
For a while, it seemed like it was never going to happen. Everyone who watched The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl knew Issa was headed for greatness, but watching her road to success was more painful than that scene in Misery with Kathy Bates going ham on James Caan’s foot.
First, there was the arrival of iamOther (Pharrell’s entertainment entity) on Issa’s rising star, as Pharrell tried to attach his star to hers. That kept the series alive, but it didn’t (at least directly) take Issa to the next level other than some mild publicity.
Second, Shonda Rhimes, or as I like to call her, QueenTV, tried to make Issa mainstream with a show concept that was sold to Disney, aka the Mouse House, in 2012–but that Issa Rae project inevitably ended up getting scrapped almost as fast it came to be.
Third, it took getting together with someone from the not-really-all-that-funny Nightly Show, aka Larry Wilmore, to get a deal with HBO in 2013, but that stalled for what seemed like forever.
Fourth, there was Issa’s spot on the (still running?) Exhale, a talkshow launched by Magic Johnson’s Aspire cable network. And you know how well Magic Johnson and talkshows go together. Finally, in February of 2015, after 2 years, HBO gave Issa and Wilmore the greenlight to make a pilot, which got the series order 8 months later, and a show by the name of Insecure, was on TV a year after that.
Thankfully, not unlike in that scene from Misery, the pain is well behind us. But in the spirit of Insecure’s return this Sunday (along with our live tweeting of the show!!!), we thought we’d re-live each episode to get you all caught up on Season 1 of Insecure and ready for the start of what I hope is going to be an amazing second season!
Episode #1: Insecure As Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: We learn who Issa is. In doing so, we find out she lacks a lot of self confidence, doesn’t necessarily do well when confronted, and is just about as socially awkward as her character from her web series. In the beginning, you get the feeling she’s your prototypical, down-on-your-luck protagonist. But after a reassuring moment at work and unassuring Redbox and a movie offer from her boyfriend (I mean for real, the brotha can’t afford Netflix?), Issa dares to become “no fucks” Issa. This ends with her kissing a former lover (apparently, he bagged her?) during a Ross-Rachel-like (yes, some black people watched Friends even though no black people were on the show) “we’re on a break” separation from her boyfriend.
Highlight: On the humor front, the funniest moment of the show, and I’m pretty sure the season, was the “Broken Pussy” freestyle Issa put on. I couldn’t stop laughing when you she had the, “Oh, wait! They feeling me. I’m feeling me,” moment in between bars…quickly followed by a walking banghead bounce across the stage, complete with an all teeth smile of sheer delight for her shine.
Foreshadowing: After realizing the kiss from Daniel wasn’t all she thought it would be, Issa goes back to Molly’s to apologize with a bag of cheetos and some ranch (is this something we do?). You immediately get the feeling that they’ve done the whole fight and make-up a thing a lot as friends…but perhaps the iterations were beginning to over accumulate.
Episode #2: Messy As Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: Now that the characters and their journeys have more or less been established, we start to see where things are headed. Issa, as about that “no fucks” life as she claimed to be, still is very confused about her relationship with Lawrence and is ignoring Daniel’s text messages. And after feeling empowered about some new control she garnered at her job in episode 1, she badly “messes” up her presentation at work, leading to a career conversation with her boss. Issa’s fatal flaw, to this point, appears to be an ability to think things through, which is crazy given her in-mirror rap sessions. We do learn a little bit more about Lawrence, his failed start-up, and his general down-on-luck societal position. Oddly enough, it seems to resemble that of Issa’s, just with less money. And so, I guess to no surprise, Issa ends up going back home to Lawrence, where they share some jokes and an awkward silence.
Highlight: We get to meet “Thug Yoda,” Lawrence and Issa’s downstairs neighbor, who appears to be a member of the Bloods, and tells his daughter that they don’t use any C-words in their lexicon. On top of assuming Lawrence’s lack of “putting it down” caused Issa to move away, Thug Yoda does let Lawrence know that if things don’t work out for Lawrence, he’s got bitches for him. A friend in need, is a friend indeed.
Foreshadowing: After blowing her presentation, Issa and Frieda come up with the idea to take their kids (the ones in their program, not their own) to the beach, after we learn Molly, who grew up in the hoods of LA, had never been. Speaking of Molly, after a few bad dates and a vagacial that apparently Drayapumped up for the gram, she bumps into the light-skinned brotha from the club…connection maybe?
Episode #3: Racist as Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: In her career, Issa sees the non-black doubters come for her with secret white emails and meetings begrudging her beach event for the kids. In the end though, the event turns out to be amazingly successful, and all of her co-workers try to saddle up next to her success–particularly, the “brown” lady acts like she wasn’t one of the ones coming for Issa. Frieda (her mad aggressive and too comfortable co-working teammate) even apologies, and we can see that Issa may be building up a bit of an interracial friendship. On the homefront, Lawrence is trying, but the work Gods aren’t having it (I’ve been there, brotha!). He ends up taking a job at Best Buy (because Lord knows you don’t “get” a job at Best Buy), and confessing to Issa that he hasn’t been himself. Issa admits she’s been a part of the problem, and as a symbol of them moving on, they get rid of the couch they had upon moving in with one another. Molly, on the other hand, is still messy. She turns down what had appeared to be a growing relationship with light-skinned brotha from the club (aka Jared), for an opportunity at using “The League” dating app to find men on her own “level,” because after all, these “niggas are going to disappear.”
