Last night (Jan. 11) every female in America was doing either one of two things or maybe even both: obsessing over Lorde’s unexpectedly chic get up at the Golden Globes or counting down the seconds until the season 4 premiere of Girls. I can attest to both, but I must say I was beyond ecstatic to reunite with Hannah Horvath, Marnie Michaels, Jessa Johansson, and Shoshanna Shapiro.
I started “binge” watching Girls back in 2013. I remember it vividly. It was winter break of my junior year of undergrad and I wanted nothing more than to be in the comfort of my own company sprawled out on the couch eating ice cream and potato chips – sounds like a horrid combination but at the time it satisfied my raging cravings for junk food. Aimlessly scrolling through my TV guide I stumbled across the greatness that was Lena Dunham’s claim to fame, before the internet was flooded with dialogue about the phenomenal comedy-drama.
I ever so vaguely recall my Media Ethics professor professing her love for the off kilter and coming of age adventure of twenty-somethings in New York City that semester so I figured it was worth at least one watch. After all, it had always been my dream to move to New York and become a writer so I figured twenty-something girls + NYC equaled a new obsession for me. I was right and one episode turned into ten. I sat in the same position on the couch for nearly five hours binge watching season 1. The dialogue of the pilot was dead on to the life I was living and the life that awaited me in nearly a year as I had hopes making the concrete jungle my new home upon graduating. I watched intently as Hannah’s parent’s broke the news to her that after nearly two years post undergrad they would no longer be funding her “groovy lifestyle” as an aspiring writer with a non-paid internship. “This is nuts. I could be a drug addict. Do you know how lucky you are?” Hannah responded as she realized she had to finally grow up and grab life by the balls, for real now.
Never had I ever connected so strongly with such a show. While Sex & The City glamourized the New York City lifestyle, Girls introduced me to the real New York a.k.a “New York Shitty”, yes I said shitty. Shitty, meaning the mishaps and frustrations I’d be greeted with in the so-called greatest city in the world that they don’t show you in the fanciful world of movies or TV shows. I mean, every female swears by Sex & The City (I still do), but let’s face it I’m not in my mid thirties, not able to afford endless pairs of Manolo’s on my struggling writer’s salary, and I still have yet to find my Mr. Big and honestly at 23 years old I’m more into casually dating anyway. Now, I can say I can relate to Girls‘ tumultuous synopsis. From partying at trippy underground raves to smoking pot with your boss things get a crazy in Lena Dunham’s world. And that isn’t even the half of the craziness that Dunham delivers in season one, try watching both season two and three where the foursome endure a wild night in Bushwick after accidentally smoking crack and Hannah finds out that her ex-boyfriend from liberal arts college is now gay and gave her HPV.
With all that being said after three years and Golden Globe, Primetime Emmy, and Directors Guild of America awards it’s safe to say that Lena Dunham is the voice of our generation. Dunham assures us generation ‘Y’ millennials that while trying to figure out ourselves, life, and the people we encounter in our everyday lives, it’s okay to not have all the answers.
Vixens, if you’re still not moved by my out-pour continue clicking and check out 5 reasons you should start watching Girls (if you haven’t already).
Photo Credit(s): HBO, YouTube
1. It’s the new age Sex & The City.
SATC catered more-so to women, and well Girls is for girls. Every crazy experience you’ve had in life Lena Dunham covers it and then some in this breakout comedy-drama packed with tons of sex, laughter, and tears.
2. Everyone can relate, literally.
Hannah Horvath, Marnie Michaels, Jessa Johansson, or Shoshanna Shapiro, take your choice. Each of these characters are totally different but they mesh well just like your unique clique of gal pals. Whether you’re the wandering hipster, cynical virgin, narcissistic yet self-deprecating writer, or good girl gone bad you can relate to one of the four girls.
3. The content is so real it’s unbelievable.
Have you been able to relate to something that it’s scary? Welcome to the wonderful world of Girls, ladies and gents. I’m pretty sure these seasons were built upon the foundation of Lena Dunham’s crazy journey to self discovery.
4. If you have an HBO subscription you can watch all seasons.
Even though season 4 has begun you can still experience Girls from the beginning. No band wagon remorse here. Thanks to HBO you can watch the magic unfold from the pilot.
5. Lena Dunham is the voice of a new generation.
Honesty is key and Lena Dunham has mastered it. And if you’re thinking it, she’s squabbled it in a notebook for her notes for the next episode. The creator, writer and star of the HBO series Girls is one of the brightest millenials under 30 we’ve witnessed in years.