Academic Writing

Monday, February 11, 2013

Girls Recap - "One Man's Trash"


I know I haven't mentioned Girls on this blog yet.  But after watching last night's episode, "One Man's Trash" I felt compelled to speak out.  I have watched this show for now a season and a half unsure about how I felt about it.  I have now come to the conclusion that I'm over this show.

Quick recap of the episode:  Grumpy Bushwick resident (Patrick Wilson, character to be named later) comes into Mr. Grumpy's (ironic, huh?) because some scourge of the earth is dumping their trash into his garbage cans.  Ray knows nothing about this and refuses to implicate his staff in such a heinous crime. Unsatisfied with the response, he storms back home.

A few minutes later Hannah shows up at his door to confess to her misdoings.  He offers her lemonade.  She kisses him.  He kisses back and they have sex on his kitchen counter.  And of course Hannah's boobs pop out to say hello.  Oh, and we learn his name is Joshua (not Josh, get it right).  They both call in sick to work the next morning and spend the day lazing about, reading, eating and playing naked ping pong (boobs, boobs and more boobs, of course).  Joshua dotes on her, caresses her lovingly and cares for her like a loving husband or boyfriend would.  Later that night she breaks down emotionally and returns his boyfriend-like behavior with supposed girlfriend-like behavior - needy "love me" and "I deserve to be happy" tears.  Not surprisingly he's not turned on by this literal outcry of emotion from his one-day stand and suddenly the once charming guy becomes a distant stranger to Hannah.

Now here's my analysis:  First of all, I can't stand Hannah (or Lena Dunham's) self aggrandizing and self important nature.  First, put some damn clothes on.  I get it.  We all get it.  You're comfortable with your body, despite its odd disproportionate features.  But I don't need to see it.  Always.  In every episode.  Enough.  Seriously.

Additionally, similar to why I couldn't stand Carrie on Sex and the City, it's really not so pleasant watching someone constantly talk about how great they are or how deserving of a storied life they are.  You also are not so special that you deserve anything different from anyone else.  From the first episode Hannah was a brat.  Getting all pissed off at your parents because at 23 they aren't going to completely pay your way anymore is something that is supposed to happen.  (For more on people taking credit on things you're supposed to do, see Chris Rock at the 2:12 mark.)  I get it, young women make bad decisions when it comes to men.  That's true.  Getting attached to guys your not supposed to get attached to also often happens.  But her little pity party for herself when she realizes that she's not above being human was infuriating.

Hannah is 24.  Joshua is 42.  They are totally wrong for each other in so many ways - she tells him she didn't even know that houses like his - opulent and grand - existed in her neighborhood.  He is a successful doctor coping with a divorce.  She is a needy millennial who is convinced she is going to be the definitive voice of her generation.  I am smack in the middle of these two generations, so maybe that's why I don't get it.  I've had to (and am still) struggling to get my career off the ground.  I've had to work hard to get to where I am and seeing some kid complain that at her age she isn't as successful as her pipe dreams had assured her they will be makes me feel like this:
















Also, not to mention that Lena Dunham is the successful version of Hannah, so watching her play this pathetic, self-important, immature character is all the more frustrating.

That is all for now.  Comments.  Agreements. Disagreements. All are welcome.


2 comments:

Dena Lunham said...

i thought this was a pretty accurate recap of the episode and the backlash.

http://jezebel.com/5983437/what-kind-of-guy-does-a-girl-who-looks-like-lena-dunham-deserve?utm_campaign=socialflow_jezebel_facebook&utm_source=jezebel_facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Mark Kanter said...

I have never watched a show where there are no redeeming characters. I just don't like the show.