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Renewed or Canceled: What's the Fate of Your Favorite Show?

March 3, 2015, 9:42 pm
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It's that time of the year again.

The time where television viewers around the nation wonder whether they'll be saying farewell to their favorite dramas or comedies for good come spring...

... or whether they'll be welcoming them back with open, excited arms in a few months.

From now until the network Upfronts in May, we'll be keeping you apprised of the fates of ... well... pretty much every single show on TV, as the following photo gallery will accompany an endless number of renewal and cancelation articles.

The statuses of these shows will be updated on a continual basis, but you can click around above and get an idea of where your most DVR-worthy programs stand.

Have they already received the axe? Have executives already passed along the news you've been dying to hear?

Find out now. Complain or cheer later.

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Girls Season 5: Premiere Date Announced!

November 2, 2015, 1:02 pm
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Alright Girls fans! Mark your calendars for February 21, because that's the date your favorite foursome will be back!

While the teaser gives no information about what to expect of Girls Season 5, Lena Dunam's Hanna is dancing like no one is watching, well, except her mother, who is right by her side. 

There is no sign of the other girls, but that's a pretty similar scenario to Girls Season 4, in which there were very few episodes featuring all of the girls in any one place at one time. They're growing up and maturing, the time for hanging in a foursome, let alone with all of their boyfriends, is pretty much over.

At the end of last season, Hannah was working as a teacher and dating fellow teacher, Fran. Adam had broken up with Mimi-Rose and wanted Hannah back, but she stood firm and chose the man who wanted her for her. It was a pretty big moment.

Shoshanna had a decision to make – move in with her boyfriend, Scott, or take a job in Japan. She did the latter. Whether she's still there at the beginning of the new season remains to be seen.

Jessa played midwife with Caroline's baby (who was subsequently named Jessa-Hannah...) and decided she wanted to become a therapist. She has goals, you guys!

And Marnie? Well, she's still in a bit of turmoil over Desi, but as he's not in as much turmoil over her, perhaps she'll see the writing on the wall when it comes to Ray, and they'll discover that there is more to them than just friends.

Whatever the fifth season brings, we can be sure it will be funny, enlightening and heartbreaking, probably a little of each at the same time.

Be sure to tune into HBO on Sunday, February 21 at 10/9c for the premiere!

Girls season 5 teaser
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Girls Season 5 Trailer: A Wedding and Other Insanity

December 2, 2015, 12:53 pm
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The official trailer for Girls Season 5 is pretty much everything we want it to be.

It's borderline insane, just like the makeup Marnie is sporting for her wedding to Desi.

WHAT?!

Oh come on! Nothing about this is going to spell happy ending, especially when it starts with Marnie choosing the wrong guy. Amiright???

Add to that her peasant/baby doll dress and Egyptian style makeup (I don't know...you call it) which can be toned down if she starts, you know, around the face (oh Hannah, we love you). 

Is Hannah wearing what is supposed to be a bridesmaids dress? Isn't the bride supposed to be the most beautiful girl in the room? Half naked gals standing by your side is going to overshadow you, Marnie, no matter who they are.

We have wondered if Season 5 would start with Sosh in Japan, and first we see her skyping and walking around the streets of her new country and then, when she's back with her gal pals, she has a wicked new Asian-style hairdo.

Hannah has kept her man and seems so much like a grown woman now it kind of brings a tear to our eyes.

But that doesn't mean she's still not above suffering gay emergencies with her gay dad.

Will Marnie realize Ray's the guy for her before it's too late? Will Sosh move back to the US? Will Hannah stay happy in love?

Find out everything when Girls premieres Sunday, February 21 only on HBO!

Girls season 5 trailer a wedding and other insanity
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Girls to End its Run on HBO After Six Seasons

January 5, 2016, 3:36 pm
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You guys! Girls Season 5 hasn't even aired yet, and word is it will be the penultimate season!

Admittedly, that gives us a lot of time to watch our gal pals get some things right before we have to say goodbye.

Hannah's Maturity - Girls

As first reported to E!, Lena Dunham has definitely set an endpoint for the series and is ready to let go of her ladies after a sixth season. The fifth season will begin airing in February.

In September of last year, Dunham explained her thought process, that Girls began when she was 23 and as she was soon to be 30, it felt appropriate to let go of this chapter of her life and go off into the world. 

As far as our Girls go, they have two more seasons to make peace with their world and make us viewers satisfied they're going to be alright when we let them go. After all, it's all about us, right?

So far, we know Hannah is relatively happy in her Season 5 relationship, while Shoshanna is still living in Japan, and Marnie is marrying (most likely) the wrong man. There's time for everyone to mess up and get it right a few more times each. Jessa, Adam, Ray, Elijah and more all have stakes in the game!

Will you be sad to see Girls call it an end? 

Girls returns to HBO on Sunday, February 21.

View Slideshow: 33 Shows You Better Not Miss in 2016
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Girls Season 5 Promo: Older, Not Much Wiser

January 21, 2016, 5:00 am
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The more things change, the more things stay the same...

That's not the tagline for Girls Season 5, but based on the newly-released promo, it might as well be.

Our Girls have come pretty far over the past five years.

By the end of Girls Season 4, Marnie was set to marry Desi, Hannah had (finally) moved on from Adam and entered a new relationship. 

Shosh made the huge decision to pack up and move to Japan, and Jessa... well, Jessa decided to keep on being her devil-may-care, laissez-faire self.

The finale seemed to indicate a big step forward for the friends, but based on this new promo, the so-called grown-up decisions they made may not exactly stick.

In a whopping 50 seconds, this promo manages to upend all the progress it seemed Hannah, at least, had made.

Ray and our #1 fave Elijah help our girl out with some kind of impromptu boudoir photo shoot customized to our heroine's "non-traditional body type." 

Jessa, being the blunt Jessa that we know and (sometimes kinda sorta) love, cautions Hannah about waking up one day and realizing she's wasted her life.

In the same vein, Marnie flat out tells Hannah that relationships take work and issues a warning about what happens to people (*cough* Hannah *cough*) who don't work on staying together.

Yeesh! But not all's bad in Girls-land. There's laughing, there's dancing, there's sexy nurse outfits. 

Shosh is still apparently having a grand ol' time in Japan, wondering if she dreamt up the country in her own mind, and gleefully whipping bound people with a feather.

Living the dream, I guess? (Seriously, WHAT is Shosh's job in Japan and just how sex-worker-y is it?)

Plus, we get the briefest glimpse of Adam (yay!) and Elijah – with what appears to be a potential new boyfriend (double yay!!).

Girls premieres Sunday, February 21st on HBO. Be there or be Cher!

Girls season 5 promo older not much wiser
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Girls Season 5 Premiere Review: Wedding Day

February 24, 2016, 11:09 am
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The girls (and boys) are back with a fabulous bottle episode that throws us right back into the action with the arrival of Marnie's wedding day.

Girls Season 5 Episode 1 employs all of its best assets to fantastic effect straight away. The show, at this point, knows exactly where its strengths are and plays to them expertly.

There have been several "the girls get out of New York" installments over the past several seasons, and they have stood out as some of the best. "Wedding Day" falls into that same category, and is also a very strong episode.

An Unhappy Affair - Girls

The set-up is simple: after an undisclosed time jump, high-strung Marnie is marrying grating man-child hipster Desi. The Girls Season 4 Finale left off with a six-month time jump following the birth of Adam's sister Caroline's baby and Hannah refusing Adam's attempt at reconciling.

That six-month time jump got us into winter, so Marnie's summer wedding is likely taking place another 4-6 months after that finale jump. This means Hannah's made it work with adorable Fran for a good chunk of time. Yay, Hannah!

Fran is not nearly as dynamic or multi-faceted a character as Adam or Ray, but he is the perfect character (and perfect boyfriend) for Hannah at this point. Hannah, now a teacher, is making an attempt to settle down and be a grown-up (despite her decidedly immature instincts).

Throughout "Wedding Day," Fran just kind of bops around from place to place, being unobtrusive but trying his best to be kind and helpful (he goes wherever Hannah tells him to without question, he offers to leave the boys' room if Adam is uncomfortable, he tries to comfort distraught Ray).

It's telling when self-involved, faux-hippie Desi fails to recognize Fran during his impassioned thank-you speech to all of the males in attendance. 

Thank you for being here, it means so much to me. Wolfy, my old dear friend, my bald eagle, looking out for me from on high. Adam, man, my comrade in arts, my comrade in arms, Mr. Rabbit. Elijah, the lion, a comic persona as skilled and radical as Lucille Ball. I mean that. Ray... When Marnie told me that you should be here, I though it was a mistake, you know, and maybe it still will be a mistake. But right now I feel like I'm happy that you're here. Thank you for being here.

