I cannot remember the last time a television show left me unable to sleep.
Up until this week, I had been largely underwhelmed by season six of Girls. It felt as though the characters were moving further away from me, becoming millennial caricatures rather than complex characters. Hannah’s inability to read social cues felt more exaggerated and borderline gimmicky. At the end of the first two episodes I felt unsatisfied; had it lost it’s magic? Why wasn’t I feeling understood?
Then I heard whispers of episode three. “‘American Bitch,'” I read, “is one of Girls’ most challenging episodes to date.” According to Slate, this was the episode that “proves this show is still brilliant.”
Mia Freedman, Monique Bowley and Jessie Stephens discuss the show you absolutely must watch this weekend. Post continues below.
‘American Bitch’, is what the television world calls a ‘bottle episode’. It’s self contained, unrelated to the episodes either side of it, reminiscent of a think piece or a short masterful play. This is not an episode of television – it’s a work of art.
Hannah Horvath, played by Lena Dunham, has been summoned to the house of wildly successful author, Chuck Palmer.
We soon discover why. Hannah has written an article on a “niche feminist website”, supporting claims by a female blogger that Chuck forced a number of college-age women into sexual acts without their consent.
Chuck attempts to reason with her – and it must be said, quite convincingly. He works in an industry where men are routinely sabotaged by younger female writers desperately looking for a “story”.
Top Comments
I'm so glad you wrote about this. I found this episode amazing especially when he called her beautiful and running which he admitted was how he coercived the other girl. I kept wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt especially when his daughter rocks up but no. I felt so angry and manipulated at the end.
Oh Claire I can't tell you just how much I thought the same things watching this episode!!! The uncomfortable feeling I had the whole time Hannah was wandering around his appartment was palpable. I was uneasy because I knew where it was going, I knew what he was doing, I could see Hannah thinking it - then changing her read on the situation - then bang there it was. She was angry with herself for falling for it. I was angry with Hannah for falling for it!
It's a life lesson to never forget.