Zeitgeisting TV: 'Girls' and 'Looking' : Episodes 7

EDGE editors Jason St. Amand and Robert Nesti comment on this week's episodes of HBO's "Girls" and "Looking."

This week, episodes 7 of the current seasons.

"Looking"

Jason St. Amand, National News Editor:

I thought "Looking For a Plot" was one of the best episodes in the entire "Looking" series. Maybe it was because it was mostly about Doris, and that Agust�n wasn't in this episode and that Patrick and Dom were (for the most part) being the best versions of themselves.

Doris finds out her father passed away and herself, Dom and Patrick go back to Dom and Doris' hometown for the funeral. I'm not sure Patrick even belonged in this episode, and I think it may have been more effective if it were just about Doris and Dom reconnecting in dusty old Modesto, Calif., but he did act like vehicle for us as an outsider.

Still, Patrick was on his best behavior (except breaking down and crying like a lunatic at the funeral) and was sweet to Doris (although I think he mostly wanted to go to the funeral not really for Doris but to get out of the city and away from all of his personal drama bullshit, which is kind of gross).

Anyway, it was great to see Doris cope with death. Any Doris time is great but putting her in a situation like this was wonderful. Even the darkest times don't change her personality. Of course she's sad but she's still able to have a good time and be pessimistically delightful and funny. Patrick asks her about growing up and her childhood and we learn a lot about why Doris is the way that she is: her mother is an alcoholic and mentally abuse Doris.

"Looking For a Plot" makes us look at Doris from a different angle, giving her a complexity I really admire. The scene when she and Dom look at her dead father is touching. We expect Doris to freak out and cry, but she cuts it down with a joke, saying how she hats the suit he's wearing and that her aunt is too cheap to buy a new one. She even says he has too much makeup on and looks like a drag queen. When she recalls other stories about her dad, how he loved to give thumbs up, she never goes there and never cries; continuing to hide behind humor. Even Patrick cracks before Doris and balls at the funeral after Doris' aunt Sarah gives a moving eulogy.

We also learn about Doris and Dom's old relationship - they used to be more than fag and hag - they used to be lovers in high school when Dom was still confused about his sexuality. This happens while the trio is in the pool of a motel and eat KFC chicken, which is basically the visual equivalent of how I feel anytime I visit my hometown.

Another perfect scene was when the three go to the small, sad and lonely gay bar and get drunk. Patrick sees, whom he projects to be a sad lonely gay guy sitting at the bar, and pities him. Of course, karma slaps him in the face as the dude's boyfriend shows up and the two kiss and hug. I also loved this scene because of the three of them dancing alone in the empty dance floor. Sure, it wasn't pivotal to the episode, but I can't tell you how many times I've returned home and ended up with just a few friends on a desolate gay club dance floor.

Patrick, Doris and Dom also visit Dom's father's grave (after visiting his father's old restaurant, which has since been turned into a moderately successful local donut shop) but Dom is unable to locate the actual tombstone. In another touching moment, Dom says he's upset that he never got to come out to his father. They then decide to get into the car, with Patrick driving, so Dom can stick his head out the window and yell to the entire cemetery that he's gay, hoping that his father's grave is in earshot.

The moment takes a sharp turn when a car plunges into the gang's car. The scene then cuts to a hospital waiting room where Doris reveals to Dom that her father left her a chunk of money that she wants to use to invest in Dom's chicken restaurant. She gives a touching speech about family and how she wouldn't want the money to go towards anything else.

But one of the best moments was when Doris finally breaks down and cries - it's when her boyfriend(???) Malik comes to the hospital to see her.

Though this is mostly Doris' episode, the ending becomes all about Patrick (barf) as Kevin is waiting on his front steps to tell him he's left Jon to be with him because he's so in love with him. Yippie! It felt like a weird place to tack this on but I guess it just builds up suspense for next week's episode, which I'm sure will be all about Patrick and Kevin starting their new relationship.

Robert Nesti, National Arts and Entertainment Editor:

After last week's high drama of Patrick having his diva moment at his Halloween party, it was right time to take the characters out of S.F. It did, though, come in an unexpected way: Doris losing her dad. I agree that Patrick going along with Doris and Dom was unnecessary, though he did acknowledge it was a way for him to get away from dealing with his own shit. And it gave viewers a show a respite from dealing with Patrick's largely self-inflicted drama.

What I liked best about the episode - and the trajectory of this season - is how it is bringing Doris more fully into the mix. This began with the season opener at the Russian River where she was integral to the action. Her part has been nicely beefed up in ways that have made her as important as the three main protagonists, Patrick, Dom and Agustin.

It also gave context to her relationship with Dom, which was always a bit hazy. For some reason, I thought they were related; actually they are childhood friends that dated (and fucked) in high school and got out of Modesta, California, their hometown that may be best-known as the home of Frito-Lay.

The quite beautiful eulogy delivered by Doris's aunt (the great Mary Kay Place) left Patrick bereft, which was a bit odd considering his peripheral role in the event; yet made sense considering how he hasn't dealt with own shit. The show also nicely textured Dom having his own moment when coming out to a high school friend and (by inference) acknowledging that he hasn't done much with his life. When he couldn't find his dad's grave, it only underscored how far he's traveled from Modesta. I loved how he "came out" to his dad - shouting that he was gay as they rode out of the cemetery.