Desi

Much as Desi is a despicable character and I loathe him, this speech is hilarious.

There's just so much to unpack. Why does Desi refer to Adam as "Mr. Rabbit"? How adorable is it when Desi knows the perfect compliment to bestow on Elijah, and Elijah beams at his comedic persona being compared to Lucille Ball's?

Elijah, as always, is a gem. For me, he is by far the most consistently enjoyable character on the show and he should always be featured more. The fact that he is part of the wedding party is a little bit baffling but it gives me hope that we'll get more focus on him, as an individual character, in Girls Season 5.

Yeah, I thought meditation was just naps, but it's like a whole thing.

Elijah

Was anyone shocked to find out that Desi had been engaged a whopping SEVEN times before Marnie? And even more horrifically, that the ring he gave to Marnie was intended for Clementine? Not really. But still... Yikes.

"Wedding Day" ends without us seeing the actual walk down the aisle and exchange of vows (which was a brilliant choice, and fantastically underlines that the marriage is not actually all that important in the scheme of things).

Actually, there's no confirmation that they went through with the marriage, is there? I don't see Marnie pulling a runaway bride, but I wouldn't put it past fickle Desi to have yet another sudden change of heart, inspired by a daffodil blowing by in the breeze or something equally nonsensical.

Poor Ray. I still don't buy the fact that Marnie is the love of his life, but Alex Karpovsky sells Ray's heartbreak and conviction extremely well. It is clear that Ray truly believes Marnie is the one, and the pain all over his face is palpable when he confides as much to Fran.

Ray's sojourn into the pond to calm a hysterical Desi is a gorgeously filmed scene. Lena Dunham has blossomed into a gifted director, and visually, "Wedding Day" really demonstrated that.

The actual content of the scene just underscores what a sad sack Ray is. By giving self-involved Desi that speech about sacrifice and destiny, he was clearly trying to imply that Desi should let Marnie go to find her true destiny (with Ray, ostensibly, someone who actually loves her).

Desi being Desi makes it all about him, essentially interpreting Ray's speech as Desi being Marnie's destiny – and who is he (Desi) to deprive Marnie of her destiny?! The whole thing was groan-inducing and so perfectly Desi.

Marnie, elsewhere, deals with cold feet of her own, albeit in a more roundabout way. Allison Williams is perfect as bridezilla Marnie, trying desperately to appear like the chill, cool "anything goes" bride, the very opposite of her true nature.

The fact that she can say in one breath "You know me, I'm easy, easy-going," followed by "Just make sure you OK everything with me before setting it with hairspray" is incredibly funny and perfectly in character for Marnie.

This is part of a very specific vision that I had for this wedding. A vision from an Edward Sharpe video, and it is mine.

Marnie

Poor Bebe. Sure, she didn't quite get the look that Marnie is going for with her wedding and went a little overboard with the makeup, but I can't quite blame her for calling all of the girls bitches and then storming out in a rage.

I'm actually not sure how she put up with Marnie's micro-managing for as long as she did.

Hannah, meanwhile, is her typical self. She is incapable of seeing beyond her own desires and making sacrifices for Marnie's happiness, despite Shosh's admonitions. At least, not until Marnie has a total breakdown when it starts raining and her face looks like she dunked it in a vat of chocolate.

The scene between Hannah and Marnie in the bathroom, post-Marnie's breakdown, is easily the highlight and centerpiece of the episode. Notably, after Fran reveals to Hannah that Desi has been engaged seven other times and that Marnie's ring was for Clementine, Hannah fails to come clean and tell Marnie.

Instead, inspired by Marnie's rant about having always stuck by Hannah throughout her bad decisions, Hannah decides to stick by Marnie through her bad decision – she denies that she thinks Marnie is making a mistake in marrying Desi.

This is in character for Hannah, and it's part of what makes her such a terrible friend. Many of the Girls friendships are incredibly superficial, and one can't help but think that a true friend would have told Marnie the truth and stopped her from making the mistake of marrying asshat Desi.

Finally, let's talk about that moment. Adam kisses Jessa, suddenly and without warning, while the two are briefly alone. Jessa, after a brief moment of shock and hesitation, passionately kisses him back.

I love this and I completely saw it coming throughout Girls Season 4. The two were getting closer and closer throughout the season, first when Hannah was away in Iowa and even throughout Adam dating the irritating Mimi-Rose (thanks to Jessa's interference) and Jessa spending her time chasing after Ace.

They have a lot in common – they're recovering alcoholics, a bit eccentric, and care little about what others think of them. The pairing makes sense. I don't know whether it will hold up in the long run, but there's no denying the chemistry in that kiss.

And there's no denying that this will make for incredible drama, when oft-unstable Hannah finds out about it. Fran or no Fran, I don't see Hannah taking this sitting down.

Stray Thoughts:

  • I can't wait to see Shoshanna in her new world, living in Japan. All of her little Shoshisms got me really excited to see her in action. I love her cartoon-y self.
  • OF COURSE Elijah would be planning to take MDMA right before the vows. Of course.
  • Rita Wilson as Evie Michaels, Marnie's self-centered and equally micro-managing mom, is always great. But she felt a bit unnecessary for this episode. She just seemed extraneous. 
  • Marnie's cultural heritage is "white Christian woman." I think this was the hardest I laughed throughout "Wedding Day."

What did you think of the season premiere? Love it or hate it? Let us know by commenting below and remember that you can watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic to catch up on anything you've missed!

View Slideshow: 37 Times TV Characters Got Their Groove On
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Quotes of the Week: The Big Bang Theory Turns 200, Criminal Minds & More!

February 26, 2016, 1:00 pm
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A lot of shows are going off the air this week! 

It was season finale time for Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce, Code Black and The X-Files and The Flash and Arrow went on hiatus.

Did that mean the good lines were coming fast and furiously? 

Scroll through the slideshow to find out.

1. The Big Bang Theory

A birthday surprise the big bang theory
Bernadette: What kind of cake do you like? Sheldon: My favorite is chocolate with strawberry frosting, three layers. And if there's...

2. Scorpion

Drugs via drones scorpion
Happy: You let the cat out of the bag. Toby: Cats shouldn't be in a bag in the first place. Bags are a terrible place for cats.

3. Criminal Minds

Agent natalie colfax criminal minds
Morgan: She wants to meet for dinner tonight because we need to talk. I've gotten this text enough times in the past to know it ain't...

4. The Vampire Diaries

Ian somerhalder as damon salvatore
Damon: Enzo? Remember Thanksgiving in 1953? We were locked up and I told you I was thankful for you through that little hole in the wall....

5. Shameless

I like you shameless
Queenie: You could do things with your tongue that would make a rattlesnake blush.

6. Family Guy

Cleveland brown picture
Cleveland: Oh, yeah. Black guys put hot sauce on everything on account most of us have been pepper-sprayed by the time we're two.
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Girls Season 5 Episode 2 Review: Good Man

March 1, 2016, 9:58 am
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The girls are growing up.

That's essentially the tagline of Girls Season 5 and, two episodes into the season, this is holding true in the most basic way.

As of Girls Season 5 Episode 2, Marnie has gotten married, Shoshanna has her first real-person job and has moved away from home, Jessa has decided to no longer be a shitty person, and Hannah has fallen into having a live-in boyfriend and an actual career.

So, y'know... grown-up stuff.

Hannah's Dad - Girls

"Good Man" was completely devoid of both Marnie and Shosh, focusing instead on Jessa, Hannah, and their various boys.

We started off with the nervous breakdown of Fran's roommate, Jacob, featuring special appearances by Hannah's "bush" and her left boob.

Hannah was as useful in dealing with a person having a mental health episode as you would expect (read: not helpful at all). Here's a hint, Hannah – if someone is acting unhinged, maybe don't aggravate them by stage-whispering that they are crazy? Just maybe.

Because of that, Fran was forced to move in (temporarily?) with Hannah. Fran and Hannah's relationship has been a welcome change for Hannah and, I think, makes her a more bearable character, so here's hoping that this unplanned step forward in their relationship won't cause the whole thing to implode.

Hannah, oblivious as ever, went off to her job and proceeded to teach her middle schoolers about Philip Roth. Because, reasons. 

Principal: What are we gaining from having them read this book now?
Hannah: I think they're gonna gain a unique understanding of how Jewish men, particularly in their twenties, are this, just, very specific mix of sexual bravado and extreme self-hatred, and it can be really destructive to the girls they choose to fuck.

