As a former athlete and current theater enthusiast, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions while watching this week’s episode. The Whitney/Isaiah/Canaan love triangle had me reminiscing about my own high school drama, albeit with less famous basketball players involved.

Friends, we’re now six episodes into the current season of “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” and I find myself compelled to voice my thoughts. What on earth is happening at Essex University? I’m not referring to the narrative threads of the show, but rather, as an institution. Things seem quite peculiar there. For instance, they have a prestigious constitutional law professor, yet no math department? Does Essex even offer law degrees? Furthermore, how can Bela maintain her Financial Aid status with a 1.7 GPA? Normally, I don’t get so caught up in the details of fictional colleges, but given my background in higher education spanning almost a decade, I find myself constantly questioning Essex and fearing for its accreditation.

In the room, Kacey is carefully arranging her rehearsal attire, wanting to look adorable for her brief line. At last, Kimberly poses a question I’ve been eagerly waiting to hear: Which musical is it? It’s an original production, blending popular tunes from various musical theater pieces. I can hardly wait to learn how they manage that! However, my enjoyment is disrupted by Taylor, who seems to be lounging in their shared room, causing annoyance among the group. Taylor, you see, has been experiencing difficulties with her roommate, so Bela has given her a key. Later on, Taylor confesses to Arvind that living with her feels like sharing a space with a British stand-up comedian. This continuous exchange with Taylor is becoming rather tedious for me! Isn’t there another student at FAF who requires Bela’s assistance? I implore you.

It’s Halloween too, a time when college campuses seem to lose all sense of propriety or restraint. The KJ house party is the campus Halloween event, and it was great to see Whitney still participating in that group! I’m also happy that Jocelyn is asking the important questions: can she wear a bare-breasted costume? Thank goodness! Canaan arrived late, and it was wonderful to watch as everyone paused their meeting to discuss this issue and pressure him into apologizing. It seems like he and Whitney are going to attempt a friendship! I can already sense the formation of a love triangle, and my suspicions were confirmed when Whitney and Isaiah entered the gym and spotted Canaan. There was some court-ordered display of affection between them, and Whitney did her best to reassure Issiah that he had nothing to fear, but I’m not convinced!

At Essex Law (this will be my term for the law school where Kimberly seems to be enrolled), Kimberly feels intimidated by the arrogant classmates right off the bat. In the worst scenario imaginable, she falsely claims she worked for the Governor of Arizona. However, her lie is quickly exposed before she can finish speaking, and it’s so cringeworthy we need to switch topics immediately. It’s worth mentioning that Tig is excelling in her professor role, although I suspect asking her to be formal and wear a shirt with a collar might not be the most taxing task she’s ever faced.

I know that I am supposed to be paying attention to Kacey and Cooper flirting and him asking her out at rehearsal. I know that. But there is … so much bread on stage that I literally cannot focus on whatever they are doing. What is it doing there? How is the set done and on stage? Isn’t this the FIRST rehearsal? Is this an original musical about bread? Featuring songs from every other musical? WHAT DOES IT MEAN? If they don’t answer this over the course of the season, I will be furious! The point is, Kacey and Cooper are going on a date, and the girls convince her not to tell him she is a virgin. They have a very sweet date that ends with her running from him after he suggests watching John Wick in his room. As a woman who once told my coworkers I was “having chest pains” to get out of going to drinks, I understand failing to find a good excuse! I should have just run too, everyone was really worried! Chest pains are too serious to fake!

As long as Taylor continues to linger in their room, Bela decides to have lunch with Arvind to discuss costume ideas for couples. If given the chance, Arvind would choose to be “Hot Shrek,” but he agreed to perform FAF duties instead. Bela, known for being a disastrous FAF, is taken aback when she learns that Halloween is a significant night for these responsibilities. Girl, come on, wake up! Arvind proposes that Taylor might simply need a new hobby, and since her favorite pastime seems to be “dominating beautiful women,” Bela signs her up for a speed dating event for the LGBTQ+ community. This event, let me tell you, is quite an intense depiction of some aspects of queer dating. Taylor is subjected to discussions about past relationships and four-person polyamorous groups, eventually breaking down. “Is there anyone normal here? And why does everyone have a moon tattoo?” Bela inquires. Indeed, there is someone normal! Ash (played by the charming Ruby Cruz) has been eagerly waiting for Taylor all night. The reason everyone has a moon tattoo, you ask? Because the moon is a lesbian, of course. There is undeniable chemistry between them, and Bela can’t help but feel proud of her handiwork.

