Episode Title: 'Leave Me Alone'
Writer: Lena Dunham and Bruce Eric Kaplan
Director: Richard Shepard
"This is like, the most 'SATC'" says Shoshonna (Zosia Mamet) at a book party the girls are attending. It's an appropriate and somewhat meta comparison, as 'Girls' has often been compared to that other HBO show about four women in the big city.
Hannah, Jessa, Marnie and Shoshanna are on hand to celebrate the release of Hannah's former classmate, Tally's memoir, "Leave Me Alone." According to Hannah (Lena Dunham), Tally was lucky enough to have her boyfriend commit suicide, thus giving her ample material for the book. To hear it from Tally (Jenny Slate), the writing "just poured out of her," like "water-birthing her truth." Hannah makes it plain that she hates the girl and I can't blame her.
After Tally excuses herself to schmooze and poop, Hannah is approached by her old writing teacher, Prof. Goldman (Michael Imperioli). He soothes Hannah's bruised ego, telling her she's a much better writer than Tally and invites her to a reading the following night. However, Hannah says turns down the offer, claiming readings aren't her thing.
The next day, Hannah tells Marnie (Allison Williams) it's time to start taking chances and decides to attend the reading. However, Marnie suggests Prof. Goldman is interested in more than Hannah's writing. It's not surprising considering where Marnie's head is at this days, post-break-up.
Always the supportive one, Adam (Adam Driver) says he won't be going as he thinks readings are "bullsh**." And he couldn't even take a break from doing crunches to say this.
Meanwhile, Katherine (Kathryn Hahn) stops by Jessa's place to ask her to return to babysitting her daughters. In the end, the two realize it's not a good idea but Katherine insists she wants to help Jessa (Jemima Kirke). Head-strong and free-spirited, Jessa doesn't think she needs help. But Katherine cuts right to the heart of it, telling Jessa she gets into trouble as a distraction from dealing with her own life. Once again, Jessa appears dumbfounded after getting smacked in the face with the truth.
That night at the reading, Hannah forgoes sharing her personal essay about the compulsive hoarder she dated in college and instead reads a piece she wrote on the subway about the boyfriend of six months she met on IM who killed himself.
Needless to say, the gravity of his death doesn't have the effect Hannah was hoping for. Afterwards, an old lady suggests she write about Chris Hansen baiting lonely men on 'To Catch a Predator.' To make things worse, Prof. Goldman tells Hannah the piece didn't work for him. Not one to take criticism well, Hannah makes a hasty exit.
Upon arriving home, Hannah looks to Marnie for a sympathetic ear, but after paying the rent and all the bills, Marnie's had enough of their one-sided relationship. She accuses Hannah of being selfish and judgmental. Hannah throws the same accusations right back at Marnie. In truth, both are right.
The fight escalates to bringing up embarrassing childhood secrets and throwing toothbrushes. Marnie tells Hannah she doesn't want to live with her anymore. In reality, it seems neither can deal with seeing their own problems in each other. Each accuses the other of being a bad friend, but it seems like a mother is what both girls really want.
In fact, of the foursome, Shoshanna is the only girl willing to look at herself. She proudly tells Jessa about her plans to go on an internet date after coming to terms with her own mortality. It might not mark the first day of the rest of her life but it's an earnest step forward after taking stock of her own situation -something her three BFFs could benefit greatly from.