Poor Principal Toby. The guy is just so even-keeled and gentle with deluded, self-involved Hannah, to the point where she steam-rolled right over him. She completely disregarded what he was saying and then dashed out to go help her father with his personal crisis.

I mean, I guess I can't be too surprised because how else would Hannah have been expected to hold down a teaching job for months unless her boss was a complete and total pushover?

The heart of "Good Man" involved Hannah's dealings were her father. Tad's coming out storyline, introduced last year, was one of the unexpected highlights of Girls Season 4. The material was genuinely emotionally affecting and provided ample award-worthy material for Becky Ann Baker (Loreen), Peter Scolari (Tad), and Lena Dunham herself.

Same deal here. Tad took a sojourn into Manhattan to hook up with a man he'd met online and wound up emotionally broken and weeping in a Midtown Marriott after he went through with it.

Reflecting on the man's tiny, purple apartment and how Keith did not at all look like what his picture showed was apparently too much for Tad to deal with. He had also forgotten his wallet behind and enlisted Hannah's help. He asked her to go to Keith's apartment for him and retrieve it.

Tad's awkwardness and refusal to go back to Keith's apartment perfectly represented his situation. He's a middle-aged man going through the motions of legitimate courtship and dating for the first time, decades too late.

It's sad but it's also humorous. The situation was the perfect blend of heartbreaking and awkward. Essentially, it was very Girls.

Tad: I don't know what to do.
Hannah: That's okay. I'm here. And I'm always gonna be here, so.

The exchange between Hannah and her father, after she'd retrieved his wallet and angrily confessed to him that her mother was asking him for a divorce, was brilliant.

Tad and Hannah have a very believable, realistic relationship, and Hannah's discomfort in having to be the emotional support to her father, this older man who she'd always expected to take care of her, was very moving.

Right before Tad and Hannah broke down crying, Hannah had attempted to recruit Elijah to help, leading to the line of the episode:

I have to go, Hannah's having a gay emergency with her gay dad.

Elijah

This was following his runner-up line, "What about my important coffee work?" Seriously, Andrew Rannells is a natural treasure, and more Elijah is always a good thing.

Luckily, it seems as though more Elijah focus is in the cards. After spotting the sobbing Horvaths in the restaurant, he did a quick about-face and found himself in a bar instead. While there, he was picked up by a very charming news anchor played by Corey Stoll. 

Dill the anchor seems a little bit too perfect, so I'm wary about this storyline. He's charming as all get out, but hopefully that's out of genuine attraction to Elijah and not just his way. Elijah deserves a central storyline and not to be relegated to the sidelines as Hannah's gay platonic soul mate.

The other major plotline "Good Man" followed Adam following Jessa around all day.

I have to confess: I love this pairing. I don't even care if they never fully come together romantically. These two just work for me, even platonically. Jemima Kirke and Adam Driver have fantastic screwball chemistry.

Their "friend date" was lovely and Adam was exceedingly charming, playing boardwalk games with children, winning Jessa a goldfish, killing it by shaking it, etc.

It hinted at the possibility of a far more grown-up relationship than Adam and Hannah ever entertained (though I do think the Adam/Hannah relationship forced each of them to grow up in many ways).

Because we are friends. Because you know as well as I do even if we could be together, even if Hannah didn't exist, that I would destroy you. And you would destroy me.

Jessa

Jessa doth protest too much, don't you think? Their chemistry is undeniable, and was just underscored by that whole masturbating side-by-side thing. She's trying really hard not to be a shitty person/shitty friend to Hannah, but at some point I do think masturbating next to your friend's ex is probably on par to just hooking up with them.

Jessa's line drawn in the sand is so arbitrary but perfectly in character with Jessa. ("If we're not touching, it doesn't count!" is her basic line of thinking.)

Stray Thoughts:

  • Keith, Tad's hook-up, just made me sad, with his purple apartment and his little toy dog and his friending Hannah's uninterested dad on Facebook. I think that was the point, though.
  • Special appearances by Caroline and Laird! Far too short, but definitely welcome additions.
  • Ray's encounter with the two workers at Helvetica was one of the funniest scenes in Girls history. His accidentally insulting the two of them was such a perfectly awkward, perfectly Ray moment. Ray and Elijah's battle against Helvetica seems like a promising minor comedic subplot for this season. It made me really want some coffee, though.
  • Seriously, who names a coffee shop after a font? So pretentious.

What did you think of "Good Man"? Are you team Jessa/Adam, or would you prefer that Jessa just stop being such a shitty person and be a good friend to Hannah instead? Chime in by commenting below and watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic if you've missed any episodes.

View Slideshow: 37 Times TV Characters Got Their Groove On
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23 Times TV Characters Tried to Get Fit

March 3, 2016, 11:22 am
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Not every TV character is a superhero.

THANK GAWD.

Because if some of the characters we've known through the years were forced to get fit for the job, they may not be able to do it. 

If Liz Lemon from 30 Rock was going to eat a McDonald's sundae every time she slowly meandered on the treadmill, for example, she's not going to be Wonder Woman!

She would, however, continue to entertain us.

See who else got the entertainment part down pat by scrolling through our slideshow!

1. Liz Lemon - 30 Rock

Liz lemon 30 rock
If you looked at the cover photo of our slideshow, you know eating McDonald's sundaes isn't the only sin Liz Lemon commited while on the treadmill. She also consumed wine. Other uses for the treadmill? Zipping up a zipper she couldn't reach on her back. The woman was a genius. I just wouldn't her to represent me in a marathon.

2. Doug Heffernan - King of Queens

Doug heffernan king of queens
What's the problem with exercising in the bedroom? You're looking at it! That bed looks a little too inviting for Doug, so after a few arm stretches, he finds an excuse and just crawls back in.

3. Amy Schumer - Inside Amy Schumer

Amy schumer inside amy schumer
One of Amy's many characters would just prefer to do nothing rather than running or walking on the elliptical machine. Me too, sister, me too! That's not earning either of us a place on the Justice League.

4. Dean Winchester - Supernatural

Dean winchester supernatural
Dean is all over the game of Dodgeball. You know why? He gets to be the dick coach. If he didn't, do you really think he'd want to play? Yeah, me neither. He may slay demons, but I bet he's more of a whiner when it comes to being on the receiving end of a ball to the gut.

5. Cam Tucker - Modern Family

Cam tucker modern family
Cam isn't into exercise. The gif of him on a strider in front of the Christmas tree was too small, but this will do. I love how Mitchell tells him to watch his hands so he looks more manly.

6. Edina Monsoon - Absolutely Fabulous

Edina monsoon absolutely fabulous
Edina is probably putting forth a lot of effort in her attempt to exercise here. She even has on ugly stretchy pants (with a blouse and long necklace, mind you). For Edina, trying to exert herself IS a stretch.
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Quotes of the Week: The 100, Girls, Gotham & More!

March 4, 2016, 12:00 pm
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Is it fair that the Lyon family isn't here to help March come in like a lion? It does seem somewhat unjust.

Nonetheless, there are plenty of other characters to take their places.

And some who disappeared off the canvas this week. Death be not proud.

RIP to the special featured guests who lost their lives (we think) on The 100 and DC's Legends of Tomorrow.

Scroll through the quotes to see what else was in store for the week!

 

1. The 100

Commander in peril the 100 season 3 episode 7
Lexa: We gather here on this Ascension Day to honor the Commanders that came before me. Those who live on within me. As I will live on...

2. Girls

Hannahs dad girls
Hannah: OK, Keith, well, I don't really know why my dad's wallet would've fallen out of the pants he said he was removing if you just...

3. Gotham

Are you kidding me gotham season 2 episode 12
Jim: That's it? No hug? No kiss? No welcome back? Bullock: You don't deserve these lips.

4. The Originals

Stefan in new orleans the originals
Stefan: So, um, full disclosure. I dated your sister once. Freya: Well, that seems like a great story.

5. Lucifer

Maze in control lucifer season 1 episode 6
Lucifer: I am amazed at the deferential respect you people have for rotting flesh.

6. Bitten

Elena shines bitten
Elena: When you first saw me, what did you think? Clay: I was pulled toward you, like no one else. Elena: I know. I felt it too. Maybe we...
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Girls Season 5 Episode 3 Review: Japan

March 20, 2016, 10:56 pm
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Shosh was living her best (and most colorful) life in Japan... up until the events of Girls Season 5 Episode 3, at least.

After hearing about how much Shosh was enjoying Japan in the Girls Season 5 Premiere, curiosity was definitely piqued. Was she really enjoying it as much as she said, or was she just trumping it up in order to assure everyone who would listen that she'd make the right decision?

