Season 3 of The Sex Lives of College Girls has already experienced significant character shifts, including the departure of a main character and the introduction of two intriguing new faces. In a heartfelt moment during the second episode, we bid farewell to Leighton (Renée Rapp) as she made the life-changing decision to transfer to MIT. Almost immediately, Essex assigned a new roommate to Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott), Bela (Amrit Kaur), and Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet). In the very next episode, they welcomed Kacey (Gracie Lawrence), who has already carved out her own narrative arcs and undergone notable character development, enriching the dynamics of the group.

Another fresh addition to the main cast is Taylor (Mia Rodgers), who serves as Bela’s Freshman FAF mentee and quickly becomes her confidante. The changes have been substantial, especially regarding the romantic entanglements of the girls within just the first five episodes. Kimberly began the season in a relationship with Canaan (Christopher Meyer), only to have a whirlwind romance with Eli (Michael Provost) that began and ended within a short span, showcasing the fast-paced nature of the series.

Whitney appears to be on the brink of a budding relationship with Isaiah (Devin Craig), while Bela is seemingly embarking on a new romance with Arvind (Nabeel Muscatwalla). Initially, Bela’s relationship with Arvind promised to be a slow-burn romance filled with tension and anticipation; however, The Sex Lives of College Girls seems to have hurried into another pairing, leaving viewers yearning for a deeper exploration of their chemistry.

How ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ Derailed Bela and Eric’s Potential Romance

As Season 2 commenced, it seemed that The Sex Lives of College Girls was laying the groundwork for a captivating slow-burn romance between Bela and Eric (St. Denis Medical‘s Mekki Leeper). However, by the conclusion of the first episode, viewers were treated to a kiss between the two. The subsequent episodes saw them engaging in a non-exclusive arrangement before finally solidifying their status in “Taking Shots.” While this initial step was exciting, the swift trajectory of their relationship was disheartening, and the abrupt ending was even more disappointing. In the very next episode, “Dopplebanger,” Eric made a career move that undermined Bela’s ambitions, leading her to betray him in a desperate bid to reclaim her opportunity.

The Sex Lives of College Girls has consistently struggled with pacing, and this relationship exemplified the show’s tendency to overlook the development of a slow-burn pairing. Although Bela and Eric were not a flawless couple, they exhibited considerable potential, particularly as their competitive dynamic presented an engaging obstacle for their relationship. This narrative could have easily been extended over another season or two, providing ample material for character growth and emotional depth.

Regrettably, within just one episode of solidifying their relationship, Bela’s infidelity shattered the bond. The following episode revealed Eric’s discovery of her betrayal, resulting in a swift breakup. Given the show’s focus on romantic relationships, the short-lived nature of Bela and Eric’s connection failed to resonate emotionally. Their breakup should have elicited feelings of devastation, yet the rushed timeline rendered it ineffective, leaving viewers uninvested in their fleeting romance.

Why ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ Missed the Mark with Kimberly and Canaan’s Slow-Burn Romance

Canaan and Kimberly represented a prime opportunity for a slow-burn romance, particularly due to the subtle yet compelling connection they shared. They began as coworkers, quickly forming a friendship that had the potential to deepen. The show appeared poised to maintain this platonic dynamic, especially after Canaan’s brief relationship with Whitney. Other major pairings in The Sex Lives of College Girls progressed rapidly, including those of Leighton and Alicia (Midori Francis), Kimberly and Nico (Gavin Leatherwood), and Kimberly and Jackson (Mitchell Slaggert). Even Bela and Eric exhibited clear chemistry from the onset.

However, Kimberly and Canaan were so firmly established as friends that transitioning them into a romantic relationship would have required thoughtful development and time. Instead, the series hastily rushed their pairing within a few episodes, only to essentially undo it in the very first episode of Season 3. In “Sex & Basketball,” Kimberly began to question her feelings for Canaan during his awards gala, but rather than allowing these feelings to simmer, the show had her break up with Jackson later that same episode and kiss Canaan in the subsequent episode, “The Rooming Lottery.”

The hurried pacing and poor timing ultimately shifted the focus of Kimberly and Canaan’s romantic arc to the betrayal of Whitney, leading to an immediate breakup at the start of Season 3. The narrative framed their relationship as having spent the entire summer apart, with the extent of their connection primarily being that single kiss from the Season 2 finale. It is crucial for the show to revisit this pairing in the future, allowing for a more gradual and thoughtful development. As it stands, Kimberly and Canaan serve as yet another example of The Sex Lives of College Girls repeating its past mistakes.

Related

Bela and Arvind: The Latest Missed Slow-Burn Opportunity in ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’

The Sex Lives of College Girls introduced Arvind early in Season 3 as a potential love interest for Bela. The revelation that he was in a relationship added a layer of complexity that had the potential to evolve into a captivating romantic narrative. Bela’s previous lack of romantic yearning set the stage for a compelling storyline, especially after “Franklin the Fox,” where she demonstrated maturity by stepping back from a romantic connection due to her unreciprocated feelings for Arvind. Unfortunately, the show’s pacing once again undermined the chance for a deeper exploration of this romance.

In his first episode, Bela quickly developed feelings for Arvind, only to discover he had a girlfriend. By the end of the very next episode, he informed her of his breakup. Following that, in “Parents Weekend 2,” Bela and Arvind’s relationship progressed rapidly. Given the series’ established patterns, this relationship is likely to fizzle out within a handful of episodes. If the show continues on this trajectory for the remainder of Season 3, it will be challenging for viewers to invest emotionally in any of the girls’ romantic arcs, as they tend to unfold too quickly without sufficient development.

New episodes of The Sex Lives of College Girls are available for streaming every Thursday night on Max. WATCH ON MAX

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Release Date

November 18, 2021

Cast

Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Alyah Chanelle Scott, Renika Williams, Christopher Meyer, Ilia Isorelýs Paulino, Reneé Rapp, Mekki Leeper, Betti, Lauren Spencer, Sierra Katow, Isabella Roland, Gracie Lawrence, Mia Rodgers, Midori Francis, Gavin Leatherwood, Cheyenne Perez, Mitchell Slaggert, Conor Donnally, Scott Lipman, Maya Rose, Charlie Hall, Rob Huebel, James Morosini, Sherri Shepherd, Amanda Ripley

Seasons

3

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