Highlight: (1) White guy at beach walks up to Issa and says, “Why don’t more of them (i.e. black kids) swim?” Issa: “Slavery.” (2) Kelli telling Molly that Jared’s penis is so hard, that she could hang her coat on it…her heavy coat…and it’s not even winter.
Foreshadowing: Lawrence goes to cash his unemployment check at a black-owned bank. Mind you, speaking as a brotha that has been on unemployment, you don’t opt for actual checks–particularly if you are a “tech guy”–it’s called direct deposit, Lawrence–no wonder why you’ve been messing up man! Secondly, this is the scene where a lot of (dare I say, “black”…?) women think Lawrence was “approached” by Tasha. Yes, she was overtly friendly, but had she been an 80-year old, overweight, white woman in khakis, we would’ve thought she was just being nice, not hitting on my man Lawrence. In my humble (male) opinion, she did no wrong. Yeah, she likes him, but there was no flirting. She wouldn’t disrespect the job like that!
Episode #4: Thirsty as Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: Issa is picking things up in her career, and they are quickly planning a career day. While planning it, Daniel shows up on the job, unannounced–something no man or woman should ever do! Thus, when the career day is down a creative speaker, Frieda suggests Daniel, whom she met during his pop-up visit, as a replacement. Issa begrudgingly, but not so begrudgingly, gets Daniel to do it. During his session with the kids, whom he entertains with this musical prowess very well, Daniel tells them about Issa’s foray at an open mic a couple weeks back. On the homefront, Issa and Lawrence buy a new couch, but still see themselves in an older white couple’s debate over the purchase of a lotion pump–something the wife was right about (there’s no need for a lotion pump, lotion already comes in pump form!). The new couch is emblematic of the fresh start Issa and Lawrence are on. Meanwhile, we see Lawrence at the Best Buy job, which he hates, but during lunch, Tasha (the character black women love to hate) pumps up his ego yet again. I can see where folks think she crossed the line here, but I think this is a cultural thing. I don’t know that folks outside black American culture are AS concerned about the mixed-gender platonic relationships of their significant others. With Molly, she turns down a request from a partner to be the “house” negro for the firm, resulting in Rasheeda (aka Dada) getting a seemingly stern talking to from the partners. At least a new love interest looks promising.
Highlight: This was the first time in the mirror where Issa wasn’t rapping or alone. Now, in a dream sequence, Daniel and Ty Dolla Sign make an appearance in her fantasy about being with Daniel. I didn’t know the brotha Ty Dolla Sign could carry an acapella tune like that.
Foreshadowing: For many, the lunch between Tasha and Lawrence was a sign that they would get together. But what really happened? The exchange of some hot sauce and some good advice is what goes for flirting these days, huh? I guess I’ve been out the game too long. I will admit, they shared some interesting smiles. On the flip side, Molly appears to have a fatal flaw. When she presses a date, that’s going extremely well, about not having texted her when he got home so she’d know he was safe, it was clear she was lacking in self-awareness about how fast or aggressive she should be in pursuing a relationship.
Episode #5: Shady as Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: Molly is busy self-sabotaging her relationships. She pesters one guy about not texting her that he got home safely. And she badgers another about going to an engagement party and leaving a suit behind at her house for extended stays. These are all traveling violations and technicals in the game of basketball dating, especially during the first few dates. Molly ends up at Jared’s house, drunk, and much to his (angered) surprise. Issa and Lawrence, again, appear to be headed in the right direction…to the point where they can see themselves in a nearby couple that’s arguing over a lotion pump, but are aware and connected enough to laugh about it. However, when a video of Issa rapping about “broken pussies” surfaces on the internet, Issa must focus on bringing it down or risk losing her job. Daniel tries to help her, but they still don’t find it. Issa ends up spending time at his studio where negroes are smoking AND drinking (something you should refrain from partaking in as someone in a committed relationship). Issa and Daniel end up having some real talk moments and ultimately end up having sex. When she walks into the bathroom, she doesn’t see the shame and deception in her face when looking into the mirror smiling–not until she sees a lotion pump on the sink.
Highlight: When Lawrence is out with his boy, who is constantly talking fast and blowing past what other negroes have to say, Lawrence ask him what was it that made him decide that he wanted to marry his new girl? Boy’s response: something about when you know you know…”plus, the head is crazy.”