Turns out, it was the former.

A Perfect Fit - Girls

After not seeing Shoshanna at all in Girls Season 5 Episode 2, it was great to get a very Shosh-centric episode.

Shosh in Japan was completely hilarious and basically exactly what I expected it to be. She'd picked up bits and pieces of the culture (and even a decent amount of the language and customs!) and was fitting right in with her coworkers. She'd even developed a tentative flirtation with her boss, Yoshi.

Her Japanese coworkers, meanwhile, did seem to like her too, but were mostly amused by her. Her two friends lightly made fun of her in Japanese so she couldn't understand them, and they also laughed at her tendency to talk too fast. Plus, they looked legitimately weirded out at Shosh's rant about not caring about anyone in America anymore, since she loves everyone and everything in Japan so much.

First of all, maybe I am a shiny star at the company because even though I've only been here for a very short while, I truly feel like this is my home and you people are my family. And I don't even really care about people in America anymore. But second of all, I also kind of have a boyfriend. And third of all, he's my boss, and Sheryl Sandberg would fucking kill me.

Shoshanna

That was such a Shosh moment, just saying whatever came into her head without any thought for how bizarre and overzealous it sounded.

On the other hand, her friends were clearly quite sad after she got the news that she'd been fired (A+ performance by Aidy Bryant as Shosh's boss Abigail, having the WORST time ever trying to fire Shosh via Skype).

The rules of drama dictate that when something is going very well for a character, it'll be time to shake things up or risk becoming stagnant and boring. This is clearly what's going on here.

Once we found out that Shosh was loving Japan, something was bound to go wrong, and fast. Her firing instigated the tough choice she had ahead of her: stay in Japan with no money to live there, or head back to America to a comfortable life being taken care of by her instant soup-making sorta-boyfriend, Scott?

Side note: Was anyone else completely taken aback to find out that Shosh and Scott had actually stayed together when she moved away to Japan? It did not at all seem like they were setting those two up for a long-distance relationship back in the Girls Season 4 finale.

Yoshi: Hello, Shoshanna. Did you have pleasure on this weekend?
Shoshanna: Oh, uh, yeah... Major pleasure.

Of course, Shosh's lukewarm feelings towards Scott became apparent very quickly, what with the awkward, adorable flirtation with her boss Yoshi and then her unimpressed phone call with Scott. It all culminated in Shosh kissing Yoshi passionately after their night of debauchery (Shosh in a slutty-nurse outfit whipping Yoshi's gross friend was all kinds of win), and Shosh choosing not to get on a plane home to America.

Yes, it was a jerk move of Shosh not to tell Scott that she wasn't showing up, leaving him hanging at the airport holding flowers and a sign like some kind of schmo, but that's kind of what this show is all about. Cartoonishly selfish, self-centered twenty-somethings doing things without consideration of anyone else's feelings.

What is Shoshanna going to do now that she's not returning to America? She has no money. She was clearly packing up her apartment, so had she made arrangements to move in with someone? Maybe Yoshi? Very curious.

Meanwhile, back in New York, Hannah struggled with an incredibly banal relationship issue, one that we'd never have expected the Hannah of early Girls to give a hoot about: she found ex-girlfriend nudes on Fran's phone.

Fran, being such a "nice guy Fran," professed that he was unable to get off to porn (because of the degradation of women and all) which just underscored his whole schtick.

He's nice. He's almost too nice, which is something of a theme this season – so far, both Marnie and Hannah's father have lectured her about what a nice guy Fran is in a sort of warning to make sure she hangs onto him. This is clearly going to drive them apart at some point, because Hannah was never one to do what people think she should do.

Ray and Elijah assisting Hannah in taking sexy nudes to send to Fran was such a great gag. They were doing it in Ray's coffee shop. Uh, no wonder people are choosing to go to Helvetica over your place, Ray. There's a naked lady on the couch!

Hannah: What I lack in skill, I make up for in extreme curiosity.
Ray: So why are you getting your panties in a bunch, then?
Hannah: Because, Ray, I've worked very, very hard to overcome the challenges of my non-traditional body type and accept myself for who I am. And I'm not going to be edged out of my own life by girls who don't even have any interesting fat deposits on them. Until this happened, I was basically Kate Upton to myself.

It also led to the Elijah-ism of the week:

Let me put this in terms you'll understand. Like you know a cake is coming later! There she is.

Elijah

Classic Elijah.

Naturally, by the end, Hannah was not content to be one photo among Fran's collection of ex-girlfriend nudes. She snuck out of bed in the middle of the night to delete the photographic evidence of her competition. How very Hannah of her. I'm sure this will end well for her.

Other thoughts:

  • Marnie's pronunciation of Ecuador was so obnoxious and so perfectly Marnie. Part of me can't believe that she and Desi actually went through with the marriage. I'm sure they'll enjoy they'll enjoy their literal "honeymoon" stage before it all falls to pieces.
  • The Jessa-Adam subplot seemed a bit shoehorned into this episode, what with so much else going on in it, but Adam's silent mime thing after Jessa turned down his kiss and left was a gift to the world. Such a fantastic, perfectly Adam moment. Adam Driver is a gem.
  • Elijah-ism of the week definitely goes to that "smile like you see a cake coming," but the runner up is definitely his response to Ray's eagerness for Marnie news: "Don't be thirsty, Ray."

What were your thoughts on "Japan"? Chime in by commenting below and watch Girls online to catch up on any episodes you may have missed!

View Slideshow: 23 Times TV Characters Tried to Get Fit
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Quotes of the Week from Vikings, Bates Motel, Lucifer & More!

March 12, 2016, 7:00 am
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This is the last time you'll see a quote from Downton Abbey, as the series took its final bow last Sunday. Sadness!

Bates Motel and Damien premiered Monday on A&E, while Thursdays remained the biggest night on television with Shondaland, Colony, TBBT and The 100!

Find out who was said the right stuff, who said the funny lines and who should have kept their mouths shut when you scroll through our quotes!

 

1. Vikings

Holidays in kattegat vikings
King Aelle: I once swore an oath before God and all his angels, that one day I would kill Ragnar Lothbrok.

2. Teen Wolf

Stiles visits lydia teen wolf
Liam: How do we get him to talk? Stiles: Personally I don't think we utilize torture nearly enough.

3. Lucifer

Party on lucifer season 1 episode 7
Chloe: It's really not a good day for your Lucifer-ness.

4. Gotham

Interruptions gotham season 2 episode 13
Jim: This is the rational way to go. Lee: Sometimes the rational way is not the best way.

5. Bates Motel

Finding norman bates motel
Norma: I need insurance, you have insurance, so I thought maybe you could marry me. It's not like you're doing anything else. Please, it...

6. The Vampire Diaries

Ian somerhalder as damon salvatore
Rayna: What’s next? It puts the lotion in the basket? Damon: It wouldn’t have to if it just stayed dead.
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Girls Season 5 Episode 4 Review: Old Loves

March 15, 2016, 4:21 pm
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Relationships are in flux for the girls of Girls. And also for Elijah.

Girls Season 5 Episode 4 dealt with issues in each of the current major relationships of the series – Fran/Hannah, Desi/Marnie, Adam/Jessa, and Dill/Elijah.

The Rendezvous - Girls

It's unfortunate that exactly what we all saw coming in the Fran/Hannah relationship is clearly going to come to pass. We appear to be seeing Hannah's realization that, though Fran is a nice guy (or a "seemingly" nice guy), he may not be the right guy for her. Sad, but realistic.

Maybe nothing went wrong. Maybe the relationship just lasted for the amount of time it was supposed to. Maybe all relationships have, like, a finite life span. Like Whoopi Goldberg and Ted Danson. Or Fran and me.

Hannah

"Old Loves" opened with Hannah and Fran having an argument about Hannah's teaching style.

Specifically, Hannah cares more about the kids' creativity flourishing than whether they actually know the ins and outs of English grammar. Fran, on the other hand, is behaving like an actual teacher. He wants the kids to learn what they should be learning.

The argument led to a student's paper getting torn in half and, when confronted by the student, Hannah reacted in the most inappropriate and Hannah-like way possible – she marched the student over to Fran's class, pulled him out of it, and bickered with him in front of the freaked out student.

Objectively, Fran was in the right, though it was wrong of him to commandeer Hannah's work in that way.

Hannah's job is to teach the kids English, and she's not doing that. This is expected, based on what we know of Hannah – she's an entitled twenty-something who is sure she knows best. Honestly, Hannah isn't a very good teacher. I'm not sure how we're supposed to believe she's kept this job as long as she has.