At Essex Law, Kimberly is making an effort to follow Professor Tig’s guidance. Despite being the youngest, she feels the need to demonstrate her capabilities to prevent her peers from continuing to challenge her. When Steve attempts to counter her point, Kimberly fiercely confronts him, implying that his father dislikes him and gives him money instead of showing affection. It was a harsh exchange that lasted for quite some time, until eventually, Steve left in tears. Professor Tig then tells her she had transformed from being the runt to being offensive, which is not appropriate language for professors to use towards students. However, Professor Tig became carried away with the rhythm of his words. I can relate! (Paraphrased)

Despite her disappointment, Kimberly seems unable to enjoy the KJ Halloween party. Does her Bernie Sanders at the 2020 Inauguration costume help lighten her mood? It’s unlikely, given that she’s dressed in mittens and a parka. I have to agree with Kacey here; perhaps dressing up cuter might cheer her up! Yet, Kimberly remains resolute (sigh), so her roommates resort to a pep talk instead. She is Kimberly Finkle! She doesn’t need to be timid or rude; she simply needs to be herself! Using her father as an example, she explains how difficulties like long lines and insufficient time to vote can hinder people. Steve attempts to counter with the idea of mail-in ballots, but Kimberly corrects him on the varying voting laws across states. Indeed, one would assume someone bound for Stanford Law would be aware of this detail, but at Essex Law, anything is achievable!

At the party, when Taylor arrives without a companion, Bela realizes her plans have failed, and in frustration, she demands that Taylor resolve her own living arrangement issue and return her key. Sigh. Although Bela is correct, she could use some improvement in how she expresses herself! She does express regret the following day, and eventually, Taylor admits that she’s been avoiding her roommate due to unrequited feelings. Her roommate, however, is straight. Bela understands and returns the key, but insists that Taylor be friendly towards those living there. Frankly, I’m tired of this ongoing tussle with Taylor, but I can’t imagine they only managed to get Ruby Cruz for one scene, right? She must reappear!

Following their date, Cooper tracks down Kacey while she’s taking a makeup test. Incredibly, this drama department has the resources to provide a complete fake nose for a character with just one line, but it’s worth it for this entire scene to unfold hilariously with the most amusing false nose and elderly makeup. Cooper is incredibly understanding about Kacey’s inexperience, and their kiss, despite the presence of the fake nose, remains endearing.

It turns out just as expected, the love triangle involving Whitney, Isaiah, and Canaan is intensifying! Just before Canaan heads out for a date, he gives Whitney a hug and touches her back in a manner that stirs her emotions … so she pulls Isaiah along. In my view, working through feelings for one person with another isn’t the healthiest approach, but we’ve all found ourselves in similar situations, haven’t we? Don’t we? She shares this predicament with Willow as they chat, and surprisingly it’s Willow who advocates that exes can’t be friends. I know that isn’t true! I am convinced that Willow identifies as queer, and being friends with an ex is actually the foundation of our community! Let’s face it!

As Whitney chases after the ball during the game, unfortunately, her knee twists in an unnatural direction. Ouch! Sports injuries like these make me really nervous, especially those affecting the knee. It turns out she’s torn her meniscus, and she has two choices: either rest for the season to heal or opt for a cortisone shot now. The shot choice means a prolonged recovery period, but she can still play this season. While her coach doesn’t explicitly force her to make the shot decision, it seems like he’s hinting at it subtly. This situation doesn’t appear to have a positive outcome, does it?

Office Hours

It was hilarious when Lila kept buying odd items on Instacart in search of her lost crush, making it a funny recurring joke throughout her stories. What I love most about her storylines is how she constantly manages to play tricks up her sleeve!

• “I think being lonely adds a lot to my sapphic yarn art.” Oh, Ginger, I know it does!

As a cinephile, I can’t shake off Professor Tig’s scathing critique of Kimberly’s tribute to RGB’s lace collar. His comparison to an Asian pear container will stick with me for quite some time.

Passionate about portraying Professor Dorfmann, played by Rebecca Wisocky, she flawlessly adhered to the director’s instructions, such as this one: “Regardless of how straightforward a line may seem, you must deliver it truthfully, with care and dedication. Consider what type of bread it represents! Perhaps ciabatta or rustic wheat?

• I will be thinking about the song selection for this Bread musical all week— “A Little Priest” has to feature, right?

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2024-12-27 06:54