HBO Max's The Sex Lives Of College Girls almost aces its sophomore run

More than anything, HBO Max’s The Sex Lives Of College Girls thrives on having a good time. If the first season demonstrated that by taking full advantage of its college setting, the second one amplifies it, allowing the young protagonists to enjoy a giddy post-high school phase of freedom while discovering sexual preferences, career goals, and permanent friendships. Four suitemates at Essex University juggle strikingly relatable identity crises, but a “study hard, party harder” thesis helps the show stay lighthearted. TSLOCG tries to be evocative and feminist with mixed results, but overall, the new episodes (six of 10 were screened for review) remain just as entertaining as ever.

The series avoids a sophomore slump because co-creators Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble embrace the qualities that made the show successful. Chief among them is the connection between the leads. Bela (Amrit Kaur), Leighton (Renée Rapp), Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), and Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) find depth in their bond despite differing backgrounds and upbringings, and the actors’ easygoing chemistry helps sell TSLOCG’s main premise. While their individual storylines in season two range from redundant (sorry, Kimberly) to compelling (like Whitney’s surprising arc), any scene with all four of them exchanging banter stands out.

Season two kicks off just as the girls return from Thanksgiving break and reunite in their dorm. And they’ve come a long way after only one semester as roommates. Unlike in the series premiere, now there’s just relief when they greet each other after spending time with their families. (Leighton had to continue pretending she’s into guys, while Kimberly got dropped off by her parents via a 39-hour road trip from Kansas.)

TSLOCG then settles into a familiar space of witty repartee, sex jokes, and physical comedy as the episodes continue. The structure is similar to season one, but there’s nothing wrong with carving out and building on a specific comedic sweet spot. (It’s called a “comfort watch” for a reason.) And the show’s humor comes from their desire to live it up while making the most of their Ivy League education. Unfortunately, after Kimberly exposed a cheating scandal at their usual frat hangout, the group is banned from their events. They make it their mission to find a solution, including throwing an elegant stripping soiree. Again, TSLOCG isn’t ashamed of frivolous collegiate revelry, and it’s all the better for it. (Plus, it’s refreshingly not as over-the-top as Gossip Girl.)