Amelia Ritthaler and Evan Lazarus, of HBO Girls Rewatch podcast, share their ultimate guide to Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking and ‘charmingly problematic’ TV show
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Girls is our favourite charmingly borderline problematic guide to growing up. Reluctantly relatable, its themes and dynamics still resonate despite being originally released in 2012. Although we highly recommend watching annually (everything is fine, promise), for those who don’t want to lean into their regression with quite the same dedication, podcast sensation HBO Girls Rewatch’s dynamic duo, Evan Lazarus and Amelia Ritthaler, have put together the ultimate guide to the best Girls episodes.
But first, let’s run through Evan and Amelia’s credentials that give them such authority to tailor our Girls journey. Their podcast, launched with gusto early last year, dissects Lena Dunham’s groundbreaking creation, episode by episode. Each week, they’re joined by a guest – a fellow comedian or die-hard Girls enthusiast – adding layers of insight and laughter to their exploration of Dunham’s genius. It’s also worth giving their Instagram a shoutout, which is full of screenshots from the most hilarious and heartbreaking moments from the series.
S1E1: “PILOT”
“No offence, but watching just one episode of this show is like opening a bag of your favourite chips – it’s impossible to stop at just one! We recommend kicking off this binge-worthy journey with the pilot episode, where each of the fab four’s unique charms are brilliantly unveiled. Picture a starry-eyed Shoshanna, the naive NYU student, awe-struck by her worldly cousin Jessa’s arrival. Then there’s Marnie, the Type A personality, rolling her eyes at her seemingly perfect boyfriend. Meanwhile, Hannah Horvath is left in shock as her parents cut her off.
“Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of drama that’ll leave you craving more. Trust me, once you dip your toes into this riveting world, resistance is futile. Get ready to be hooked!”
S1E6: “THE RETURN”
“Lena Dunham artfully explores the complexities of returning your family home in your twenties. If, like me, you find yourself perpetually on edge in the company of your parents, even amidst their warmth, then Lena’s creation offers solace. She skillfully captures the essence of being 24, where you feel like both the world’s oldest living person and someone born in the last news cycle.
“This episode delves into the theme of homecoming. A standout moment for me is when Lou Taylor Pucci’s character, Eric, the local pharmacist and Hannah’s high school peer, asks her out on a date to a benefit for a recently deceased classmate, Carrie (is this a SATC dig?). I’ve often fantasised about returning to my hometown and experiencing such an invitation. Sadly, everyone from my high school now lives in the East Village, particularly the Trader Joe’s there.”
S2E5: “ONE MAN’S TRASH”
“Scientifically speaking, one in every three girls discover their sexuality watching Patrick Wilson play a recently divorced doctor who falls in love with Hannah Horvath for 48 hours. In the ultimate Girls capsule episode, I feel as though Lena Dunham makes the first true porno for women.
“I am desperate to date someone who surpasses me in every conceivable aspect, and this episode is the perfect way to microdose just that. Hannah innocently enters the apartment of a hot, angry doctor to apologise for throwing away the trash from her job in his garbage, and then proceeds to engage in a sexual escapade with him for the next two days. If you’re feeling down in your cramped and cheap apartment, escape into the world of a perfectly decorated brownstone and pretend it’s you playing naked ping pong with a DILF.”
S3E2: “TRUTH OR DARE”
“If Shoshanna is your favourite character, this episode is tailor-made for you. Hannah and Adam, deeply in love, embark on a road trip to upstate New York, accompanied by the ever-energetic Shoshanna, to retrieve Jessa from rehab. The reunion between Hannah and Jessa is bittersweet, offering a poignant portrayal of the challenges inherent in friendships during the tumultuous years of your twenties.
“This episode takes the cake for the most quotable lines, my favourite being Shoshanna’s explanation of why spoons are her preferred utensil: “Like, why would you want cold metal prongs stabbing you in the tongue, when instead you could have food, like, delivered into your mouth on a soft, pillowy cloud?”
