Are you a messy twentysomething woman who is just trying to figure life out? Finished Sex and the City and in need of something to fill that romantic dramedy-shaped hole in your heart? HBO’s Girls is the solution. In case you’re unfamiliar with the classic — created by the ever-talented Lena Dunham — the series follows a group of women (because calling them a “friend group” feels too generous) navigating life in their 20s, post-grad and all. The group includes Hannah, Marnie, Shoshanna, and Jessa — women who are all equally unconventional and flawed in different ways. (I’m a total Marnie, for what it’s worth.)
Girls, at its core, is a testament to womanhood. The series depicts the reality of navigating friendships, especially after graduating college and discovering who you are. It’s also known for its very honest and very raw portrayal of romantic relationships. What makes Girls timeless is its ability to not shy away from embarrassing moments, but lean into them. The series is known for how it blends its biting, raunchy comedy into its romantic moments, especially its sex scenes.
Looking to cringe, laugh, and cry? Girls will have you accomplish all three with just a single episode. In case you’re looking for that extra push to start an unforgettable journey, aka watching Girls, I have just the thing. Here’s a look back at just some of the most wild and cringy sex scenes in Girls (because God knows there are too many to fit on this list).
- Shoshanna & Matt (Season 1, Episode 4)
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Shosh is on a mission to finally lose her V-card, and when she is *so* close (with none other than Pitch Perfect’s Skylar Astin), it doesn’t happen. After she tells him that she’s a virgin, he replies that virgins are “really not [his] thing.” Even when she tries to salvage it, calling herself “not an attached bleeder,” he doesn’t budge. So, really, this is the sex scene that almost was.
- Marnie & Charlie (Season 1, Episode 5)
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College sweethearts Marnie and Charlie call it quits after her internalized resentment of him is exposed when he finds her roommate Hannah’s journal. After efforts to win him back, the two end up having some make-up sex. During, Charlie tells Marnie the things she’ll have to do better once they get back together, and an “I love you” warrants Marnie bumping her head against the bed’s loft. If that wasn’t bad enough, afterwards, Marnie instantly announces that she wants to break up. And the award for shortest relationship goes to…
- Hannah & Adam (Season 1, Episode 5)
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Hannah and Adam are broken up (question mark) at this point, yet she goes over to his place anyway (in typical Hannah fashion). Meanwhile, Adam is masturbating, and Hannah says that she’s leaving… until he asks her to stay until he finishes “for the story.” The two exchange some degrading dirty talk and Hannah ends up getting money out of him at the same time. ($100, mind you.)
- Shoshanna & Ray (Season 1, Episode 10)
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At last, Shosh loses her V-card to Ray — an unlikely pairing that I (and many other watchers) was obsessed with. Before the pair does it, Ray goes on a spiel about how it’s “a lot of power” and he isn’t sure that he deserves to “teach” Shosh how it’s done. Of course, that “power” isn’t enough to stop the two from having sex.
- Marnie & Booth Jonathan (Season 2, Episode 3)
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Typical sex with an artsy douche. Marnie has been fantasizing about Booth Jonathan (real name, BTW) since she was still tethered to Charlie in Season 1. When the two finally have long-awaited sex, Booth puts an artsy-spin on it, pointing out a doll in the room and instructing Marnie to look at it and describe it. Total mood-killer.
- Marnie & Charlie (Season 2, Episode 9)
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Think you haven’t seen Girls? You’ve definitely seen the video of Marnie singing “Stronger” (whether against your will or not). After her cringeworthy music debut at Charlie’s app launch party, the two have sex in his total tech bro office. Interesting turn-on, to say the least.
- Adam & Hannah (Season 3, Episode 10)
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Who doesn’t love some good ‘ol roleplay? In efforts to spice up her sex life with Adam, Hannah dons a platinum blonde wig and speaks in an old-timey accent. She initially plays the role of a wife, tired of her husband, before switching up the part the moment they get to bed, which Adam says “doesn’t make any f*ckin’ narrative sense.” Love a man who cares about consistency.
- Marnie & Desi (Season 4, Episode 1)
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Marnie, get away from artists of all forms, girl. Desi, despite having a girlfriend, motorboats Marnie in the kitchen. When Desi says, “I love that,” Marnie replies, “I love you, too.” Just writing this made me cringe, but watching it? I had to pause and take a five-minute break.
- Marnie & Charlie (Season 5, Episode 6)
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I live for this episode of Girls, so maybe I’m a tad biased. This episode occurs years after Charlie and Marnie’s breakup. She’s now married, albeit unhappily, and he’s now a heroin addict. Nevertheless, the two share the day together and end up having sex in his… um… pretty scrappy apartment. It’s sad and sweet all at the same time, and it’s the final push Marnie needed to end her marriage.
- Jessa & Adam (Season 5, Episode 4)
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This god awful pairing deserved their rightful place on this list. After angst, tension, and mutual masturbation (yep), the two finally give in to their carnal desires and it’s… awful? Adam asks, “Is this what bad sex is like?” and, why yes, it is. Even after they change positions, there’s no use. Maybe a sign that their pairing was beyond wrong, but hey! That’s just me.