This episode was loud—and triggering.
Warning: There are a few minor spoilers below. Watch the premiere episode here if you haven’t seen it before reading.
Insecure, Issa Rae’s 30-minute HBO comedy series, returned this past Sunday for its fourth season. Seeing as though my ramped up consumption of TV and film has been my escape in this new normal of isolation, it truly came at the right time.
The opening scene is a foreshadow, leading with Issa saying on the phone, “Honestly, I don’t fuck with Molly anymore.” Once we were taken back four months to see what would transpire between them, I knew we were bound to witness another painful breakup in Issa’s world.
Although Issa and Molly affirmed that they’ll both hold each other accountable during their Selfcare Sunday yoga session, it’s clear that they may not be ready for that kind of realness. Issa seems like she’s floating and directing her energy towards making her block party a reality in the midst of unemployment and a questionable dating life. Molly makes it clear that her work is draining her, despite us seeing her efforts to stand out at all costs in season three. Andrew is also still in the picture, with Molly claiming they’re “just having fun.”
Not to give away too much for those who’ve yet to catch up on this episode, but we see hints of Molly and Issa’s friendship become rocky since that Sunday, while Issa’s relationship with Condola—the public relations wiz who happens to be dating Lawrence (Issa’s ex of five years)—begins to blossom. But once Issa and Condola realize that Lawrence is their mutual connection (smh, Tiffany), their promising business and personal relationship is now in question. They both pull off the mixer they collaborated on to solicit block-party sponsors, albeit uncomfortably.
Meanwhile, Molly drives with Andrew to support Issa’s mixer, snarkily noting, “Today may be a little homegrown, but she’s trying.” Her energy shifts when Andrew makes it clear that he’s seeing other people. Instead of using her words and communicating that she’s over “having fun” with him and would rather elevate their relationship, she claims that she’s seeing other people and that it’s cool he’s doing the same. While Issa is busy working through the things that could possibly go wrong at her event while also trying to impress Sheryl from Diageo Molly’s main concern is trying to get Issa’s advice on Andrew.
The moment in this episode that still sticks with me is the clean-up scene after the mixer. Molly hangs back to help Issa and to avoid Andrew. After Issa shares that she exceeded her sponsorship commitment goals, Molly extends a shallow congratulations. Issa asks what’s wrong and Molly shares that she thinks she’s done with Andrew. “I’m letting go of whatever doesn’t serve me.” Seeing right through that declaration, Issa tells Molly that she needs to be real with herself and that she indeed likes Andrew. Molly then asks Issa why she didn’t tell her about Condola and Lawrence, expressing that she finds it weird that Issa’s still working with her despite their relationship. After Issa brings up that Molly didn’t pick up her call to talk about it, Molly says, “You know your life don’t have to be this messy, right? Sometimes I think you like that shit. I’m just trying to help you be real with yourself and hold yourself accountable.”
This episode was loud—and triggering. I’ve dealt with a fair share of Mollys and have even caught myself being her. The same goes for Issa. Not making the best life decisions, functioning in mess, projecting one’s insecurities and issues on those who care and swimming in a lake of self-sabotage are all real challenges we face while adulting. Seeking reassurance and support from a close friend who expresses such in the way one needs, and experiencing their slip-ups in pivotal life moments are reminders of our humanity. Seeing this interaction is a reminder that we can get caught up in our own worlds, not realizing how being self-centered impacts our friendships. This marks the shift of Molly and Issa’s friendship and is a reminder of what not to do when your friend needs empathy and an ear.
We ultimately know that series and writing like Insecure that is just entertainment. But what Issa Rae and her team have been able to accomplish over the past three seasons is to weave scenes that are a reflection of what we go through in real life with what makes good TV. With nine episodes to see how Molly and Issa’s friendship unfortunately regresses, we’ll see if that relatability still holds true.
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Antoinette Isama is a dynamic multimedia culture journalist and editor. Her expertise lies in the intersection of African youth culture, arts, and the diaspora. She’s currently the co-founder of FourTwo Creative, a newly-launched agency of African women building culturally-relevant brands that thrive in the digital space. Keep up with her on Twitter and Instagram.