S3E7: “BEACH HOUSE”
“Longing for a vacation with friends? Prepare for a reality check with this episode, reminding us that trips never live up to the hype. It captures the essence of spending time with old friends who sometimes grate on your nerves, featuring unforgettable drunk Shoshanna telling off everyone while wearing a baby pink sweatsuit. Feel the catharsis of truth bombs, encounters with less-than-ideal gay boyfriends, and the bittersweet realisation of friendships drifting apart. I’ve revisited this episode over 50 times, and its charm never wanes.”
S4E2: “TRIGGERING”
“As Hannah embarks on her post-undergrad college journey at the Iowa Writers Workshop, the weight of expectations threatens to crush her spirit. Amidst peers who ‘hate her whole thing’ and the stark difference between the quaint Iowa campus and the bustling NYC she’s used to, Hannah struggles to adapt. Yet amidst the chaos, a glimmer of hope emerges – a colossal college party promises a brief escape from her troubles. With her gay best friend Elijah at her side, Hannah sees a chance to let loose and momentarily shed her burdens. If you’re feeling misunderstood and longing for a companion like Elijah to forget it all with, this is the perfect watch to lift your spirits.”
S5E3: “JAPAN”
“In the mood to drop everything and move to a new country to avoid all your problems? Live vicariously through Shoshanna as she dives headfirst into the chaos, comedy and romance of Japan. Destination episodes like this are the cherry on top of your binge-watching sundae, serving up a delicious blend of highs and lows.”
S5E6: “THE PANIC AT CENTRAL PARK”
“If you’re craving a cinematic experience in a pinch, check out the acclaimed episode: ‘Panic At Central Park’. Widely understood as ‘THE BEST EPISODE OF GIRLS’ it’s a perfect episode to revisit. Marnie’s unexpected reunion with her ex-boyfriend Charlie leads to a whirlwind night of dancing, robbery, and falling in a river. If you’re ever missing an old flame, this episode is the perfect medicine. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll be thankful you don’t share a communal bathroom.”
S6E2: “HOSTAGE SITUATION”
“Later seasons of shows always have fun getting a little freaky with it. Enter ‘Wemon’, a group of female entrepreneurs hosting events in WeWork spaces, a scenario straight out of a Buzzfeed employee’s dream. Here’s a listicle rundown of the craziness in this episode, which will have you saying ‘GIRLLLL!’
- Desi’s Simon and Garfunkel reference takes a psychosexual turn.
- Shoshanna catfishes Elijah into becoming a gay assistant.
- An Athletic Denim Company is born on an NYU Spring Break trip to Aruba (good luck finding ‘athletic denim’ today).
- Shoshanna sports Saturn rings as earrings.
- Marnie crushes Oxy in her red Keds.
- Desi snorts glass and Oxy off a hardwood floor.
- Desi coins the term ‘Cunt Parade’.
- A woman survives hitting the third rail, inspiring her to move to Northern Westchester – because nothing says ‘fresh start’ like a near-death experience.
- Marnie somehow knows stick shift.
- Hannah gets a free tea set for rejecting mood stabilisers and therapy sessions.”
S6E3: “AMERICAN BITCH”
“Sexuality’s moral complexities take a backseat in ‘American Bitch’, which serves as a cultural companion to Season 2’s ‘One Man’s Trash’ in Girls’ exploration of turbulent twenties narratives. Unlike the series’ usual open-ended conclusions, ‘American Bitch’ stands as a rare definitive episode. Matthew Rhys portrays Chuck Palmer, a charming author facing sexual misconduct allegations. The story unfolds through Hannah’s encounter with him and her subsequent article for a literary website, embodying the essence of the #MeToo Movement before its widespread recognition. Despite predating the movement’s peak, the episode remains a nuanced portrayal of its necessity, highlighting the human aspect often overlooked in media depictions. Lena Dunham masterfully narrates the tale of a woman seduced by a charismatic man, only to be manipulated and exposed to his dark reality, leaving a lasting impact that’s hard to shake.”