Review: Girls - "Vagina Panic" - Hanna Almost Came and Charlie Has a Low Sperm Count

Review: Girls – Season 1, Episode 2 – “Vagina Panic”

Air date: Sunday, April 22, 2012, 10:30/9:30c on HBO

Rating: ★★★★★

There couldn’t be a more appropriate title than “Vagina Panic” for the second episode of HBO’s Girls. If I had a sex life similar to Hannah (Lena Dunham), Jessa (Jemima Kirke), Shoshanna (Sosia Manet) and Marnie (Allison Williams), my vagina would also be panicking; it might even be hysterical!

“Vagina Panic” reminded me of how exhausting it is to find yourself, own up to who you are, and consequently uphold your value as a woman. It’s an effort that requires the ability to command respect, especially from men. Girls’ four girlfriends are stuck in this self-definition stage and have a long way to go, not only in regards to the other sex but also in their relationships with one another.

The episode begins with the sexual encounters of Hannah and Marni and their respective partners. Marnie wants her boyfriend Charlie (Christopher Abbott) to grow some balls. Their sex life—or should I say “making love” as Charlie prefers (*snicker*) to call it—is beyond dull. Marnie is due for some bad boy action, which I suspect she’ll find soon. With such an effeminate boyfriend, a woman can only put up with so much!

Being a romantic at heart, Hannah longs for a boyfriend’s caring affections but she’s unable to apply her own wisdom to her own choice of lover. And while on topic, can I say I already hate Adam (Adam Driver)? He’s an inconsiderate, selfish loser with the added offense of being as dumb as a rock—no offense to rocks. Driver is great in playing this character but I wish Adam were more like the douche bag Hannah concocts in her mind; unfortunately, she’s got the love bruises to prove he exists.

Review: Girls - "Vagina Panic" - Hanna Almost Came and Charlie Has a Low Sperm Count 1

Jess (Jemima Kirke), Hannah (Lena Dunham) and Shoshanna (Zosia Mamet) disagree on dating views.

Jessa’s upcoming abortion leaves the girls in a worrisome state and it pushes them to evaluate their own circumstances. The conversations at the clinic are entertaining but they turn serious as confessions pour in. Soshanna’s virginity admission adds to my sympathy for her. She desperately wants be accepted by her friends, which leads her to compromise her beliefs on a regular basis. After Dunham, Manet is my next favorite actress in Girls. I appreciate how she makes acting flighty so endearing, given all the other layers she adds to her character.

On the other hand, my dislike for Jessa deepened with “Vagina Panic.” The playground conversation shows her to be a hypocrite. She pretends to be this free-spirited, empowered woman but she’s extremely judgmental of others. Geez Jessa, live free and let others do the same! My jaw dropped when she has the nerve to accuse Hannah of being “so self-involved.” It’s a classic diversionary tactic and I get she’s under a lot of stress due to the abortion but she ends up coming across like a bully who is inconsiderate to her friends. The manner in which Hannah handles her shows how wise beyond her years she is. Marnie, the self-disciplined and mother hen of the group, is less compassionate than Hannah but she earns brownie points with me when she rightfully points out to Hannah and Shoshanna what Jessa is all about.

The dialogue in “Vagina Panic” represents slices of life. Some of them could be defined as crude but with the great chemistry among the actresses, the interactions feel realistic. Dunham is such a natural actress; she makes ordinary scenes formidable and funny while making her character relatable. Her disastrous job interview was priceless! I kept on rooting for Hannah even though her prospects fizzled faster than a Coke in the hot summer heat. In spite of the humor, Dunham shows her solid understanding of her generation. I can’t tell you how many instances I’ve seen of millennials confusing friendliness with an invitation to be casual in professional settings. And this is what keeps me interested in the show: Girls is the study of a generation by that same generation all while poking fun at itself – I call that smart TV.

Confession time: Like with Hannah’s OB-GYN, I wouldn’t want to be in my early 20s again but it’s fun to reminisce about it via Girls.

Tune in to Girls on Sundays at 10:30/9:30c, only on HBO. For more on the show, visit http://www.hbo.com/girls

Follow @girlsHBO on Twitter.

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Soaker of life. I like to experience things and see the world. I consider myself a professional traveler. My love for movies and television goes way back but I'm a sucker for action-oriented films and shows. Oh, and I make excellent martinis! Follow me on twitter @LutzElle.