Girls – The Panic In Central Park

By: Ruth Anrep

The episode begins with Marnie (Allison Williams) and Desi (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) sitting on their bed in their half renovated apartment. Marnie is on her laptop with headphones on while Desi plays guitar and stares at her. You are able to pick up on the annoyance radiating from Marnie’s entire body. It turns out the two have been fighting for hours and Marnie is trying to get some space from Desi. After another brief argument and some more crying from Desi, Marnie decides she’d rather be anywhere else and leaves.

Marnie catches a train to what appears to be the end of the line, considering she ends up walking in what looks to be a very run down neighbourhood. While strolling through this place, a group of rough looking guys begins to catcall Marnie except one just says “Hey.” It’s her ex, Charlie! Charlie (Christopher Abbott) was Marnie’s boyfriend when the series began. He was a technology wizard with curly hair who broke Marnie’s heart when he randomly dumped her, told her he never loved her and said that the only thing she’d be was somebody’s wife. Ouch. He’s a lot different now as he’s bigger, looks like a biker and has developed a weird Brooklyn accent.

Charlie is giving off some serious bad vibes, but Marnie still talks to him. Perhaps during her struggle to find herself this episode it seemed easier to talk to Charlie and go back to who she used to be than face who she is now.

During their conversation Charlie explains that how he treated Marnie was just a reflection of what he was going through at the time. It turns out his father had committed suicide and that really messed up Charlie.

He invites Marnie to a party and before you know it, they’re looking for a party dress together. They pick out a pink sparkly dress. Charlie throws some cash at the cashier and they head up town to the Plaza Hotel.

It becomes clear at this “party” that Charlie is now dealing drugs – specifically, cocaine. During his deal with a client, Marnie talks to the gentleman’s partner? Girlfirend? Lady companion? Well, anyway, the gentleman returns and asks Marnie to accompany him and the woman back to their hotel room. Marnie goes along with the insinuation that she’s a hooker and ends up getting $600 from the man and promised to meet them upstairs in an hour. This is the kind of Marnie I can get used to.

After spending her fake hooker money on some serious pasta, they walk through Central Park. Marnie confesses that the majority of her album is about him, not Desi – a/k/a/ I’m still not over you breaking my heart; now in album form. While in the park, they steal a boat and paddle out to the middle of the pond. It’s very romantic and nostalgic and the two end up kissing. However, the boat tips over and Marnie just stays under water for a while until Charlie pulls her up.

After their midnight swim, the two share a seat on the subway, drenched but happy. As they’re walking back to Charlie’s apartment, they get robbed and Marnie loses her jewelry, bag and wedding ring. This is not even seen as a huge deal as the two return to Charlie’s apartment and he asks, “What if the last few years were a bad dream and we just ran away?” This appeals to Marnie, as there’s nothing in her life she cherishes enough to miss. The two end up having sex and falling asleep. I couldn’t help. but think about how worried Desi would’ve been considering Marnie wouldn’t have come home.

However, the next morning things are different. The appearance of the room is rougher than the street Charlie lives on. When Marnie picks up Charlie’s pants a heroin kit falls out and a hello to Marnie’s wake up call. Marnie tries to confront him, but he clearly lies saying he’s diabetic. Marnie leaves with the only thing she has left, her pink dress. When she gets home, Desi is sitting on the staircase, waiting for her. They both can tell it’s over just by looking at each other and Marnie says, “I knew I shouldn’t have married you.: They both have their own things to work out and their relationship is just done.

Marnie is now left alone to truly find herself.