‘Girlfriends’ Guide to Divorce’ Review: Abby Has Lots of Sex With Her Ex in Season 2
As we rejoin the show that makes divorce look a lot sexier than it usually is in real life, “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” Jake and Abby are having secret sex. Abby (Lisa Edelstein) wants this second time around to be different because “We’re different, right?” Not quite, as Paul (Paul Adelstein) still hasn’t worked up the nerve to tell Abby that he impregnated his former girlfriend, CW starlet Becca. The second season kicks off with “Is this marriage worth saving?” We’re guessing the answer to that question will be “no” or the show’s title will need to change.
High-powered attorney Delia (Necar Zadegan) has agreed to marry Gordon, one of her clients at the law firm, but she adamantly refuses to be a trophy wife, and she wants to elope. Gordon wants a big wedding so she flips the script on him and gives him the number of a wedding planner, telling him, “Just tell me when to show up – just so I don’t have to make any decisions.” This is an intriguing story point as it’s great to see a working woman who doesn’t immediately turn into a Bridezilla the moment she gets engaged.
The best addition to the show is Retta as Barbara, Abby’s new managing editor at lifestyle website SheShe, where Abby is hired to be “The Face of Divorce.” Barbara is a fellow divorcee, but her experience is very different from Abby’s and she immediately makes her disdain of Abby clear. The tension between the two is sharp and immediate. Props to Retta for changing gears after her considerably more light-hearted turn on “Parks and Recreation.” It’s great to see her tackle a more serious role. She’s a formidable foil for Abby, which makes us wonder what will happen when they have to work together.
Also in the Season 2 premiere, Abby and her book editor, Kat (Jean Smart), network at a star-studded party including Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Kyle Richards. Phoebe (Beau Garrett) writes a revealing op-ed about her life as a young model and Jo (Alanna Ubach) focuses on opening her vegan bakery to take her mind off of Zooey’s trip to see Frumpkis (Maury Sterling) and his wife in Kentucky.
Returning faces and guest stars in season two include: Carrie Fisher who returns as Abby’s book agent Cat, Megan Hilty (“Smash”) as Charlene, a southern belle who is married to Jo’s ex-husband Frumpkis, played by Maury Sterling; Mark Valley as confident and charming TV personality Dr. Harris, who pursues Abby, and Will Kemp (actor/dancer who got noticed when he danced in a Gap ad years ago) as Scott, a charismatic, off-beat, handsome vegan baker at Jo’s shop. Barry Bostwick and Lesley Ann Warren also guest as Abby’s parents George and Dina.
“Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” is worth watching this season because Marti Noxon and company are moving beyond Abby’s first taste of sexual freedom and addressing more of the harsh realities divorce entails. The guest casting alone makes the show watchable and Lisa Edelstein’s Abby continues to be an engaging, appealing catalyst for the show’s stories.
“Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” returns Dec. 2 at 10 p.m. on Bravo.