‘Harlem’ Season 2 Is The Feel-Good Binge You Need
If you haven’t heard yet, this weekend was all about the second season of Amazon Prime’s Harlem, and it was a good time. The series jumped in and answered many of the questions left in the wind from the first season, and it's a fun set-up for what’s to come. What I enjoyed most about it is that it touches on personal struggles that many of us deal with in a way that feels funny and lighthearted.
What happens when your best friend is dating someone new and it could affect your friendship? Or what’s it like when you have an image of yourself but realize your actions don't align with it? That can be a lot to take in. But the Harlem crew does it with flair – okay, maybe not flair. But the girl gang definitely makes us feel like we're not the only ones going through life's crazy moments, and that I can appreciate.
Wanna know more? Here are 5 things we enjoy about the start of the new season of Harlem. Spoilers ahead.
The Eye Candy
While walking down the street, Angie (Shoniqua Shandai) meets a faux psychic who promises she will “make love to the most handsome man in New York and wonderful things would follow.” It doesn’t take long for her to put this theory to the test, and it’s fun to be a fly on the wall as she tries it out. It starts when she ditches the crew and leaves with a handsome pedicurist. Later, when she’s in his room, it's clear they had great sex and even decide to go for an encore. But it still doesn’t deter her from flirting with his roommate and suggesting he meet her “identical twin.”
Spoiler alert: she doesn’t have a twin, but they don’t know that.
The Feels
I love romance, and there’s nothing like a genuine connection. When we see Quinn (Grace Byers) and Isabela together, their passion is unmistakable. Quinn is her normal quirky self and understandably feels nervous about her first “lady date” (her words, not mine), but Isabela seems to like her all the more for it, and it leads to more than eight orgasms and a beautiful chemistry worth rooting for. Unfortunately, it gets complicated as things progress.
Camille (Meagan Good) is on a mission to right her wrongs. She attempts to get her job back only to re-quit. Also, she officially breaks it off with Jamison after he admits to staying in NYC for their relationship. Camille even accidentally faces Mira, who rightfully calls her out on her selfish decision to kiss Ian the night before their wedding. Still, through all of their mess, you can’t help but smile when Ian (Tyler Lepley) and Camille are together. “You are the man I want to be the best for and the one who's seen me at my worst.” When she said that to him, I think I actually said “aww” out loud. You just can’t help but root for them and their messiness.
The Accountability
Honesty is the best policy, and while the girls may struggle with it in their actions, they count on each other to hold them accountable. When Tye (Jerrie Johnson) reveals her surprise husband alluded to the fact that she has issues with commitment, the women don't deny it. In fact, later, when Quinn and Tye are in the sex store, she even bluntly asks her, “What are you so scared of?" It noticeably affects Tye, and she quickly avoids the question. Real friends care enough to hold you accountable. Harlem was a friendly reminder of that.
The Authenticity
In the words of Issa Rae, I’m rooting for everybody Black, and I appreciate that this show continues to show varied dynamics of multilayered Black women. From the fashion and beauty looks to the conversations and careers, you can tell Black women are not only in front of the camera but behind it, and I'll always support that.
The Sisterhood
Lastly is the characters' connection, which might be my favorite element of the series. As unique as the women are, their bond is beautifully the same. We all deserve a tribe that encourages, empathizes, and supports us. Harlem shows this in such a genuine and relatable way that reminds me of how blessed I am for my own tribe.
Harlem is streaming now on Amazon Prime.
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Feature image by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Prime Video
- ‘Harlem’ Star Jerrie Johnson On The Act Of Self-Choosing & Following Her Desires ›
- 'Harlem' Presents A Refreshing, New Take On Black Male Bisexuality ›
- 'Harlem' Star Robert Ri’chard Talks His Biggest Dating Deal-Breaker ›
- Meagan Good Stars In New Comedy About Best Friends In Their Thirties Still Trying To Figure It Out ›
Kirby Carroll grew up in VA but now calls Atlanta, GA home. She has a passion for creating content and helping brands grow through storytelling and public relations. When not immersed in work, you can find her sipping a mimosa at brunch or bingeing a new TV drama on Netflix. Keep up with her on social media at @askKirbyCarroll.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Tyler James Williams Explains Why His And Quinta Brunson 'Abbott Elementary' Characters Should Remain Friends
While Abbott Elementary fans are hoping that Janine and Gregory end up together, the show’s star has another take. Tyler James Williams plays Gregory on the Emmy award-winning sitcom, and he recently stopped by The Jennifer Hudson Show to share his point of view on his storyline with Janine, which Quinta Brunson plays.
“I hate to say it. I know that everybody’s always mad at me for this. I don’t necessarily want to see them together,” he revealed. “It’s partially an actor’s choice, but also somebody who, like, I read a lot of scripts all the time. I watch a lot of TV, a lot of film. I don’t think that we see displays of platonic love between two people often. I think it’s really easy to go right to they have feelings for each other, therefore they should be together. I like this dynamic of exploring withholding that and just actively loving each other where they are. That I like to see more.”
If you recall, they were co-workers who became friends but were secretly crushing on each other. They’ve had many awkward run-ins during and after school, like the unforgettable club scene where they were dancing nervously with each other in season one, and in season two, they finally kiss. However, it only made things even more awkward, and they decided to just be friends. Tyler further explained why he thinks it’s important to showcase that type of relationship on screen.
“I think it’s time for that. I think TV allows people to see things that could be their lives for the first time, and I think seeing a healthy friendship that is deeply caring about one another in a work atmosphere needs to be shown more than the relationship,” he concluded.
Abbott Elementary comes on every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST on ABC.
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Feature image by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
