Girls – Hello Kitty

By: Ruth Anrep

This episode titled Hello Kitty retells the story of the death of Kitty Genovese through a play that Adam (Adam Driver) is acting in. Let’s take a brief history lesson for those who are unaware of Kitty Genovese. Ms. Genovese was sadly stabbed to death in 1964, outside her own apartment building. If not horrible already, her murder was also heard by a number of her neighbors who did nothing. All of these neighbors assumed someone would help so it would be pointless for them to interfere, thus making them “silent bystanders.”

Hello Kitty opens up with Hannah (Lena Dunham) being dragged to the Principal’s office, yet again, as multiple staff members have been complaining about her. Apparently, Hannah has been abusing multiple teachers in class and basically over sharing her personal opinions on the staff members she dislikes. Sitting in an above the knee skirt, Hannah does the only thing she thinks will get her out of this mess – she pulls a Basic Instinct and spreads her legs. Yeah, she’s not wearing any underwear either. Well, she’s committed that’s for sure. As you’d expect, the principal has no idea how to react, making Hannah’s plan a success, as she is not longer in any trouble.

While Hannah is retelling the principal’s office story to Fran (Jake Lacy) on the way to Adam’s play, he is absolutely fuming that she basically flashed their boss. Hannah does not understand why Fran is having this reaction, considering she doesn’t think it was such a horrible thing to do. It wasn’t sexual and it got her out of trouble. This fight continues all the way to Adam’s play. Hannah really wants to talk about this rather than go to a play and Fran just wants to go inside.

Once inside, the play is introduced to the group, explaining the story and that they would be taking ton he role of a silent bystander. As everyone moves to view the different rooms of the silent bystanders, Hannah tells Fran that she wants to discuss things and tells him that she wants to break up. It’s also very clear that Hannah has not told Fran about the woman she had sauna sex with while away with her mother. A conversation that needs to happen as well, but for now Fran doesn’t want to make a scene in public so they go in separate directions for the play.

Hannah ends up with Ray (Alex Karpovsky) in a room where two women are acting out a sibling spat. Soon Marnie (Allison Williams) interrupts, insults the play and drags Ray out of there to tell him that her and Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) have broken up. Ray wants Marnie to tell him she broke up with Desi for him and Marnie is looking for some kind of reaction from Ray. Neither one is budging and they return to the play.

Marnie and Hannah venture to the room where Adam is acting, as the murder of Kitty Genovese is occurring outside. Following the screams of Ms. Genovese, Hannah leans out the window to see what’s happening to her. Here she notices Jessa (Jemima Kirke) across from her, watching Adam with complete adoration. Seeing the way Jessa was looking at Adam finally allows Hannah to clue into the fact that Jessa and Adam are together.

Hannah brings Marnie into another room to have a breakdown about what she just saw. The insults are flying and Hannah asks Marnie if she knows anything multiple times, but she insists she doesn’t because she’s had the minor thing known as a divorce on her mind.

Desi then randomly shows up to announce that his and Marnie’s song is going to be used in an episode of “Grey’s Anatomy.” It’s their big break! Meanwhile, Hannah is trying to bury herself further as she pretends none of this is happening.

After the play finishes, Hannah and Ray are standing outside and Hannah is visibly upset. Fran approaches Hannah to fix things between them and that’s when Adam and Jessa appear in the street. Hannah congratulates Adam on his performance and Jessa gives an awkward “Hey.” After this brief encounter, Jessa and Adam just stumble and walk away from Hannah.

Fran tries to calm the situation as Hannah cries and my heart breaks. He reaches his hand out, which is harshly slapped away by Hannah. Though Fran is shocked to have her do this, Hannah apologises to him and offers her hand back. Fran takes her hand and they walk away.