Reasons We Loved Watching TV in 20128 of 14
In a year that women probably won't be heralding as a high watermark for the politics of gender, let us not forget that it also marked the rise of a remarkable new creative voice in Lena Dunham creator and star of HBO's "Girls (2012)". Yes, the show suffered some very early and ferocious backlash from those who were not ready to embrace a central protagonist who brazenly veered between self-absorption and self-loathing, questioning her confidence and often writhing with the angst that comes with the package of being young, unestablished and broke in one of the most expensive and fabulous cities in the world. Where other TV series with characters like these might have left viewers overwhelmed with annoyance, however, Dunham's portrayal of Hannah, as well as the performances of the supporting ensemble, was impressively nuanced and often had us laughing with her at the absurdity of her life choices. She is not afraid to make Hannah unlikable at times, just as she's fearless about writing her other characters into terrible choices driven by unapologetic selfishness. These details are what made "Girls" feels honest, a new and yet familiar flavor after more than a decade of being served a candy buffet of "Sex and the City (1998)" influenced-froth. Yes, that was fun, and when it was good, it was great. But these days, a view of reality -- even as it is played out by the entitled children of the well-off -- feels a lot more satisfying.