When it was originally on: 2016-2021

Original network: HBO

Where you can stream it now: HBO Max

Had I seen it before: I remember giving this one a shot back when it first came on but I don’t have any real memories of the story or characters.

What IMDb says: Follows the awkward experiences and racy tribulations of a modern-day African-American woman.

Why I picked it: I mentioned in my Girls review how the ’10s saw the rise of the half hour character study: these auteur driven shows that weren’t exactly dramas or comedies, at least not how we traditionally thought of them. Insecure burst on the scene once the genre was a bit better defined and audiences knew what to expect. So, I thought it’d be an ineresting to add in addition to Girls (read my review of the Girls pilot here)

What I liked: Issa Rae has great charisma on screen, the kind of effortless charm you just can’t teach to people who don’t have it naturally. There’s a warmth to her performance and this character that makes you root for her even when she’s making questionable decisions.

I also love the friendship between Issa and Molly. It just feels so… lived in? You buy that these two love each other and have known each other for years and have chosen to stick it out as platonic life partners even though their lives have taken such different directions professionally and romantically. Both are highly likable, but they also have the kind of friendship where they’re not afraid to call each other on their bullshit. That helps create conflict and move the story forward, not just in this episode but probably every episode from here on out. Even in more antagonistic moments, neither feels like a true antagonist. At the end when they’re actively mad at each other, you still feel like you understand where both are coming from.

This intimate friendship also helps to externalize the characters’ internal struggles. As the name of the show suggest, Insecure is most interested in relatable human flaws that don’t automatically lend themselves to huge dramatic moments. It’s about feeling bored and unsatisfied with your life but not knowing how to change it. It’s about the tension between wanting to make bold moves that could finally give you the life you’ve dreamed of, and the fear of the unknown. The fact that the show has a such a strong friendship as its foundation means that there’s endless room for Issa and Molly to share anxieties about the world; call each other out when they’re not being honest with themselves. It provides a pathway for the show to explore the themes it’s actually interested in.

What I didn’t like: I can’t really think of any true negatives with this one.

Do I want to watch Ep. 2?: Not really. This is another instance where the pilot is objectively good, but I’ve never really felt compelled to keep going with these half hour character studies. I love TV as a form of escapism, and Insecure is perhaps too real to provide that, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad show.