Foreshadowing: Tasha shows up at Best Buy–talking about she’s there for some batteries for her computer (batteries for your computer though? Girl, bye.). She asks Lawrence out for drinks after work. Now this, ladies (ehemm), is her officially crossing the line. Of course, anybody could’ve seen this coming, but at the same time, she could’ve just as easily had moved on without making this thirsty move. Speaking of moving on, Lawrence did turn her down, but he seemed flattered…especially as Tasha walked away.
Episode #6: Guilty as Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: After cheating on her man with Daniel, Issa comes home to tell Lawrence what happened, and slaps her to the ground–except he didn’t, because that was a dream/nightmare, and Issa never told him. Instead, she avoids sex, starts to cry, and overcompensates the next day by making a breakfast that would make 9 out of 10 brothas propose. Which is probably why Lawrence ends up taking Issa to a jeweler, but when Issa has visions of her sexual encounter with Daniel, she runs out. On the job side, Issa proposes another idea that her boss loves, but is unable to focus as she worries about telling Lawrence about what happened. When she meets with Molly to learn that Molly broke up with Jared because of a past homosexual encounter, Issa confesses to having sex with Daniel. I can’t understand for the life of me why Molly would then tell her not tell Lawrence, but she does. Issa rushes home and has sex with Lawrence, in what can only be described as I’m sorry sex, minus the sorry.
Highlight: The way Molly grills Jared about his homosexual experience is pretty funny, as if the degree to which he had relations with another man was going to calm her nerves.
Foreshadowing: At the end of the episode, after receiving I’m sorry, not sorry, sex from Issa, Lawrence bumps into her phone and finds a message from Daniel. Lawrence may be broke, but he ain’t dumb.
Episode #7: Real as Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: Issa’s big fundraiser is here, and she has apparently been given full control of the event. Everything goes smoothly, as Issa raises a ton of money, the kids have fun, and even her co-workers are impressed by the location. However, Daniel shows up to the event, while Lawrence is there. Molly tries to run interference, but Lawrence ends up seeing the conversation between Daniel and Issa, in which she basically calls Daniel a “random-ass nigga.” Lawrence l0w-key, runs up on Daniel and asks how Daniel’s connected to the fundraiser. Daniel’s “I’m not anymore” comment raises his suspicion. Before heading home, Issa and Molly duke it out, with each of them calling one another other out on their shit (Issa cheating on her man and complaining about her jobs for years; Molly for setting her standards too high and being too hard to please). This causes Molly to run over to Jared’s house unannounced (yet again), but he’s not having it this time. When Issa gets home, Lawrence. who is fresh off landing a new job, flat out asks Issa about Daniel. When it’s clear Issa has slept with Daniel, we see Lawrence the angriest he’s been since he spotted Issa in the Rite Aid buying travel painties. He walks out, leaving a crying Issa on the floor.
Highlight: I’m going to talk about this more in a deeper recap, but the idea that Kelli gave $500, when she ain’t really got $500, to a friend’s job, is very illuminating to me. I’m all for charitable giving, and of course, giving a little something-something makes all the sense in the world. But $500, that you don’t have, to an organization your people ain’t running? Whew! I need them kind of friends in my life!
Foreshadowing: Both Issa and Molly have their lives turned upside down in this episode. The last episode is either going to be them getting their lives all the way back together, or an extension of the roads they’ve chosen!
Episode #8: Broken As Fuck (Full Recap)
Main Plot: In the season finale, Issa tags along on Kelli’s birthday trip after Lawrence is constantly ignoring her pleas for forgiveness. On the trip, the girls challenge themselves to go buck wild, and Molly accepts. But as Molly claims to have reinvented herself, Tiffany and Kelli go off on her, claiming she’s the same mess she’s always been. Issa comes to her defense (after all, Molly isn’t a mess, she’s just bad with men), and as a result, Molly offers to drive her home at 1am in the morning to meetup with Lawrence, who has now agreed to talk with her. However, when Lawrence arrives at the apartment after a night out at the strip club trying to find his masculinity, he takes his stuff, leaving Issa to find nothing of his but a Best Buy t-shirt hanging in the closet. In fact, as Issa stares at the shirt, Lawrence is out having sex with (guess who?) Tasha, after realizing his potential “marketability” and turning down a striper’s $200/$400 offer. It’s official, they’re relationship is as done as a whistle.
Highlight: (1) Kelli (my favorite), simply because it’s her birthday and they’re playing “We Did Say,” telling Tiffany, “fuck your marriage.” (2) Chad (Lawrence’s “best friend”) calling L an “R&B, singing all your feelings type of nigga.”
Foreshadowing: Issa and Molly have made up, with both of them admitting their flaws, something neither really did when they tried to institute changes in their lives in the first 2 episodes. With the reality that they are flawed said out loud, whatever approach they take in Season 2, should lead them to make better decisions. As for Issa and L’s relationship, him having sex with Tasha is probably just the beginning. A man who’s been down on his luck and out of the game suddenly getting a little money in his pocket is a dangerous thing on these streets. Watch out LA ladies!
