The Watch Party

HBO’s Insecure is back, hitting the ground rolling with the awesome first episode “Better Like”. Insecure is the millennial show reflecting the head-spinning dynamics of modern dating while anchoring the importance of friendship. And, it is unapologetically Black. I love the series for all of this and more. It doesn’t shy away from exploring the imperfections of the characters, so I went into Season 3 anticipating some major shifts for the characters and their relationships. This is adulting season! Come Sunday evening, I was watching Ep. 1 ‘Better-Like’ in a room filled with Insecure fans and couldn’t have dreamed of having more fun.

The Insecure Watch Party, hosted by Brunch 2 Bomb, was the perfect way to kick-start this season. The Parlor was an amazing venue, it was filled with people inside getting drinks from the bar, sitting at the tables and booths, and outside on the spacious patio conversing with the vendors. No matter where people were stationed, TV’s and projectors were all around so everyone could have the perfect peek at the episode. I still sat front and center before the DJ Benjamin Walker’s booth. To share space with my people from all over LA felt special and heartwarming, especially when the episode started and we all laughed at Issa’s antics or bumped along to the jamming soundtrack.

A highlight of the evening was meeting Tristen J. Winger. He portrays “Thug Yoda,” Issa’s neighbor when she lived in Inglewood. Yet, he’s been with Insecure even before it was the hit HBO show. Winger played Darius in Issa Rae’s Awkward Black Girl  Youtube series. The actor brought Darius to life and made me laugh every time he threw shade at J, Rae’s character — so it was far more than a delight to meet him.

Before the episode started, Winger thanked everyone for supporting Insecure since the beginning and shared how he loves and supports Issa Rae and other thriving Black women.

Favorite Moments of Episode 1

I felt like the first episode of Season 3 truly delivered on the ‘know better, do better’ message Issa Rae stated would be the main focus of the series. I liked that Molly was the character to mention it, this really signified that she has turned a new leaf. We see Issa and Molly doing their best to stick to the decisions they’ve made. The episode also satisfied some of my hopes for the season: exploring the relationship between Daniel and Issa. It seems like this season we will get to know more about Daniel and I’m interested in learning more about Issa and Daniel’s past as childhood friends and where they may go.

Even if you aren’t caught up with Insecure or have never watched the show — you can tune into the episode just for these moments. Spoilers ahead, of course.

1. The first scene is killer. I could hear a collective groan at the Watch Party as everyone thought the main character, Issa, was sleeping with Daniel. I couldn’t help it either. I felt that if they were sleeping together right off the bat then their relationship was just going to be like it was in Season 2. I for one want them to actually date, at least like a trial run. But, the bait-and-switch had everyone rolling laughing when we saw Issa’s annoyed face.
2. I loved when Daniel is at the studio and a singer is in the booth, getting way too into her song.  This ‘weak’ artist, as Daniel put it, was played by professional singer and performer Dawn Richards— she’s been featured in the Insecure soundtrack. Richard was hilarious — playing into the role of an overconfident artist wearing squeaky latex pants too. The moment was the perfect little quip, poking fun at the music industry.
3. Molly setting things straight with Dro. Throughout the episode, her attitude was like a breath of fresh air to me. It’s great to see Molly stand up for herself and obviously making improvements in her self-esteem when it comes to men– Dro specifically since he’s kind of her soft spot. I don’t know if this is all vacay-vibes Molly, but I think it’s a great move for her character.
4. Issa showing LA some love, saying “we don’t LA bash in this lyft” and then a fight breaking out in her Lyft was outrageous and fantastic! In the moment, she listed out all the issues of LA: finding a parking space, the high risk of getting a ticket- so I loved that all she could do was scream. Too funny! 

Overall, the episode was everything you’d want in a premiere. It had all the exciting moments, answered some of the questions fans were left asking last season and packed a whole lot more wild and funny moments than expected. I think this season is going to be strong, maybe even the best to come. I can’t wait to see where the characters go, and how they grow since this is glo up season in Insecure.

Many thanks to Brunch 2 Bomb for organizing the event and The Parlor for being the perfect venue and host!

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Best,

Kai 😀