Sure, Hannah is definitely eccentric, but just because Fran is a "nice guy" doesn't mean that she should change who she is to fit with him, in order to "keep" him. Marnie is (predictably) a terrible friend for suggesting that.

"Old Loves" ended on a down note for Hannah and Fran, with the two of them sitting silently in her apartment, grading papers apart from one another. Fran looked back at her as if to say something, and then stopped himself. I am all but certain that these two will be breaking up sometime soon.

On the Desi/Marnie front, both of them are just awful. Seriously. As annoying as Hannah is, she has flashes of humanity that, despite it all, make me want to root for her. Marnie is just self-centered and irritating.

And Desi. Oof. Desi is an egotistical man-child. Sure, his idea to build a wall in their studio apartment in response to Marnie's comment about wanting more space seemed like a kind and genuine idea, but it was poorly thought out and poorly executed ($3,000!!!).

 Marnie, being Marnie, couldn't help but berate Desi about his attempt to do something nice in the pissiest and Marniest way possible.

It's unclear who is even in the right in this situation, but bizarrely, being with Desi seems to have given Marnie a sense of self-awareness that she's lacked in the past. I was completely shocked to hear her recognize that she picks at people, that it's a bad thing and she's not quite sure why she does it.

Oddly enough, Marnie and Desi may be the most stable and well-suited pair on the show, as of now. Definitely not what I expected, particularly after the events of the Girls Season 5 Episode 1.

Meanwhile, Elijah and Dill Harcourt (Corey Stoll) are the newest couple on the roster. I was really hopeful for these two (because, as I may have mentioned once or twice already, I absolutely love Elijah), but "Old Loves" already dropped one or two disarming hints that this Dill guy might be a little... off.

Is it just me? He seemed super intense even as of their first meeting earlier in the season. His "jokey" threat about Elijah messing with him was also disquieting, and Elijah's reaction clearly indicated that it was meant to appear disquieting.

It's becoming quickly apparent that Elijah is maybe more enamored of the wealth, fame, and luxury than Dill Harcourt himself (that post-coital walk through Dill's apartment, for one).

Dill, to his credit, is super ridiculously charming, and has a habit of sweeping Elijah off his feet with his lines and his romantic gestures (that Times Square sequence was, objectively, completely adorable).

But then, their sex scene just seemed off (in the same way that the Jessa/Adam sex scene was just off). That, combined with Dill's strangeness during their dinner scene, seemed very foreboding. So I don't exactly see this Dillijah relationship going the distance.

Finally, Jessa and Adam. Whoa, boy.

I've mentioned it already: I really like these two. I think Adam Driver and Jemima Kirke have fantastic, natural chemistry – far more than I ever saw between Lena Dunham's Hannah and Adam. But a relationship between the two wouldn't be easy, well-suited as they seem to be.

Jessa couldn't deal with her guilt over her feelings for Adam. For whatever reason, she apparently felt an obligation to Hannah to avoid giving in to her feelings.

At first, it seemed like Jessa (historically quite selfish and aloof) might just be using Hannah as an excuse to avoid pairing up with Adam. After her encounter with Hannah in the rice pudding store, that idea is basically discarded.

Hannah: Why are you being so mean to me?
Jessa: I'm always mean to you.
Hannah: Yeah, but usually it's nicer.

This exchange flawlessly summed up Jessa's character as a whole. She's mean and bitchy, yes, but in this scene with Hannah she was downright cruel. She was actively trying to push Hannah away and sever their friendship.

Ostensibly, because she was either (1) subconsciously pissed off at Hannah for "preventing" Jessa and Adam having a relationship or (2) trying to end their friendship consciously so she'd be able to hook up with Adam, guilt-free.

Both options are off-putting, but I could see both being in character for Jessa.

In the end, though, Jessa did finally go to see Adam and give in to her feelings for him. So much for that character growth.

Jessa: I've wanted this for a really long time.
Adam: Me too.

As wrong as it all was, that kiss was absolutely fantastic – Jessa weakly trying to pull away and Adam pulling her closer. It was perfect.

So, yes, it was mighty unexpected when they proceeded to have the most awkward sex in the history of Girls. Seriously. And that's saying something.

What are we supposed to take away from that? Is the Jessa/Adam relationship just a non-starter because, despite it all, they simply have no sexual chemistry? Or are they so into one another, on an emotional level, that they both got "stage fright" (so to speak)?

They seemed pretty lax about the whole "bad sex" thing (joking about it and then drifting off to sleep in one another's arms).

I have no idea where they're going to go with this, but I'm definitely intrigued. Particularly after Jessa's deep, downright loving gaze at Adam while he was sleeping.

Other Thoughts:

  • Poor Ray. I hope he gets something more interesting to do this season. The feud with Helvetica is funny, but he deserves something meatier. I miss the days of Ray/Shoshanna (not because they were particularly well-suited, but just because it gave him something to do).
  • The Marnie and Desi reconciliation made me want to gag. Something about Marnie appeasing Desi by calling him a creative genius really stuck in my craw.
  • No Shoshanna. They're really amping up the drama and tension by leaving characters out from entire episodes. I'm dying to know what she's doing in Japan after the events of Girls Season 5 Episode 3.
  • "I've wanted this for a long time" seemed, maybe, longer than the amount of time that Adam and Hannah were broken up. Was Jessa lusting after Adam while he and Hannah were together?

What did you think of "Old Loves"? Are you rooting for any of the main couples at all? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below and watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic in case you missed anything!

View Slideshow: Quotables for Week Ending March 11, 2016
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Quotes of the Week: Supergirl's Talkin' About Kanye, Nashville's Wedding & More!

March 19, 2016, 10:00 am
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When Supergirl is talking about Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, that's the slide that's in our top spot. 

It's not that we condone her behavior. BUT COME ON! 

Up second? A Nashville wedding. Rayna made a good point. It's about time!

There was a kiss that may or may not have meant something and a Viking funeral that wasn't on Vikings.

So much goodness. Now, get invested in these quotes of the week!!

1. Supergirl

Red kryptonite supergirl
Alex: He likes you, you like him, okay? Rebound relationships, they can work. Kara: Name one. Alex: Kim and Kanye. Kara: I'm embarrassed...

2. Nashville

Deacon and rayna nashville s4e11
Bucky: And Rayna James, you're about to marry Deacon Claybourne. Rayna: About damn time.

3. Blindspot

The inspector blindspot
Weller: One kiss does not mean we are romantically involved.

4. The Last Man on Earth

Dealing with loss the last man on earth
Phil: Phil Miller got knocked down. And this time... he did not get up again. We raise a whiskey drink. We raise a vodka drink. What a...

5. Vikings

Lagerthas big news vikings s4e5
King Ecbert: I would sup with the devil if he would show me how to achieve my earthly goals.

6. Girls

The rendezvous girls
Hannah: Adam was actually more sane than Fran, he was just in the body of a psychopath. Jessa: Actually, that's not true. Adam's...
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Girls Season 5 Episode 5 Review: Queen for Two Days

March 21, 2016, 5:07 pm
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Leave it to Hannah Horvath to blow up her relationship in the most awkward, unsatisfying way ever.

Girls Season 5 Episode 5 saw Hannah and her mother Loreen attend a "Spring Queening" retreat, where Loreen intended to do some soul-searching and think over her decision to divorce, and Hannah intended to avoid Fran. 

I really, really liked "Queen for Two Days." Of the three subplots, Hannah/Loreen's and Shosh's were both strong and well-balanced. I'd say Jessa/Adam scenes were probably the weakest of the bunch, but were by no means actually weak – just less engaging or interesting than the other plotlines.

Time Away - Girls

"Tad & Loreen & Avi & Shanaz" was one of the best installments of Girls Season 4, particularly because of its uniqueness in focusing chiefly on Hannah's parents, who typically never receive much attention at all, post-Tad's coming out. It was also a winner thanks to the strong performances of both of the actors playing the elder Horvaths (especially Becky Ann Baker as Loreen). 

"Queen for Two Days" also succeeded where it shone the spotlight on Loreen. The dinner scene with the other older, recently-divorced women was a standout, as Loreen grew ever more horrified listening to the horror stories the other women shared about dating as an older woman after divorce.

Her decision to remain with Tad, and the mini character arc that she took to get there throughout this episode, made perfect sense. Her closing speech to Hannah, depressing as it was, also fit what we know of Loreen.

I have to applaud the show for not going a "typical" route with Tad's coming-out.

