Season 2 Episode 4

 

Summary: The plot in episode 4 highlights Abbi and her relationship with her neighbor Jeremy and the relationship between Ilana and her mother. Ilana’s grandmother died, so her mother wanted to get presents for the family before the funeral. 

 

Masculine Traits:

  • Willing to take risks:
    • Ilana and her mother go look for counterfeit bags in NYC, and the journey to find them is very mysterious and dangerous. The market is underground and very illegal, so it is a major risk to get involved.
    • While at Jeremy’s, he asks Abbi to do something that makes her uncomfortable however; she asserts herself and does it anyway.
  • Uses harsh language: Ilana and her mother get arrested for possession of counterfeit bags. While they are in the back of the squad car, they cuss out the officers and scream in anger the whole time.
  • Aggressive: Jeremy called Abbi childish, and she responded with her thoughts. She yelled back at him and left his apartment.

 

Feminine Traits:

  • Feminine: Abbi, Ilana, and Ilana’s mom go out for a girls day to get their nails done. They gossip, laugh, and have a traditional experience at the salon.
  • Cheerful: Abbi has been obsessed with Jeremy for months, and they planned to hang out one evening. She is very excited and is giddy to go over.
  • Tender: After the death of her grandmother, Ilana shows emotion and sadness at the funeral.
  • Compassionate:
    • Abbi supports Ilana and her family, so she attends the funeral.
    • Abbi breaks something of Jeremy’s, and feels so bad so she goes out to get another one.

 

Sex role perspective:  This episode demonstrated several feminine stereotypes. The girls enjoyed getting their nails done and showed emotional vulnerability. Despite these feminine traits, more masculine traits were noted. There were several instances of risk taking as well as harsh language and aggression. ‘Broad City’ helps show the audience that women can have masculine traits, but still be a woman and a feminist.

 

Shared by: Meghan Lowery
Image Credit: https://www.pastemagazine.com/comedy/broad-city/broad-city-review-knockoffs/