By If you aren’t hiding under a rock, then you know about the amazing talent that is writer, actress, and director Issa Rae. Issa and her team have changed the game in Hollywood, with content that proudly tells our sometimes oblivious television networks that Black people are LIVING. Black people do EXIST!
One of her talked about projects is the hit series Insecure.
HBO’s comedy series Insecure follows the character Issa as she navigates her day to day life and relationships. Topics explored within the series vary from the ups and downs of dating to career mishaps to friendships to societal issues.
I’ve heard a few people on my social media timeline say that they can’t ‘get into the show’ because of its awkwardness. As if the life we live in itself isn’t awkward depending on the day. Think about that random encounter you had with someone on the elevator. Or the weird conversations with friends who keep up drama. Or swiping your debit card and having the cashier tell you it’s declined. Or the fake office banter among colleagues at work.
I could go on and on.
Issa Rae and the writers of Insecure capture these moments and present it to us in a way that allows us to laugh at ourselves while learning valuable lessons at the same time.
The show, which premiered on August 12th is on its 3rd season started with a bang and within a few short episodes demonstrated that recurring themes will center around self-sabotage, misguided life choices, self-awareness, and possibly even growth.
There are so many reasons I could give for you to watch this series. But, I will explore a few that makes this show special to me.
ART IMITATING LIFE:
Think of how many people can relate to those painfully awkward and intense interactions? Issa captures these exchanges so brilliantly, with vivid cinematography to boot.
LESSONS ON LESSONS:
It takes a really great writing team to give you scenes that make you chuckle at familiarity but in the same breath reflect on the realness of the situation. A good show makes you think. A good show has instances that cause you to hold a mirror up to yourself and analyze your own behaviors and attitudes. Just when you think that you’re watching a simple scene, the underlying messages sneak up and slap you in the face. The fact that they can pack so much into one episode is amazing to me. Issa, we really need more tv time.
THE MUSIC:
From season 1, I immediately picked up on how dope the soundtracks are and how skillfully the songs are paired with the scenes. If you haven’t checked it out, go to Spotify and bless yourself. Each soundtrack is great to listen to in the background chilling on the weekend or if you’re immersed in some creative work. When I come across really good soundtracks, I realize how much I have been taking music for granted. It truly is a balm to the spirit.
THE CHARACTERS:
You can really see yourself (or someone you know) in the characters from Insecure. One of my favorites is Kelly because she is never afraid to point out the elephant in the room. You also see how women can remain friends EVEN when they are at different phases of their lives. Yes, it is wonderful to see a group of friends thrive all at the same time. But the reality is, in a group of friends, one may be in the midst of divorce, the other may be sleeping on couches, the next one could be successful but lonely, and the last one could be settling for her mate. What matters is they are there to lift each other up in good times and bad.
S H A R E Y O U R T H O U G H T S
Those who have seen Insecure, what are your impressions of the series? Who do you relate with the most? Why does Issa consistently make bad decisions?
What do you think?