Insecure Season 3 Ep. 5 Recap: 'High-Like'

Photo: HBO

Well, that all escalated quickly. But with the foursome of Issa, Molly, Kelli and Tiffany, Coachella and the promise of an iconic Beyonce performance, did we really expect anything less? After beautifully exploring Issa's interior life in last week's 'Fresh-Like," the series concerns itself with more carnal, comedic pleasures in "High-Like," with laugh-out-loud results. Seriously, I don't think I've ever cackled at an episode of Insecure this much. Kelli's epic tasing and pants pissing alone deserves multiple viewings.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. Though her "L.A. Day" with Lyft bae Nathan, took of much of the episode, "Fresh-Like," concluded with Issa at last quitting We Got Y'all. Since then she's been driving for Lyft full time, and while it's never dilvuged exactly how much coin transporting creepy dudes and cute lesbian couples to where they need to go is bringing in, it's clearly enough--along with her property manager gig--to afford a trip to Beychella. Meanwhile, Molly appears to be working her alliance with Taurean, managing to get a word in edgewise as they present an update on a case to the partners. But, just as I predicted, Taurean starts cutting her off and sucking up all the oxgyen in the room. Ever the go getter, she volunteers to finish up a brief over the weekend, even though her girls and Queen Bey await her in the desert. Issa manages to guilt her into going by convincing her she can turn up and do her work, and it's off to Coachella.

Besides Beyonce, the premise for the girls' trip is giving Tiffany one last hurrah before she becomes a mother. However, the next morning, when Issa's all clanging pans and "Beyonce or bust bitches!" she's toasts only to Tiffany, not, as she puts it "the fucking baby." Then there's the Captain Obvious fact that Tiffany can't really drink or smoke because she's pregnant. She also can't ingest any edibles, as the rest of the crew does once Issa accidentally-on-purpose runs into Nathan at a pool party and his boy Julian gives them some Molly. By the time they arrive to the concert she's less a friend and more like everybody's mama, explaining where the exits are and stressing they need to save their spot in the crowd. But since everyone else is high as fuck, that doesn't happen. Instead, Molly lays down her jacket like it's a protective circle and Kelli and Issa head off with their men.

Just as the Molly made Molly spill all her emotional tea about 'Dro to Julian (or as she called him, "the black one." High Molly's a little racially insentitive) the drug helps Issa break out of her awkward shell. After bluntly asking him why he's been out of touch, Nathan admits he thought he came on too strong, and didn't want to be perceived as pressed. However, Issa is all about that pressed life, and after an impromptu freestyle, the two head off to the ferris wheel. While Nathan admits he's terrified of heights, Issa confesses she's terrified of what's going to happen now that she's quit her job, despite her outward nonchalant attitude. But Nathan reassures her she'll be fine. Aww, even while high and afraid, he's still supportive. Just then, the ferris wheel gets stuck, and Issa decides to introduce Nathan to the mile high club, as they get down with the get down under neon lights.

Down below, things are decidedly less erotic, as Kelli and Molly return to find their "spot" taken.  After being scoffed at for thinking such a thing as spots existed by some festival veterans, Kelli snatches a white girl off her man's shoulders. Molly and Julian pick their combatants, and it's on, as a helpless Tiffany attempts to douse them all in water. I mean what did that distilled H20 contain? Sobriety? Common sense? Clearly not, because next thing you know the girls are being escorted out, just as the crisp snare drums signaling the start of Beychella cut through the night sky. Kelli, high and undettered, screams "Beyonce or bust bitches!' before being brought low by a taser. How the mighty have fallen.

Things go from bad to worse once they all return to the house. Molly, who got notes back from the partners about her brief, is furiously typing on her laptop, certain Taurean is swooping in to save the day and take all the credit, while Kelli, pissed about being "left alone to battle the whites in the field," seethes on the couch. Meanawhile Tiffany, who had a bite of a weed brownie ("Don't judge me!") is crying to Derrick in a closet. In a moment of lucidity, Issa snatches Molly's laptop way from her, tells Tiffany to get out of the closet, tells Kelli to stop staring at her like she wants to kill her and suggests they all go to sleep so the drugs can wear off.

The next morning, during a trip to the store, Tiffany confesses she's been feeling left out ever since she became pregnant, and isn't as sure as Issa their friendship won't fall apart. It's the first time we've Tiffany, a woman who has gone to great (at times obnoxious) lengths to stress how perfect her life is, express any vulnerability. I like that the uncertainty is left to hang in air, with Tiffany staring intently out the window, lost in her own thoughts as Issa goes inside. Friendships evolve, and many eventually dissolve, not because of a falling out, but beecause you simply outgrow one another. It's easy to be joined at the hip at 18 or 22, when your world revolves around going out and involves little to no responsibility. But once careers, 401ks, marriages and kids start to enter the picture, things change.

Speaking of change, a one-two punch hits Issa and us as she walks to the counter and asks for an alkaline water. "Is-motheruckin'-sa" Chad says, pettily sipping on a drink before calling over guess who? Lawrence! Here comes an awkward greeting...aaaaaand scene! So what to make of Lawrence's return? I'm not sure. After much (logical) explanation by Issa Rae and the rest of cast that Lawrence's depature made sense because the couple had reached closure at the end of season two, what use does the show have for him now? I'm really more interested in seeing how her relationship with Nathan will evolve than watching her retread old territory with Lawrence.

On the other hand, the man she encounters is not the depressed creator of Woot Woot she cheated on in season one. Nor is does he come across as the wounded ex she fought then made up with last year. Also, Issa has made peace with her past infidelity, and is no longer deluding herself with aspirations of a ho phase.  While she made a big deal about her and Daniel finally being able to explore a romantic relationship, perhaps she and Lawrence are the ones entering a new phase?

I don't know. All I know is things just got a lot more complicated.

Other Thoughts:

• I had a feeling the ladies wouldn't get to see Beyonce in the flesh. But that's ultimately beside the point, as they ended up creating new memories they can laugh about years down the road. I mean, I still would've preferred to see Beyonce, but you know best friends and all that.

• Much as I love Kelli's savage, NC-17 humor, her quest for dick is always thrwarted by either too much alcohol (season one's "Broken As Fuck"), or in this case, too much Molly and alcohol. If Issa can take a ride on the ferris wheel in more ways than one, why can't Kelli stay focused or conscious long enough to get some?

• First procreating squirrels in the walls, now bed bugs? Trina smokin' on that good good. But she don't fuck with ghosts.

• Molly never did find her jacket.

Those One Liners Tho'

• "You know who makes no sense? Or dollars? You."

• "Mais qui bitch!"

• "Imma fry your face you bang those pans one more time!"

• Molly" "I'm Molly." Julian: "And I'm Percocet?"

• "This closet is so well organized!"

• "It's residual tase rage bitch!"