Marnie’s wedding makeup mishap (episode 5.o1)
As Marnie’s hired makeup artist (a hilarious Bridget Everett) horrendously misinterprets the bride’s preferred “Laurel Canyon classic” aesthetic as “Selena Gomez meets Jesus,” Jessa (Jemima Kirke), of all people, steps in to save the day. It’s a rare moment of maturity from the most flightly and undependable of the quartet, and the girls have a rare moment of showing how much they actually love each other.
Charlie returns (Episode 5.06)
As Marnie (Allison Williams) seeks time and distance from Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), she unexpectedly runs into Charlie (Christopher Abbott), the boyfriend who loved her deeply and then abruptly dumped her. Over the course of the night, the duo’s ups and downs leads to a major revelation for Marnie — and one of the most powerful episodes “Girls” ever.
Marnie and Desi breakup (Episode 5.06)
After her night with Charlie, Marnie realizes she has no choice but to break up with Desi and end their marriage. He hilariously replies she has no life experience, and, “You’re just gonna get murdered, Marnie.”
Post-breakup Marnie (Episode 5.07)
As these self-centered friends attempt to talk out their personal dramas, Marnie utters one of the season’s most memorable lines in answer to Hannah (Lena Dunham) trying to engage her in gossip about whether Adam (Adam Driver) and Jessa are sleeping together: “I’m too busy Yelping divorce lawyers to care about the sex lives of our second-tier friends.”
Adam’s play (Episode 5.07)
As Adam acts in an interactive play about the murder of Kitty Genovese, a completely wordless scene is pulled off flawlessly as Hannah confirms, through the way Adam and Jessa look at each other from across a courtyard, that her best friend and ex-boyfriend are indeed together.
Jenny Slate does Lena Dunham (Episode 5.09)
As Hannah reconnects with an old friend/nemesis, Talley (Jenny Slate), perfectly mirrors Dunham’s own experience with fame, and how it could adversely one’s own life.
Ray’s anti-hipster cafe (Episode 5.10)
As Ray (Alex Karpovsky) struggles to contain his anger against the very hipster coffee shop that’s opened up across the street from his own, Shoshana (Zosia Mamet) steps in to save the day by making their Brooklyn establishment something totally new — a place for people with jobs and no man-buns.
Jealousy (Episode 5.10)
As Adam and Jessa had the most epic of meltdowns, Hannah went the complete opposite route, showing a level of maturity and self-awareness in sharing the story in front of a Moth Story slam audience. Her calm demeanor and raw honesty was a departure for a character who leans more toward narcissism. This girl is definitely growing up.
