1. Marnie hosts the girls at a beach house: Everyone has noticed the disconnect between the girls this season, even Marnie. As a way to take control, Marnie invites the others on a sort of grown–up retreat for the weekend, with scheduled healing time that is totally sure to fix all of their deeply rooted issues.
2. Hannah refuses to wear anything but a teal bikini: About five minutes into the episode Hannah has thrown her swimsuit on and there is no looking back. It’s a bit of a throwback to the yellow mesh top of seasons past and it is equal parts fantastic and awkward.
3. Elijah is back, with fabulous friends: And who does Hannah run into in town but her gay ex–boyfriend? As the one who “started” the rift between Hannah and Marnie when he slept with Marnie, Elijah is back. He too is having a “girls” weekend with a crew of Broadway men. Hannah invites the gents over to diffuse the tension between herself and Marnie. Marnie is, of course, upset that her weekend isn’t going exactly as planned.
4. Drunken conversations: There are a lot of painful drunken conversations this weekend. Most of them hurt because they likely resonate with our lives, and any time we see a hint of ourselves in “GIRLS” it just makes everyone sad.
5. Shosh kills it: As with all dysfunctional gatherings this one soon dissolves into arguments and Shoshanna comes out the clear winner. Her own life is far from perfect or praiseworthy but she calls Hannah, Marnie and Jessa out individually for why they all are the actual worst.
So far, the season had been floating, but the climax of this episode finally got it moving in a direction. Here’s hoping the downward spiral that is sure to continue is worth the buildup.
Check out our other Girls Season 3 Recaps!
"Only Child" (Aired on 02.01.2014)
"She Said OK" (Aired 01.19.2014)