The "expected" fallout obviously would have included the Horvaths divorcing, but Tad and Loreen both legitimately enjoy being married to one another (apparently the sex is even better than ever, post-outing, which is bizarre but amusing) and decide on a non-traditional course of action.

Seems befitting of the people who raised Hannah Horvath to be Hannah Horvath.

Hannah, meanwhile, spent the retreat weekend complaining about Fran and about the retreat, and futzing around on her phone to the increasing annoyance of that poor retreat worker guy, Sam.

It was clear that she'd just tagged along to be away from Fran, following their recent arguments over his collection of ex-girlfriends' nudes in Girls Season 5 Episode 3 and his overstepping with Hannah's teaching methods in Girls Season 5 Episode 4.

You know, I've actually never had sex with a woman before. I mean, I've done other stuff. I went to Oberlin, so I'm not, like, a monster.

Hannah

Can't say I was even remotely surprised that Hannah cheated on Fran. They were telegraphing what was going to go down (ha! Excuse that turn of phrase) between Hannah and the yoga instructor pretty heavily. And as soon as Holly used the term "copacetic," I was predisposed to dislike her.

Sexual "outbursts" seem to be Hannah's go-to coping mechanism. Hannah cheated with the first person who flirted with her, despite the fact that that person was a woman and Hannah was very much not into the hook-up at all.

The yoga instructor sobbing after climaxing via masturbation, after Hannah refused to continuing going down on her, fell a little flat.

It was one of those Girls moments that felt bizarre and uncomfortable just for the sake of being bizarre and uncomfortable. There's no way we'll ever see this woman again, so it wasn't a provocative or character-deepening moment. It was just strange. The encounter was already awkward enough without Hannah's hook up being an orgasm-crier.

Anyway, who knows what this means for Fran and Hannah. I would assume that Hannah will eventually come clean (since she was about ready to dump Fran anyway) and their relationship will end, but this show tends to subvert expectations so most likely something far more eccentric will happen.

Back at home, Jessa and Adam grew even closer after meeting up with her sister, Minerva ("Minni"). The detail that Jessa and Minni had hooked up with all the same men (excluding Jessa's father who Minni – unrelated to him – had an encounter with) was perfectly bizarre and seemed very Jessa.

It was a great detail, nicely explaining parts of Jessa's personality – she'd competed with this sister who matched her in everything and in some ways Jessa never had anything that was safely hers and hers alone.

Jessa's assurance that Adam could have sex with Minni and she wouldn't mind felt like a subconscious test for Adam, one that she didn't even realize she was administering. Luckily, Adam passed that test – with flying colors.

She's a beautiful fuckin' rainbow. Cutting and sublime. And she's gonna be the best fuckin' therapist ever. I envy her future patients because she's a truth-teller. And her perfect face is the least beautiful thing about her.

Adam [about Jessa]

Swoon.

The combination of laying into Minni about her misread of Jessa and offering to pay for Jessa's schooling really underscored how serious Adam is about the relationship, balancing out the seriousness that Jessa demonstrated by inviting him along to dinner with her sister and introducing Adam to Minni as her boyfriend.

These two are both really in it, which means it's either going to go dreamily or implode catastrophically.

I really like these two together, so I'm hoping for the former. Though paying for any significant other's schooling is an odd, risky move, especially since these two literally just got together. Nice gesture, though.

On another note, clearly that awkward first-time sex of "Old Loves" was just a one-off rough beginning. Their first appearance in this episode, mid-coitus, proved that they're perfectly in tune, sexually: Jessa also digs oddly specific role play and gives Adam an opportunity to exercise his acting chops.

It's cute. They're cute. I really hope this doesn't implode.

Shoshanna, meanwhile, does a complete 180 in Japan following a surprise visit from her ex-boss, Abigail (Aidy Bryant, fantastic as always). Working at the second largest cat cafe in Tokyo and dating Yoshi was, apparently, not fulfilling for Shosh in the slightest.

Shosh started off "Queen for Two Days" determined to convince Abigail that Tokyo was the best (though, on second viewing, her assurances to Abigail that she was loving Tokyo and "romantic exploration" with Yoshi were half-hearted at best).

Sometimes, at night, I think about Japan, and I'm like, "Did I create this country in my mind?"

Shoshanna

By the end of it, it had become obvious that Shosh's over-the-top love of Tokyo was, to some degree, put on. Showing Abigail around and having her experience everything Shosh thought was notable about Tokyo (all very Shosh-things, of course) managed to break through that facade Shosh had put up.

Shosh's breakdown at the restaurant when she confided in Abigail that she was homesick and lonely was one of Zosia Mamet's best scenes to date.

Any episode that allows close focus and a big moment for Shosh is a great one in my book. "Queen for Two Days" fit that bill, and more. Shosh's character arc is the most interesting thing about this season, so far.

Stray thoughts:

  • No Elijah. Hiss. Boo.
  • "Dhani Mahila" (the name of the retreat) means "Rich Girl" in Hindi, which is one of those perfect little hidden tidbits that make me adore this show's writing. So fitting.
  • On that note, "Queen for Two Days" did a great job satirizing rich lady retreats. The activities, the harsh tough-love feminist lectures, the boring lunch conversations. All of it. Perfect.
  • I'm probably not the only one who audibly grimaced when Yoshi let fly that he thought Shosh was a virgin, like him. Oy, Yoshi, you poor sap.
  • Abigail's description of Yoshi – "an Asiatic One Direction member" – was fantastic and so accurate.
  • Actually, Abigail was just on a roll in general. Mistaking a cat cafe for a "sex hut" and later "I want to watch a reality show about you two called Yosh & Shosh Take The City, any time I have the flu." More Aidy Bryant, please!
  • Are Tad and Loreen going to have an open marriage? The only thing I'm wary about, in that case, is if Tad meets a nice man he wants to marry and Loreen is abandoned. I don't think I could handle that. Next to Elijah, Tad and Loreen are probably the two most consistently likeable characters on the show.
  • On the flip side, Minni is awful. She was around for like one and a half scenes and I hate her. Nearly every line out of her mouth was infuriating.
  • I will miss Yoshi and his oddball mis-translations when Shosh inevitably shatters his heart and abandons him.

What did you think of "Queen for Two Days"? Are Fran and Hannah kaput, or is she going to bury her awkward adulterous encounter? Watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic in case you've missed any episodes!

View Slideshow: Quotables for Week Ending March 18, 2016
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Quotes of the Week from Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Elementary, Scorpion & More!

March 26, 2016, 7:00 am
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The Secretary of State was visiting colleges on Madam Secretary this week.

Hannah was recalling her time at Oberlin on Girls.

But it wasn't all university talk, as Martha dedicated her book to her son on Castle, and Liza had mourning sex with Josh on the season finale of Younger.

See what else was going on this week when you check out the quotable moments below!

1. Agents of SHIELD

Lance hunter meets with coulson on on agents of shield season 2
Hunter: What are the chances he just tripped and fell and wrapped himself in a nice, comfy tarp?

2. Vinyl

Descending into debauchery vinyl
Andie: I can't be the first person who ever mentioned it to your face. The logo looks like a toilet.

3. Quantico

Defensive driving quantico
Simon: Every morning I put a gun in my mouth. Have you ever tasted a gun, Alex? It's awful. It's the only thing that feels right to me.

4. Once Upon a Time

Rumplestiltskinmr gold photo
Rumplestiltskin: Don't worry, I'm not dead. Just visiting.

5. Girls

Time away girls
Hannah: You know, I've actually never had sex with a woman before. I mean, I've done other stuff. I went to Oberlin, so I'm not, like, a...

6. The Good Wife

Getting cozy the good wife
Alicia: Oh my God! My family needs a full time investigator. That's not normal, is it?
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Girls Season 5 Episode 6 Review: The Panic in Central Park

March 28, 2016, 4:27 am
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Well, that was beautiful and heartbreaking. Hello and goodbye again, Charlie!

Girls Season 5 Episode 6 was Marnie-centric and almost felt like a little short film, self-contained (something that Lena Dunham mentioned in the post-episode recap). Marnie has never been the most likeable character, but "The Panic in Central Park" truly made you feel for her.

And you can't help but cheer for her moment of growth, breaking up with Desi and realizing that she has a lot of issues to get over. Finally!

Blowing Off Steam - Girls

The great thing about Girls is that, despite the fact that each of the characters are clearly imperfect and often quite despicable, they each have moments that humanize them and almost force you to root for (or at least feel for) them. That's the strength of the writing of the show and the strong performances.

The kickoff to Marnie's little adventure was a fight with Desi, over going to get scones (of all things). It's doubtful that these two self-involved narcissists could make it work in the best of circumstances, but being in a cramped studio apartment with the remnants of a wall-in-progress caging them in certainly did not help the situation.

