Every single millennial thinks that their city is the 'loneliest city in America,' but nothing compares to Los Angeles's grand isolation. LA stretches for over twenty miles in each direction and requires that its citizens drive nearly everywhere. As dreamers in the city of angels drive to auditions, they are forced to interact only with themselves. Compared to New York where public transportation and interaction are essential, LA seems to make the lonely more lonesome.
This is the premise of "Sweet Nothings," a web series about a twenty-something woman who has just broken up with her long-term boyfriend.
Named Melody, 'Mel' for short, she tries Tinder dating and, through a twist of fate, meets her new best friend Erin, the roommate of one of her awful beaus. Sometimes your significant other isn't the person you are sleeping with.
'Sweet Nothings'' bad-ass feminism
Mel and Erin navigate the messy Online Dating world in a hilarious, honest way over the course of the series' six episodes. Each episode ranges from three to nine minutes and is jam packed with hilarious dialogue and relatable situations. The series is produced by Princeton alumni Taylor Mallory and Matthew Marder and Wesleyan alumnus Alissa Goldberg. Written by Mallory and directed by Goldberg, the show has a feminist flare that hardly goes unnoticed.
Throughout the series, Mel is forced to confront societies unspoken rules for women - don't have casual sex and don't be desperate.
As she starts to realize that casual sex is okay for women, Mel starts to take ownership of her sexuality, gaining confidence along the way. In episode four, Mel and Erin go to Mel's sister's house for dinner. There, Mel's sister slut-shames her. This confrontation is incredibly important, showing that women are just as guilty as men are when it comes to sex-shaming.
On the other hand, women are also seen as desperate if they sleep around too much or get attached too quickly. This oxymoronic standard forces women to constantly walk a line of objectivity. In "Sweet Nothings," Erin sleeps with whomever whenever. However, when she starts to get attached to one of her hookups, Erin seeks guidance from Mel, terrified of making herself vulnerable.
Their strong friendship exemplifies what it means to care about someone else, taking them for what they are and helping them overcome individual hurdles.
How to watch 'Sweet Nothings'
"Sweet Nothings" is a wonderful foray into single female millennials' sexuality. It is witty, clever, and filled with truth. To see the show, search "Sweet Nothings" on YouTube or go to the sweetnothings Website. The show also has its own Instagram and Facebook account.
It takes about thirty minutes to binge-watch the entire series, and, trust me, you will be begging for more once "Sweet Nothings" ends.
