My thoughts on the latest Insecure were getting a little too big for Tuesday Takes so they’re getting their own post! Let’s just jump right into it!
All consuming. Issa is all in on this block party! So much so that she forgot the job that gives her free rent. The water at the apartment building she manages was turned off which brought a group of angry residents to her door. She also hasn’t been able to spend much time with her friends, especially Molly. Organizing an event is a lot of work and there are often fires to put out (i.e. losing your headliner). Still, it’s great to see her fully invested and committed to a project. Issa had been missing that in her life.
The fraying continues. Issa and Molly’s friendship continues to strain. In addition to Molly being negative about the block party, they’re not communicating. The scene where they’re angling for a spot in front of Tiffany’s house is the perfect illustration of that. I do understand where Molly is coming from in a way. Issa has been so consumed with planning the block party that Molly feels forgotten. She has been wanting to vent about her relationship with Andrew but Issa has been too busy. When Issa called to ask her to ask Andrew to connect her with a LiveNation artist, Molly seemed to be hoping for a chance to talk/vent. So, it hurt when all Issa wanted was a favor. I understand her decision not to ask Andrew. They had just worked through an issue and she really wants to make it work. Asking him for a favor now might derail that progress. At the same time, not asking him is more evidence of her lack of support for the block party. Interestingly enough, Andrew was feeling like he was an afterthought for Molly. She was consumed by work and time with him was squeezed into her schedule when it was convenient for her. It’s similar to how Molly was feeling in her relationship with Issa. The difference is that Andrew talked to Molly about it. Issa and Molly just traded passive-aggressive barbs and talked to Kelly and Tiffany instead of each other. The contrast also illustrates how it seems to be easier for people to put in work for romantic relationships than for friendships. It’s almost expected for romantic relationships to take work while friendships are expected to be effortless. We’re sold this idea that romantic partners come and go but friendships are forever. I found out the hard way that friendships don’t always last forever. Some friendships aren’t able to withstand life events like going away to college, all-consuming romantic relationships, or having kids. People changing can also extinguish a friendship. Issa and Molly are experiencing a combination of both.
Tiffany’s birth experience. I would be remiss if I didn’t say anything about this. Tiffany had some complications during the birth of her daughter. She and her husband tried to tell the doctors that something was off but they didn’t listen. This happens to black mothers far too often with Serena Williams being the most famous example. The maternal mortality rate is 2.5 times higher for black women than for other groups. It’s one more health disparity, one more thing to worry about. It’s scary and it puts me off from having children (among other factors). It’s also a reminder that we have to continuously advocate for ourselves in healthcare settings.
Over so soon? Lawrence didn’t say it but I think it’s implied that his relationship with Condola is over. He hesitated when she asked him if he would have stayed with Issa if she didn’t cheat on him. Also, she isn’t returning Issa’s calls about the block party. I could be wrong but I think working with Issa could be too hard for her at this moment. If I’m right, Issa and Lawrence will be back together by the end of the season. However, I think Nathan will make a return before that happens. He did leave Issa a voicemail in this episode so maybe he’ll show up at the block party. I’m not opposed to Issa and Lawrence getting back together but I’m not actively rooting for it either.
Random. You can’t take Kelly anywhere! She was waiting for her opportunity to try that breast milk! I would love it if there was a deleted scene with her actually trying it.
That’s it! I’ll be back next week.