Desi's default setting is whiny man-child demanding comfort, and Marnie just wanted space, leading to a screaming match between the two and Marnie storming out.

Desi: Open your heart to me. Bella, open your heart to me now!
Marnie: It's fucking OPEN!

Marnie walked aimlessly throughout the city and encountered, of all people, her ex-boyfriend Charlie. Poor Charlie. We (and Marnie) haven't seen him in about three years, and those three years were tough on him.

Christopher Abbott is a wonderful actor (always thought so). Like Marnie, I did a double take when I saw him sitting there in that group of catcallers. He looked like a completely different person. I actually paused and went to check IMDb to see whether it was actually the same actor.

As a performer, Abbott made several subtle but important choices in the way he played this drastically changed Charlie, above and beyond the changes in physique (which were probably unrelated to his return to the role) and his voice/intonation.

Right off the bat, Charlie's face when he realized it was Marnie walking by hits hard. It's a perfect mix of "Oh crap" and being happy to see her. He also remembered both of Marnie's uncles, which was a small but significant detail that underscored how much he'd legitimately cared for Marnie – despite the fact that most of what he told her is called into question, when his drug use is revealed in the end.

Marnie: You have an accent that you didn't have before. You talk differently.
Charlie: No. No, you just don't remember me right.

Marnie became aware pretty quickly that Charlie had changed drastically but, being Marnie and being as self-involved as she is, she couldn't manage to put two and two together and realize what Charlie's erratic behavior and repeated "running off to the bathroom" meant.

Marnie's obnoxious confessional to the deeply uninterested shop girl really underscored that – instead of wondering what's going on with Charlie and his mysterious champagne party uptown, she gushed about all of the exciting and varied life experiences she's had at the young age of 25 and a half. Groan. So perfectly Marnie.

When the two got to Charlie's party, Marnie found out that Charlie was selling cocaine. Oddly, this didn't seem to bother her much at all. She was basically fine with that. Her non-reaction to that was especially odd when juxtaposed with her much more extreme reaction to later finding out that he's shooting heroin (or coke or something). 

Marnie's brief stint as "Magita Perez" was hilarious. It was a little difficult to suspend disbelief enough to think that this old rich guy would just drop $600 with no actual guarantee of action later in the night, but hey, I'm not a old rich guy, so what do I know, right? Plus, leave it to Marnie to somehow pull that stunt off successfully but in the most ridiculous way possible (Magita? Really?).

The sequence of scenes immediately following the party were all kinds of heartwrenching. Gorging themselves and dancing in the restaurant, walking through the park, tipping over the boat while kissing.

Lena Dunham & Co. did a fantastic job of demonstrating Marnie's desire to see Charlie as the one that got away, as the man she was "meant" to be with, while still threading the whole adventure with this pervasive sense of wrongness, a definite tension. Capsizing the boat mid-kiss and landing in the disgusting Central Park pond water was one such obviously metaphorical moment. (Girl, why on earth would you open your eyes in that water?!)

Speaking of Marnie underwater: Allison Williams has never been the strongest actress among the main four, but she did an incredible job throughout this entire installment. Marnie's face bobbing around underwater, amidst the pond scum, was clearly a moment of realization for her. Marnie's breakup scene with Desi was also a very strong performance from Allison, particularly in that palpable sense of relief on her face when she realized that Desi's personal growth was no longer her problem.

Charlie: What if we ran away? I'm serious. What if, like, the last few years were just a bad dream and we ran away? And opened up a general store. Somewhere where they need a general store. I got cash. I got a bike. We can go wherever we wanted. Wouldn't have to tell anybody if we didn't feel like it.
Marnie: I don't need any of my stuff. I don't. I don't really need any of my stuff. I hate all of my stuff.
Charlie: I'm serious. As soon as the sun comes up, let's go.
Marnie: But what about all of the time, hmm?
Charlie: Doesn't have to bother us if we don't let it.

Back at Charlie's shitty, garbage-bag-curtains apartment, one gunpoint robbery later, Marnie and Charlie fantasized about running away together. At that point, it became exceedingly clear that these two weren't going to work out.

I totally bought that Marnie, in her current state of mind, would go right along with Charlie's plan to open a general store in a little town somewhere, leaving all of her stuff behind, but come on – we've known Marnie for five years now, and there's absolutely no way she'd enjoy that kind of life. Again, it was clear that she was allowing herself to get caught up in the imperfect fantasy of what could be for her and Charlie.

So of course, that illusion was shattered irreparably once Marnie found Charlie's needle and realized that he was a junkie.

Talk about heartbreaking. I really wish we would've gotten the remainder of that confrontation scene. I feel like something more had to have happened between Charlie lamely claiming that he was diabetic and Marnie walking home from his gross apartment, hair dripping wet and shoeless.

Arriving back at home, Marnie confronted Desi and gave us what I think I can say we've all been waiting for. She called him an asshole and broke up with him – but not even in a mean way. It was very un-Marnie and surprisingly mature.

I was really rooting for her by that point, and I could hardly believe she actually went through with it. It was clearly the right thing to do, and it was clearly going to happen sometime this season (based on what went down in the Girls Season 5 Premiere), but I didn't think that Marnie would end it so soon. It's only just past mid-season!

"The hope of the beginning"? You mean when you had a girlfriend and I saw you like twice a week and half the times we fucked you covered my face with a pillow because you couldn't handle the guilt? Do you remember that? Jesus Christ, I have some, like, serious shit to work out. So do you. I'm not sure you're capable of it but... that's not my problem anymore.

Marnie

Regardless: three cheers for Marnie's character development!

Other thoughts:

  • This was a really strong installment and Charlie's story was an important and devastating one. I'm sure we're not going to see his character ever again after this. That said, I'm a little disturbed that this is it for him. Even if Marnie realized she couldn't run away with Charlie, would she really just leave him alone in that apartment and not try to get him help? Tell Ray or something?
  • For a minute, I thought that Charlie might have been in on the robbery (particularly when he handed over the earrings, unbidden). Like maybe he'd called a junkie friend when he realized that Marnie had valuables and they planned to split the loot. On a second viewing, it appears that that scene more likely is meant to show that despite all of Charlie's new tough-guy, drug dealing, knife-having posturing, he's still the same old "soft" Charlie on the inside.
  • Marnie letting herself into Hannah's apartment and climbing into bed with Hannah and Fran gave me all the BFF feels.
  • Ray will be over the moon to hear about this divorce development. Probably not so over the moon to hear about his former best friend's descent into drug addiction, though. (Seriously, I feel like Marnie has to tell Ray about this.)

What did you think of "The Panic in Central Park"? Chime in by commenting below and watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic if you missed any of Marnie and Charlie's reunion!

View Slideshow: Quotables for Week Ending March 26, 2016
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Quotes of the Week from Elementary, The Walking Dead & More!

April 2, 2016, 10:00 am
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Elementary wins the quote of the week. Anytime I can laugh out loud at a quote from a show I don't watch, it's a win.

That's what we aim to do here, get you to want to tune in. I'm going to watch that episode of Elementary.

Scroll through this slideshow and see what you might want to tune into that you've never seen before!

1. Elementary

A critical point elementary
Sherlock [to Joan, on the neighbor's noisy sex]: Perhaps it entered your mind subconsciously. Were your dreams filled with two flounders...

2. Shades of Blue

Facing off with miguel shades of blue
Harlee: You watched your son repeatedly break my face and didn’t lift a finger to help. Why would I think it would be any different for...

3. The Walking Dead

Search parties head out the walking dead
Michonne: Maggie has us on a schedule, and I'm not pissing off a pregnant lady.

4. Vinyl

Stop in vegas vinyl
Zak: I'd trust my wife naked in bed with Burt Reynolds before I'd trust you alone with 200 grand in cash! Richie: I vaguely see your point!

5. Quantico

Lives hang in the balance quantico
Iris: You look like you are trying to do long division in your head.

6. Shameless

Scamming money shameless
Frank: You have no money yet you're going into a grocery store. Interesting.
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Girls Season 5 Episode 7 Review: Hello Kitty

April 4, 2016, 12:17 am
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Raise your hand if you, too, were expecting Girls Season 5 Episode 7 to be a Shoshanna-centric installment, based solely on the title.

Alas, it wasn't to be. The "Kitty" in question here was Kitty Genovese, the victim in a well-known murder, and not a cartoon kitten. 

Being Judged - Girls

Of course, "Hello Kitty" was not really about Kitty Genovese at all.

