markaaron-97974 "Girlfriend's Guide to Divorce" has been something of a guilty pleasure for me. I see its flaws, I get its limitations, I sometimes find its characters just too trying, and sometimes I'm just plain bored. But just like the characters who find Abby, the lead, lovable despite her all too apparent flaws, I've stuck with it and mostly enjoyed it. It's just "off" enough to be interesting.The opening episode of season 5, the final one, has rewarded my dogged fealty with one of the best written season openers I've ever seen. It does everything you would want an opener to do--deal with the exposition in an interesting and innovative way, remind you of why you've been watching by reestablishing the characters and their storylines, but most importantly, setting up new directions for the show to go in order to justify yet another season. There's so much packed into this episode, so much is thrown at the characters (and us)--major life changes occur and major new conflicts are set up--and it pulls it all off with aplomb.How do the writers pull this off? By using a formally innovative approach. Form is the way a story is told--the way it's structured, the way it's approached, in effect, the way it's composed. This episode jumps around in time (something that's become very trendy and gimmicky these days and often doesn't really work) but in a very precise way and it also shifts the point of view among the main characters (This, in the writing biz, is called polyphony). So we have time-shifting and polyphony. (Only gifted writers need apply).It opens at a glamorous media event complete with a red carpet and the whole gang's there. But then we see Delia in distress and Abby, Jo , and Phoebe drop everything to come to her aid.Then, immediately we jump back to six months earlier. And Abby's in bed with--oops, no spoilers here, you'll have to watch to find out. We then go through the highlights of the previous six months of her life leading up to the glamorous media event. Step and repeat with each of the other main characters in turn. There are even a few of the very same scenes (where all the main characters are present) in each of the character's 6 month highlight reel so we eventually see that scene through each character's POV, and each time we learn something new.Finally we circle back to the beginning and we're at the media event and now understand what's going on for each of the characters and why Delia is in crises mode.But before this is fully resolved we jump to the next day (the present) and major life changes occur, new conflicts occur, new storylines develop and a new season is set up. And we've hit the ground running.In one episode we see all this and somehow it all makes sense. This is great writing. Clearly, Girlfriend's Guide is going out in style.

deedeelink-618-846401 I enjoyed the first season of this show but then found it increasingly hard to like. The characters become caricatures: narcissistic, impulsive, juvenile and self-destructive. The concept of being independent women is a laugh, they are like boy crazy, giggling adolescents. They all have money to burn, fabulous clothes, great houses, but it is like frosting on a mud pie. Someone decided that Abby has great shoulders and therefore exposes them and her highlighted clavicles in every single wardrobe change. Even when she wears a pashmina stole she exposes her shoulders. Has no one ever heard of air conditioning? It is cold inside! Also, the way she minces about on what must be painful footwear is pathetic, she looks like she has a gait disorder. Phoebe's history as a supermodel is less than believable. She has a great body but it is not until the later seasons that her dental reconstruction is complete. This is not part of the plot, just impossible to ignore. Her bitching about her (autistic) husband interfering with her career is hilarious. Truly she has delusions as to what a career actually entails. Jo's vulgarity and crudeness cannot be continually excused by her saying, ad nauseum, that she is Puerto Rican. How offensive! The most heroic character is poor cuckolded Graham. He is decent, loving, handsome amd kind and Delia humiliates him with her torrid office affair. At least he has the stones to resist her attempt at reconciliation. The wonen become more strident, stupid and out of control with each season. The show does make me very glad that none of my friends even vaguely resemble them.

jenniferjbarnas It's a good mindless show. Kind of what I thought about SATC. All about #firstworldproblems. All about the latest fashions. People with lots of money. Girlfriends who ALWAYS have time to see each other despite careers, kids and ex-husbands, LA traffic and lovers. LOTS of lovers. Wearing heels with everything. A lot of unrealities. But maybe not in LA.One thing: I REALLY dislike the fuchsia lipstick that they are trying so hard to push! What's up with that? It's a horrible color and they put it on everyone, including the 14 year-old daughter, Zoe, who used to be the most put-together character on the show.Too many similarities with SATC. Main character is a writer with anxiety issues and totally self-absorbed. Has a group of girlfriends with distinct personalities who are always available, and equally flawed. They are always dressed to the nines and I never see them wear anything twice. Did I mention a little unrealistic?But it's one of those shows that I can put on when I need a break from reality.

Fernanda Rodriguez Torres WHY? Abby is such an awful friend, horrible love partner and honestly a pretty mediocre mom. I find this show amazing, specially if you have ever dealt with divorced parents, friends or even yourselves. Phoebe, Delia and Jo are really strong characters and the way they all bring a different vibe, energy and personality to the mix of friends is great! Personally Delia is my favorite!