Ep 1. Better-like

Insecure season 3 opens with episode 1 titled "Better-like". The episode picks up from the last season's finale and follows the life of Issa (Issa Rae), who has just quit her job at We Got Y’all and is looking for new opportunities. Issa is struggling with her current financial situation, juggling multiple part-time jobs to make ends meet. She also has to deal with her waning relationship with Lawrence (Jay Ellis), who has moved on with a new job and a new girlfriend.

Issa's best friend, Molly (Yvonne Orji), is also making moves in her own life. She has just accepted a new job at a prestigious black law firm and is excited about the opportunities it presents. However, as she begins to navigate the new work environment, she quickly realizes that fitting in isn't going to be as easy as she thought. She soon finds herself clashing with her new colleague, a seemingly entitled and condescending lawyer named Quentin (Lil Rey Howery).

Meanwhile, Issa is trying to find a sense of purpose in her own life. She attends a spoken word event with her brother, Ahmal (Jean Elie), where she is inspired by the performances of the young poets. Issa decides to start volunteering at a non-profit and even tries her hand at writing her own spoken word piece. However, as the episode progresses, Issa begins to feel like she's not living up to her own expectations. She compares her life to the seemingly perfect social media posts of her ex-boyfriend's new girlfriend and feels like she has yet to truly find her place in the world.

As Issa navigates her new volunteer job, she also has to deal with the added stress of her brother's wedding. Her overbearing and judgmental mother (guest star Lisa Joyce) is putting pressure on Issa to find a date to bring to the wedding, despite her not being in a serious relationship. Issa's insecurities around her love life and her overall sense of self-worth come to a head as she struggles to make sense of all the changes happening in her life.

The episode ends with a sense of hope as Issa performs her spoken word piece at an open mic night. Despite her nerves, she receives an overwhelmingly positive response from the crowd. This moment highlights Issa's strength and resilience, as she continues to push forward and pursue her passions.

Overall, the "Better-like" episode of Insecure sets the tone for the rest of the season, with its exploration of identity, self-worth, and the challenges of navigating personal and professional growth. Fans can expect more relatable and authentic storylines from the hit HBO comedy-drama series.