Rather, Adam's latest acting gig was an interactive play about Kitty Genovese's murder (specifically, about the thirty-eight neighbors who all failed to help Kitty, falling prey to the "bystander effect"). "38 Neighbors" provided an excellent, marvelously absurd backdrop for the Hannah- and Marnie-centric portions of the episode.

As a native New Yorker, I've seen more than my fair share of deeply mediocre plays, so "38 Neighbors" being what it was felt really organic. It was silly and funny in a realistic way, with the "scenes" that our principal characters oversaw ranging from the totally ham-fisted to the painfully overacted.

I can't quite explain why, but the sight of "Joan," one female "38 Neighbors" character, aggressively dancing at her sister "Ellen" with that pissed-off look on her face was completely hilarious. I think I watched it about five times. For me, it was the highlight of the installment, and maybe one of the funniest gags all season.

"Hello Kitty" began with Hannah making yet another head-in-hands life choice: She flashed her vagina at good-natured and easygoing Principal Toby in an attempt to get out of being in trouble for inappropriately gossiping about the other teachers with her students.

Which, let's be honest, is a totally Hannah thing to do. All of it.

Bizarrely, this method somehow worked and Hannah was apparently dismissed from Toby's office with no further punishment. What the what!? I mean, yeah, Principal Toby seems like a chill guy and all, but this is even pushing the limits of suspension of disbelief.

Naturally, Fran was angry about Hannah's behavior, but perhaps even more angry that Hannah was bragging about what she'd done. Hannah, meanwhile, has been feeling more and more stifled by Fran, and that came to a head in this installment.

She's realizing that the two are deeply incompatible on a fundamental level. Fran clearly believes, to some degree, that Hannah can be "fixed" and made to act more like a regular grownup.

The issue, really, is that Fran doesn't accept Hannah for who she is. And that's a problem.

Despite the fact that Hannah isn't necessarily a good person or a likeable person, she is who she is – and presumably Fran knew that when choosing to get into a relationship with her. For that reason, his behavior is understandably annoying to Hannah, despite the fact that he is, to viewers, objectively in the right for getting angry at her.

Hannah spent the majority of her time at "38 Neighbors" being angry at Fran, on the verge of breaking up with him. In fact, she all but initiated a breakup right before the play started, though he didn't take her seriously, assuming instead that she was threatening him to get him to continue their conversation.

Midway through the play, Hannah spotted Jessa gazing down at Adam lovingly, from her vantage point on the fire escape. Hannah looked like she'd been socked in the gut.

That scene was beautifully shot, as the camera swung around to follow Hannah following Jessa's gaze to Adam. The entire realization of what was going on was done so well. Hannah's initial reaction was to get angry, feeling (irrationally) betrayed by her ex and her ex-friend.

As with Marnie in Girls Season 5 Episode 6, "Hello Kitty" managed to make us really feel for Hannah. Despite the fact that we know her devastation over Adam and Jessa being together is technically irrational, we feel her pain when she breaks down while Fran is trying to coax a reconciliation out of her.

That moment really spoke volumes about both characters. Fran is the type of person who, after cooling off and spending a few hours apart, is fully capable of getting over their argument and moving on. Hannah, left on her own a few hours, has basically forgotten all about Fran and their argument, instead zeroing in on her new problem – Adam and Jessa.

Hannah slapping Fran's hand away and then immediately apologizing to him was a great moment of vulnerability. She was so desperate not to be alone with herself following the Jessa/Adam reveal, she was clinging to a boyfriend she'd recently decided that she didn't even really like.

Marnie was dealing with relationship drama of her own. She felt the need to tell Ray, specifically, that she had broken up with Desi and to ask for his opinion on it.

She was clearly aware of Ray's feelings for her, so this just reeks of Marnie being desperate for male romantic attention and validation. Ugh, Marnie. Your character growth was fun while it lasted. Poor Ray.

Look, if I'm being completely honest with myself, I think I knew we were going to get divorced before we even got married. I was just really scared of what it was that I knew that I needed. I think that what I need is to be... Alone.

Marnie

Desi unexpectedly showed up at the play to tell Marnie that their song was going to be featured in a Grey's Anatomy death montage, which, naturally, is a huge boon for their shared music career. The two would be going on tour together to boost that wave of popularity.

Marnie tried to gently establish that this wouldn't mean their relationship would be repaired, but Desi was hesitant to accept that. I, too, am hesitant to believe that Marnie will be able to withstand taking the easy way out and getting back together with Desi, despite knowing it's the right thing to do.

Meanwhile, Elijah attended Dill's fancy apartment party. He was loving being surrounded by Dill's fancy rich friends and being mistaken for one of Ralph Lauren's adopted male model sons.

Well, I'm happy to be here. I feel oddly at home. Your friends are all really nice. Mine are all mean and poor.

Elijah

Of course, that bubble was burst in short order when one of Dill's ex-FWB's divulged to Elijah that he was one of Dill's many hook-ups. Clearly, Elijah thought they had something special and exclusive.

To me, this revelation was wholly unsurprising. There was always something slightly off about how unbearably charming and dapper Dill was. There needed to be a dark side to it, and now we know what that is.

Drunk Dill climbing into Elijah's bed in the middle of the night and passing out was something I definitely didn't see coming. It suggested that perhaps Dill does see something more in his new relationship with Elijah. Can Dill be tamed, and is Elijah up to the challenge?

Other thoughts:

  • Despite how terrible Hannah's actions were at the school, I adore her invention of the term "phantom centaur butt." Say what you will about Hannah Horvath, but she certainly has a way with words.
  • Once again, Ray was trotted out solely to serve as a sad sack and someone for Hannah to complain at. The season is almost over and Ray has been grossly underused. He's such a great character! Why are they doing nothing with him?
  • I'm both shocked and not at all shocked that Hannah is a favorite teacher at the school, according to Principal Toby. She's simultaneously the best and worst teacher ever.
  • One of the greatest moments was Hannah overhearing that somebody else had taken candy from the bowl in another scene/room and immediately leaving to go to that room.

What did you think of "Hello Kitty"? Be sure to watch Girls online here at TV Fanatic if you missed it!

View Slideshow: Quotables for Week Ending April 2, 2016
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17 TV Characters Who Have Impeccable Style

April 11, 2016, 2:31 am
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Fashion on TV has an undeniable affect on fashion trends off-screen. Some of the most stylish TV characters (both men and women) have inspired the clothing, accessories, makeup, and hair styles we see in the real world.

They also give us, as viewers, the confidence to try new styles for ourselves.

From Olivia Pope and Jessica Day, to Lucious Lyon and Sherlock Holmes, here are 17 TV characters with impeccable personal style. 

1. Olivia Pope

Olivia pope scandal season 4 episode 19
Scandal's Olivia Pope is how every fierce woman wishes they could dress on a daily basis. From power suits and peacoats, to those super fashionable capes, Olivia Pope is a TV style icon. Don't believe me? The character has inspired her own line of clothes at The Limited. Her style is classic, yet sexy, and her hair is always on point. Girl, work!

2. Lydia Martin

Lydia martin photo
I could talk about her fierce braided updos all day, but let's focus on her wardrobe. Lydia Martin of MTV's Teen Wolf is one of my all-time favorite female characters, and her confidence and personal style are part of the reason. Her look is preppy, fresh, and suprisingly age-appropriate (something pretty rare on TV these days). The character is a great model for teenage girls looking to dress just like her.

3. Lucious Lyon

A family business empire
If there's one word to describe Lucious Lyon of Empire's style, it's 'sharp.' Those suits and statement blazers just exude power and confidence. Lucious constantly looks like he's ready to shoot the cover of GQ.

4. Felicity Smoak

Nice dress arrow s4e14
Smart is sexy, especially when you're Arrow's Felicity Smoak. The heels, the colorful body con dresses, and the black-framed glasses are what make up her signature style. Felicity always comes off professional and classy no matter what she's rocking.

5. Damon Salvatore

A final request the vampire diaries s6e14
There's something hot about a guy who knows what he looks good in and sticks with it. For The Vampire Dairies' Damon Salvatore, that's a neutral cotton v-neck t-shirt, a black leather jacket, dark-wash fitted jeans, and a glass of bourbon in hand. Hey, it's been working for him for over a century!

6. Aria Montgomery

Lucy hale promo pic
All of the leading ladies on Pretty Little Liars have an amazing sense of style, but there's something special about Aria Montgomery's. It's quirky, funky, and a little bolder than the other girls. She's also not afraid to rock statement jewelry and bold prints. We can all appreciate a fashion risk-taker and trend-setter.
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