Like in "Girls," a car accident proved pivotal to this week's episode. In this case Patrick was slightly injured. While Dom and Doris waited for him to be released from the hospital, Doris tells Dom that she's giving him the money her father left her, which will be enough for him to open his chicken storefront restaurant. In a way it changed the dynamic of their friendship - it is obvious that she's moving on with Malik and that Dom is going to play a lesser role in her life; but he's still an important part in her life.

As for Kevin and Patrick? The moment they reconnect seemed a bit forced. Like was Kevin waiting at Patrick's doorstep all night? Yet it was delicately written and directed with both actors at the top of their game, giving it an authenticity that isn't apparent in any plot recap. I love the chemistry between Tovey and Groff and Andrew Haigh (who directed this episode) knows how to mine it.

"Girls"

Jason St. Amand, National News Editor:

First off, I just really loved seeing Hannah thrive as a teacher. It made me happy to see this character, who is otherwise a self-absorbed jerk in her own world and a total scatterbrain weirdo who shouldn't be trusted with a plant much less children, really connect with the students and be a cool teacher. She seemed like the teacher who would really make an impact on you and care to go the extra mile.

But what's better, is that it was clear she was enjoying herself, much more than any of the other jobs we've seen her attempt. And to make things even better, Hannah meets the charming Fran (Jake Lacey from "Obvious Child," which is super-fitting), a history teacher at the school. Awesome! Things couldn't be going better for you girl! Get it! Great new job, cool new man! Wow!

Of course, that only lasts a short while. The two go out for drinks and hit it off but then Hannah suggests they go to an art show, which had me going from rooting for Hannah to hiding under my covers. This is where the Hannah we know and despite comes out to play: the art show happens to be that of Mimi-Rose, Adam's new girlfriend.

Though Fran goes along with going to the show, called "Ask Me My Name" (that also happens to be the episode title) and is a good sport about the whole thing, Adam understandably freaks out. Hannah acts like bringing a guy on a first date to your ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend's art show is no big deal. Fran puts up with it and tries to make light of the situation but soon realizes he's being used and rightfully peaces out.

Then Hannah admits that she's not sure what she's doing at the art show and that's when the sociopathic Mimi-Rose comes over to say hello. Of course, because she is devoid (or incredibly manipulative) of understanding human emotions (or both), she invites Hannah, and her "ex-partner" Ace (Zachary Quinto) to a bar.

Much to everyone's chagrin, Mimi-Rose convinces everyone to split into two cabs: Hannah and Mimi-Rose in one and Ace and Adam in the other. It's an incredibly stressful scene as Ace flat-out tells Adam that Mimi-Rose is manipulative and this whole relationship is a game they play in which he gets her back (He says this while chewing on a toothbrush, which was a really nice touch). Meanwhile, the super-evolved Mimi-Rose tries to get Hannah to critique her art show and have an open conversation about their feelings. Hannah is disgusted and freaked out and asks the cab driver to take a turn down a side street where of course he hits an old woman. This leads to Hannah and Mimi-Rose talk more and sort of bond.

She tells Hannah she can have Adam but it all sounds robotic and weird; something an alien would think to speak to a person in Hannah's situation.

I though the dialogue in this episode was top-notch, making this one of the best episodes of "Girls" this season. I could go on and on about this episode but I've shared enough. Everyone was stellar in their parts as well and it's like all of the stars aligned for "Ask Me My Name."

Robert Nesti, National Arts and Entertainment Editor:

I agree - it was one of the best episodes this season: funny, yet insightful into the psychological dynamics of these characters. Hannah seemed perfect as the substitute teacher - the kind that kids would likely remember well after their real one returned. That she tied Oedipus' relationship to mother with the term MILF was hilarious.

Though Hannah was up to her old tricks, which are to put her feelings behind a fa�ade of coolness. She clearly isn't over Adam, yet tried to act like she was; and her taking the unsuspecting Fran to Mimi-Rose's opening only underscored her self-absorption. Why would she not tell Fran about the situation she was bringing him into? In all likelihood, it never occurred to her.

That art opening, with its digs at performance art and those that indulge in it, was perfect. Especially funny was the role-playing the attendees were supposed to indulge in. Yet the real-life role-playing soon eclipsed the fictional one when Adam freaked at seeing Hannah and Fran ducked out. That Hannah remained seemingly oblivious only added to the surreal subtext. Add the ditsy Ace (played to hipster perfection by Zachary Quinto) and the machinations of Jessa (who wants Ace for herself) and you had the makings of nasty confrontation.

Why that didn't happen may have to do with the bonding of Mimi-Rose and Hannah, a surprisingly real moment given the set-up: they end up in a Laundromat after that weirdly funny taxi accident. I am not so sure how genuine Mimi-Rose was, but I could see how Hannah would believe her spiel about turning her personal belief system into art. What was especially funny was when Hannah attempted to apply M-R's beliefs in the real-world when she asked the fast food employee his name and he ignored her. It was back to reality for Hannah as she hit the street and threw M-R's apron (a prop from the art show that Hannah refused to take off) into the trash.

This story is part of our special report: "Zeitgeisting TV". Want to read more? Here's the full list.