The Book of Rannells: Girls: Season 3, Episode 11 – “I Saw You” (2014)

You can see the writing on the wall for a couple of different plots here, especially Hannah and Adam’s, but it overall feels more understandable than predictable.  Given who these characters are, I can totally buy that this is where they’re heading.

It’s another strong dose of work drama mixed with relationship drama.  Hannah, in addition to feeling like Adam’s focus on the play is pulling him away from her, is further disillusioned with her own job, which she fears is keeping her from creative expression (I don’t think it’s a coincidence that this latest existential crisis is incited by a follow-up interview with Patti LuPone – the diva knows how to get to Hannah!)  In other news, Marnie is also experiencing some job disillusionment, but she’s apprehensively hoping that her first open mic performance will lead to better things.

Hannah is the sort of trainwreck that you can’t quite look away from.  Her self-sabotage, both personally and professionally, can be seen coming from a mile away, but she can’t stop herself.  There are some cringingly-painful scenes here, in which the depths she plumbs aren’t entirely to be believed.  Believe it, though, ‘cause she just keeps going.  I get the strain she’s under, worrying over her relationship while simultaneously looking at Adam’s success and wondering where her career is heading (she at one point utters the phrase “sweatshop for puns,” which is a great description of her office.)

I’m not the biggest fan of Desi, and the whole “I’m soulfully into you, did I mention I have a girlfriend?” thing he was going on in this season is definitely one of the reasons why.  As such, I’m not as interested in the stuff with him and Marnie.  Marnie’s other plot is better, dealing with her day job.  It involves Jessa dropping by and having what seems to be a quintessentially-Jessa moment – which, as it happens, appears to be almost the polar opposite of a quintessentially-Marnie moment.

Some fun scenes with Elijah in this episode.  In the lead-up to Marnie’s open mic night, he does a hilarious impression of Marnie’s “performance style,” and even better, he finagles his way into accompanying Hannah to meet with Patti LuPone.  Everything about this is delightful, beginning with his starstruck reaction when she first acknowledges him and just going on from there.  On a side note, I wonder if Andrew Rannells had a chance to meet LuPone back during the height of the Book of Mormon craze/that Tony season, or if this was the first time.

While Elijah meeting Patti LuPone is every bit as fun as it ought to be, I actually enjoy the preceding scene even more, where he and Hannah are arguing over whether he should be allowed to come.  Her list of conditions for him to follow is great (i.e., don’t talk, don’t touch her stuff,) and his responses are better (“What if I just touch, like, one Tony?”)  Tons of fun.