Ep 2. The Date

Annie is back with a banging new episode of Shrill season 1, and this time we watch her grow as a person in The Date. The episode begins with Annie and her roommate Fran discussing the pros and cons of Annie's decision to try dating after her breakup with Ryan. While Fran tries to cheer her up, Annie is still understandably nervous and unsure if she's ready to get back into the whole dating scene.

Despite her reservations, Annie decides to give dating a shot and signs up for a dating app. Her experience with the app is, predictably, disappointing: guys she matches with are either rude or only interested in hooking up. However, things take a positive turn when she matches with a seemingly sweet guy named Jake. They hit it off and make plans to meet up for a date.

Annie is excited but also nervous, not wanting to come off as too eager and scared that Jake is only interested because of her size. She confides in Fran, who tries to reassure her that Jake seems genuine and that she should go for it. Meanwhile, Annie tries to figure out what to wear for the date, going through different outfits before finally settling on an all-black ensemble that makes her feel confident.

As she makes her way to the date, Annie starts to second-guess herself. She worries that Jake might not be who he says he is or that he'll reject her once he sees her in person. However, when she arrives at the bar and sees Jake waiting for her, she realizes that he is just as cute in person as he seemed in his profile.

The two hit it off immediately, with Jake being kind, attentive, and interested in getting to know her. While Annie still struggles with insecurities, she starts to relax and enjoy herself as the night goes on. From learning about Jake's love of brewing beer to discussing the intricacies of modern dating, the two seem to hit it off well.

As the night progresses, the couple decides to leave the bar and get some fresh air outside, where they share a sweet kiss. Annie is surprised but thrilled by the gesture, feeling that she might have found someone truly interested in her. However, things quickly take a dark turn when Annie is harassed by a group of men who make fatphobic comments and try to intimidate her and Jake. The situation is uncomfortable and upsetting, but Jake is a true gentleman, standing up for Annie and showing his support for her.

With the date over and the memory of the incident still fresh in her mind, Annie is left wondering what comes next. Will she continue to see Jake, or was this one-time date just a fluke? While she's unsure of what the future holds, she knows that she's grateful for having had this experience. She's also learned an important lesson about the ways that society treats plus-size people, and she's ready to fight back against the haters.

Overall, The Date is a beautifully crafted episode that captures the ups and downs of modern dating-as a plus-size woman. Annie's journey towards self-love and acceptance is touching and relatable, and her chemistry with Jake is palpable. While the date doesn't go exactly as planned, it's clear that this experience is a turning point for Annie-and for Shrill as a whole.