At its core, Broad City is a show about female friendship. Abbi and Ilana’s friendship is the beating heart of the series, and their bond is refreshingly genuine and unbreakable. Unlike many other female friendships depicted on television, Abbi and Ilana aren’t catty or competitive with one another. Instead, they lift each other up and celebrate each other’s successes.
The show is also notable for its depiction of New York City. Ilana and Abbi don’t live in the glitzy, glamorous parts of the city. Instead, they live in small apartments in working-class neighborhoods and navigate the city’s public transportation system. This grounded portrayal of the city gives the show a sense of authenticity that’s often lacking in other portrayals of New York on television.
One of the most striking things about Broad City is its humor. The show is unapologetically raunchy and absurd, with the humor often coming from unexpected places. For example, one episode features Abbi getting her wisdom teeth removed and attempting to navigate the city while heavily medicated. The resulting hijinks are both hilarious and absurd.
However, Broad City isn’t just about laughs. The show also tackles serious issues, such as race, gender, and sexuality. In one episode, Ilana’s boss hires her to do some cleaning in his apartment, but she quickly realizes that he’s using her for his own sexual gratification. The episode ends with Ilana seeking revenge by stealing something from his apartment, but the fact that she had to resort to such drastic measures in the first place is a sobering reminder of the pervasive sexism that women still face in the workforce.
Another standout episode is “Citizen Ship,” which deals with Ilana’s citizenship status. She was born in America but her parents are Israeli, and her green card is about to expire. The episode is both hilarious and poignant, with Ilana cycling through various emotions as she grapples with the idea of potentially being forced to leave the country she’s called home for her entire life.
Overall, Broad City is a fantastic show that’s well worth watching. It’s funny, heartfelt, and refreshingly honest in its portrayal of female friendship and life in New York City. If you’re looking for a show that will make you laugh and think, then Broad City is definitely worth checking out.