Review: ‘Girls’ Season 4, Episode 6, ‘Close Up’: The Crew Comes Back Together
Amber Dowling
Love her or hate her
Love her. After weeks of questioning why everyone seemed to
be against her, Hannah finally began picking up the pieces of her life again.
Although the episode begins with the juxtaposition of complete bliss between
Adam and Mimi-Rose and Hannah’s depression over empty cereal, she rebounds by
the end, finding a new calling and attempting to help others in order to feel
good about herself once again. It’s the theme of the overall episode, as
everyone (save Jessa and Elijah) takes a good look at their current situation
and comes to a firm decision by episode’s end.
Another cringe-worthy
moment
Mimi-Rose’s abortion announcement was so nonchalant viewers
did a double take alongside Adam. Even though we have been conditioned to view
her character as an abstract one who has a level-headed approach to situations
that make most people freak out, it was a lot to take in one single setting.
Adam freaking out over not being included in the decision process was expected,
and probably warranted.
How many shots to
forget that time…
Elijah + briefs = morning scratch?
A realization
Marnie might top many most-hated “Girls” character
lists, but this week she came to some obvious conclusions about Dezi. Most of
us could see these two eventually fighting about the direction of the band,
since it never really seemed to have one at all, but watching Marnie be the
level headed side of an argument was a rarity. Having her admit later on to her
friends that she’s living with an asshole was her most grown up moment of the
season to date. (Her runner-up moment was breaking it off with Dezi in the
first place, but there seemed to be hidden motives there as well.) Speaking
of…
A growth spurt
For weeks Ray has been the Seinfeld of the group, obsessing
over the noise pollution problem in his area. This week he finally did
something about it, and actually thought his actions through before putting
them in motion. His art project and note cards were humorous in contrast to the
elementary school banner hanging in the auditorium, but by the time Ray got the
crowd riled up on the mike it was obvious this could be the job he was born to
do.
This week in
friendship
We haven’t seen all four girls together since the season
opener, so even though it was only for a brief lunch (in which everyone agreed
Hannah was the most selfish person they knew), it was a nice reminder that when
everyone is in a semi-agreeable mood there’s a reason they’re all actually
friends.
The Ritter effect
Shoshanna might not be getting any further along in her job
search, thanks to her brutal honesty, but this week’s soup-tastic disaster at
least scored her a date with the interviewer, as played by universal nice guy
Jason Ritter. Here’s hoping his calming influence has an effect on the
perpetually high-strung Shosh.
Book ends
The opening and closing montages between Adam and Mimi-Rose
answered most of our questions about what brought these two together in the
first place, and how they came to fall in love. While last week we were able to
feel sympathy for Hannah, this week it was Adam we felt for. For the first time
in his life he had someone who wanted him but didn’t need him, a sensation he
isn’t used to. But just when we thought the abortion news had put him over the
edge and he might go running back to Hannah, Mimi-Rose demonstrated she knows
how to handle Adam and bring him back into their little love nest. For now,
anyway.
Most telling quote
goes to…
“I didn’t want to talk about it beforehand, I just wanted to
do it.” – Mimi-Rose, encapsulating so many of the actions taken by characters
on this show in one little sentence.
Grade: B+
“Girls” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.
