'One of the best series of all time' with 'best sex scenes on TV' streaming now

A fresh series titled Too Much landed on Netflix this summer, and as it picked up steam, telly enthusiasts couldn't resist giving its 'big sister' show, written by the same writer and director, a massive revival.

Originally aired in 2012, folks are starting to recall just how much they adored the TV programme Girls, with one critique dubbing it "one of the best, most realistic series ever."

As a wave of shows flood streaming platforms, more viewers seem to crave a good laugh and relatable characters, and according to reviews, Girls delivers just that.

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"Hilarious", "generation-defining", "realistic" and "cathartic" are all terms used to characterise this TV programme, which delves into the lives of four young women residing in New York over six action-packed seasons. Lena Dunham, the mastermind behind the show, who also portrays the lead character Hannah, aimed to offer what she believed was a genuine depiction of these girls' experiences in ways that were considered controversial.

The HBO series is renowned for offering fresh insights into body politics, feminism, and female sexuality, and in doing so, presented a narrative about a younger generation that many had yet to see on their screens, reports the Express.

A Rotten Tomatoes review said: "Lena Dunham's HBO series quickly became one of the most divisive topics on television, with some people calling it an authentic and transcendent look at the contemporary 20-something zeitgeist, while others called it a whitewashed fantasy from an overprivileged young lady."

They went on to suggest the programme would be "generation-defining television", regardless of which viewpoint you subscribe to. "There's just no denying that Girls carries a feeling to it that's sweet, raw, self-degrading and playful all at once that is seen so rarely in American television," the critique additionally observed.

Another reads: "So precisely correct in all of its earth-grounded themes and with characters so honestly performed, Girls is a strong TV series that marks the indie power in our time."

Meanwhile another critic said: "The first season was really interesting, and the fact that I relate to Hannah with her current circumstances in her life is frighteningly relatable."

It wasn't merely the programme's audience that considered it worth watching, but the entertainment industry itself continues to acknowledge its influence. Throughout its broadcast period, Girls scooped a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series Musical or Comedy alongside a British Academy Television Award for Best International Programme.

The telly show continues to receive high praise, featuring in Rolling Stone's 2022 list of the '100 Greatest TV Shows'. Plus, Variety has also included Girls in its list of the greatest TV series of all time.

An NPR critic summed it up perfectly: "Even when Girls infuriated me, it always moved me," highlighting just how polarising the series could be. However, die-hard fans insist that the show only improves with each season.

One viewer said: "Dunham stepped the game up even more so for the second year of Girls, making it even more psychologically rich and adding some very fruitful layers to the characters. Also, I feel the show beats Game of Thrones for having the best sex scenes on TV."

After binge-watching season three, another fan wrote: "One of the best seasons of one of the best shows of this decade. It would succeed on the incredibly assured script alone; however, the acting and tone help this show transcend the genre of 'comedy' that it has been fitted with and transform this show into a profound and candid perspective on life."

If you're keen to find out which 'Girl' you most identify with, all six seasons are ready for you to dive into. For your next easy-to-binge watch, you can stream all episodes of the HBO show on Now TV.