite nerdy bromance. He is also known as rapper Childish Gambino.
3. Creator/executive producer/writer/star Lena Dunham often likes to bare all on-screen (read: take her top off and engage in awkward simulated sex). Some might say this is good for women’s body image or for the representation of non-skinny women in the media or something like that, while others would say it’s just the right level of cringey to still be entertaining. (Personally, I tend to side with the latter.)
4. Jemima Kirke is gorgeous and is a rare gem of a non-actress. Kirke plays Jessa, a pretentious bohemian with an English accent and one of the core five characters on the show. Jessa is bound for some more interesting misadventures in the aftermath of her surprise wedding (held during a warehouse rave in Bushwick) to an insecure dude who reeks of Wall Street, hilariously portrayed by silly yet adorable Irishman Chris O’Dowd.
GIRLS | Sunday, January 13 at 9 p.m. on HBO Canada | hbocanada.com
