Ep 4. Nina's Birthday

In the fourth episode of the third season of Portlandia, titled "Nina's Birthday," the focus is on Nina, a free-spirited woman who is celebrating her birthday with her friends and family. Throughout the episode, we are taken on a series of adventures with Nina as she experiences the highs and lows of her special day.

The episode begins with Nina and her friends going out to brunch to start off the festivities. At the restaurant, she orders a "fro-yo mimosa" and gets into a playful debate with her friend over whether or not it's appropriate to use the term "YOLO" in everyday conversation. From there, the group goes on a shopping spree at a vintage clothing store where they try on outrageous outfits and crack each other up with their witty banter.

As the day wears on, Nina starts to feel the weight of her age and the expectations that come with it. She has a heart-to-heart conversation with her mother about getting older and feeling like she's not where she thought she'd be in life. Nina's mother reassures her that everyone feels that way sometimes and that it's okay to take time to figure things out.

Later, Nina meets up with her ex-boyfriend, who she's still trying to get over. They have an awkward conversation where she tries to play it cool, but ends up revealing that she still has feelings for him. He responds with a vague answer and she leaves feeling even more confused than before.

Despite these setbacks, Nina pulls herself out of her funk and decides to make the most of the rest of her birthday. She and her friends go to a bar and start singing karaoke, which leads to an impromptu dance-off with a group of strangers. The night ends with Nina feeling happy and fulfilled, surrounded by the people she loves.

Throughout the episode, the quirky and absurd humor that Portlandia is known for is on full display. The interactions between the characters are over-the-top and often surreal, but they're grounded in a heartfelt exploration of what it means to grow older and navigate adult relationships. Nina's Birthday is a charming and entertaining look at the ups and downs of life that everyone can relate to.